Roku City is a true landmark of the streaming era, and fans can now interact with it directly through a new Roku City arcade game. The company behind the iconic screensaver has officially taken things a step further with a full interactive experience titled Roku City Dash. This side-scroller, reminiscent of classics like Flappy Bird, is now available for free on all Roku devices.

How to Play the New Roku City Arcade Game

The game is accessible via an “interactive TV” within the Roku City idle screen or as a separate app on the Roku homescreen. After a brief one-time download, players are greeted by a full menu screen and a funky soundtrack. The gameplay is simple: you control a small UFO floating over city rooftops using your TV remote.

To achieve a high score in this Roku City arcade game, players must focus on the following:

  • Navigating through the urban landscape.
  • Dodging obstacles to keep the alien afloat.
  • Competing against previous high scores tracked across playthroughs.

While not a groundbreaking platformer, Roku City Dash offers a fresh take on brand-inspired “idle games,” similar to Google Chrome's Dinosaur Game. In a press release accompanying the launch, Lisa Holme, Roku Media’s Head of Content, stated: “The game is a fun way for us to celebrate our beloved town, build on our platform’s interactivity, and invite users to spend time with Roku in a new way.”

Expanding the Roku City Ecosystem

Many viewers have noticed Roku expanding its idle screen as an advertising opportunity. Buildings have recently featured billboards, and the screensaver was even updated with pink and green hues to promote Wicked: For Good. While Roku City Dash feels like a celebration of the screensaver's lofi vibe, the cityscape still makes space for ads within the gaming experience.

Beyond the new game, Roku continues to expand its streaming presence. The Roku Channel offers one of the best free streaming libraries around, and the company has recently launched:

  • Howdy: A paid, ad-free alternative.
  • Frndly TV: A live TV streaming service.

Blythe is an Audience Development Coordinator who, when she isn't following streaming news, spends way too much time in character customization screens and tracking down collectibles.