Ladder: 2 Open Source Clones Compared
Ladder is a complete, playable reimplementation available in both Java and JavaScript/HTML5 Canvas, bundled with its own assets. ladder (Go) is a separate, unfinished effort the author calls "a work still in progress": it renders the game as text rather than graphics, since no source code for the original CP/M game survives, and the author had to study its behavior via a CP/M emulator and cross-reference the earlier Java port to approximate its feel.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Semi-playable
- Platforms
- None
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Halted
- Last updated
- 11y ago
- Stars
- 10
- Contributors
- 1
- License
- MIT
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Web
- Play in browser
- YesPlay in Browser
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Sporadic
- Last updated
- 4mo ago
- Stars
- 0
- Contributors
- 1
- License
- GPL-2.0
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoClassic arcade game with original assets included in both Java and JavaScript versions.
| Title | ladder (Go) | Ladder |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Semi-playable | Playable |
| Platforms | None | Web |
| Play in browser | No | YesPlay in Browser |
| Mobile | No | No |
| Project health | ||
| Development status | Halted | Sporadic |
| Last updated | 11y ago | 4mo ago |
| Stars | 10 | 0 |
| Contributors | 1 | 1 |
| License | MIT | GPL-2.0 |
| Compatibility | ||
| Requires original assets | — | NoClassic arcade game with original assets included in both Java and JavaScript versions. |
| Preview | |
Frequently asked questions
Are the Ladder clones on this page open source?
Yes — every clone catalogued here is an open-source project. Availability, license, and development-status details for each one are listed in the comparison table above.
What license do these Ladder clones use?
ladder (Go) (MIT); Ladder (GPL-2.0).
Do I need to own the original Ladder to play these clones?
Ladder runs standalone, no original files needed.
Can I play any of these Ladder clones directly in a browser?
Yes — Ladder has a browser-playable build linked in the comparison table above, no install required.
See the full write-up for each clone, or go back to Ladder.