Pony Derby

Pony Derby recreates the horse race booth from the fairground. Each rider stands at a wooden ramp with holes worth +1, +2 and +3, and every ball that drops into a hole sends that rider's wind-up tin pony galloping a few steps along its lane. The first pony past the checkered flag wins, and when the runner-up is right behind, the race goes to the photo camera.

Drag up from the bottom of the screen and let go to throw: a longer drag throws further, and the direction sets the aim. On a keyboard you aim with the arrow keys and hold Space to charge. Land three balls in a row and you are on a hot streak, so every hit after that gives one extra step until a ball rolls into the gutter. Rivals build streaks too, so the lead can change hands several times.

The Festival Tour has 120 races across six festivals of 20: a village fair, a seaside pier at sunset, a harvest fair, a lantern night, a snowy winter market and a grand carnival. Each festival adds rules and mixes in earlier ones: a sea breeze that pushes your ball sideways, a golden +5 hole at the very back, a ×2 ribbon hopping between the +2 holes, hay bales that cost a step to jump, back holes that slide side to side, an icy ramp where balls roll further, and slippery tracks where a gutter ball costs a step. Some races swap throwing for a gallop rhythm: tap as each horseshoe reaches the gold ring. Race 10 of each festival is a duel with its champion, race 20 the final, and at the carnival a champion waits every five races.

A few tips: on breezy races aim a little into the wind; on the icy ramp throw softer; a +2 hole under the ×2 ribbon is worth more than a +3; and once you are on a streak, a safe throw that keeps it going is often worth more than a risky shot at the back holes. The aim helper in the settings can show the whole throw arc.

Races pay tickets and up to three stars: win, win by a margin, and land enough balls. Tickets buy plushies for the prize wall in your room, plus pony skins, ball types and stall decorations; some skins come from winning festival finals. A Daily Race pays double tickets on your first win of the day. Signed-in players can also race online in 4- or 8-rider rooms through quick match or a private code, with bots in empty lanes, and practice against bots is always available. It plays on desktop, phones and tablets.

Races give tickets and up to three stars: win, win by a margin and land enough balls. Tickets buy plushies for the prize wall in your room, pony skins, ball types and stall decorations. The daily race pays double tickets on your first win of the day.

In gallop rhythm races there is no throwing: tap, click or press Space each time a horseshoe reaches the golden ring. If you want to see the full throw arc every time, turn on aim help in the settings.