Hatchling Scramble

Hatchling Scramble is a vibrant, wholesome side-scrolling game about helping baby sea turtles reach the ocean safely.

You have no direct control over the turtles. Instead, you influence the surrounding environment with your actions. (Hmm… does this sound like real life yet?) Turn off bright lights, scare away aggressive crabs, get rid of trash, and clear obstacles left behind by beachgoers to create a safe path forward as the turtles make their way across the sand.

Guide, Don’t Control

The game is built around indirect control. The turtles move on their own, so your job is to watch, react, and protect.

Hazards appear dynamically, which means no two runs feel exactly the same. You’ll need to pay attention, act quickly, and prioritize what matters most in the moment.

There's no combat in this game and the controls are simple, but it does get surprisingly chaotic as the levels progress!

Two Ways to Play

• Story Mode - Progress through levels that gradually ramp up in difficulty. The beach gets longer, the turtles move faster, you'll have more turtles to manage, and the crabs become more aggressive. You only have one life per level so if any hatchling doesn’t make it, you’ll need to start again.

• Survival Mode - Test your reflexes in an endless scrolling beach where the goal is to survive as long as possible and earn a high score. The longer you last, the harder things get, but if you clear enough hazards you’ll unlock power-ups that help you survive just a little longer.

A Small Game With Real-World Inspiration

All of the hazards in Hatchling Scramble are inspired by real challenges faced by sea turtle hatchlings in the wild, including artificial lighting, predators, and debris (both literal trash and items like beach chairs) left behind on beaches.

In reality, very few hatchlings survive the journey to adulthood. This short, approachable, arcade-style game is all about helping them take those very first steps!

Playing Helps Actual Sea Turtles

Hatchling Scramble has partnered with the Sea Turtle Conservancy, the world's oldest and most accomplished sea turtle research and conversation organization. 20% of net proceeds from the game benefit sea turtle conservation by supporting STC's work.

💛 Wishlist & Follow

If you enjoy quick, reactive games… or you just love sea turtles and the beach (or maybe you just have a vendetta against crabs?), wishlist Hatchling Scramble to get notified when it launches!