Gimkit currently has 16 2D game modes — 15 available for live classroom sessions and one limited to homework assignments. Unlike the classic tycoon formats where students sit on a static screen, these modes put players inside themed maps they can actually navigate. They’re also the only Gimkit formats that generate XP and unlock cosmetics.
What Are Gimkit 2D Game Modes?
In a Gimkit 2D game mode, each student controls a small blob-shaped avatar called a Gim. On desktop, movement uses WASD or arrow keys. On mobile, a virtual joystick handles it. Answering quiz questions earns energy or in-game currency to perform actions — throwing snowballs, casting a fishing line, mining terrain, or attacking enemies.
The modes split into two camera sub-types. Top-down modes use an overhead view where players move in all four directions, similar to classic arcade RPGs. Platformer modes use a side-view camera with gravity and jumping, closer in feel to traditional platform games. Josh Feinsilber, Gimkit’s creator, confirmed all official 2D modes were built using Gimkit Creative, the platform’s sandbox editor released in May 2023.
All Gimkit 2D Game Modes: Top-Down vs. Platformer Breakdown
Top-Down 2D Game Modes
Top-down modes use an overhead camera. Players move freely across the map in any direction and interact with objects by pressing Enter (desktop) or tapping (mobile).
| Mode | Objective & Style | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Fishtopia | Cast lines, catch fish, and sell them for in-game cash. No combat. One of the more relaxed modes on the platform. | Free |
| Snowbrawl | PvP on a compact map. Answer questions to throw snowballs and knock out opponents. Works best with larger groups. | Free |
| Snowy Survival | One cursed player hunts others with a snowball launcher. Tagged players join the hunt. Last survivor wins. | Free |
| Tag: Domination | Team-based zone control. Holding zones generates points over time. Rewards coordination across the map. | Free |
| Capture the Flag | Two teams compete to steal and return the enemy flag. Answer questions for speed and combat buffs. | Free |
| One Way Out | Fully cooperative. Students escape a plant-overrun spaceship by collecting keys and answering questions together. No individual winner — everyone escapes or nobody does. | Free |
| Farmchain | Plant crops, manage supply chains, and trade goods. Slower-paced with an economic strategy focus. | Free |
| Apocalypse | Dungeon crawler with escalating difficulty from “Easy” to “Gimpossible.” Teams fight monsters and bosses across multiple levels. | Free |
| Blastball | Teams launch a ball toward the opposing goal. Answer questions to build launch power. Compact and fast-paced. | Free |
| Diamond Rush | Competitive mining mode. Players race to collect the most diamonds across a minable map. | Pro |
| Cash Tycoon | Resource-gathering mode with economic mechanics. One of the newer additions to the top-down lineup. | Pro |
Platformer Gimkit 2D Game Modes
Platformer modes use a side-view camera with gravity physics. Players jump between platforms and navigate vertical terrain rather than open maps.
| Mode | Objective & Style | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Don’t Look Down | Race to the top of six vertical summits before anyone else or the timer expires. Answer questions to fuel the ascent. One wrong step means a long drop back down. | Free |
| Dig It Up | Mine downward through terrain layers collecting gems and resources. More methodical than combat modes — progress comes from systematic digging. | Free |
| Knockback | PvP platformer where players knock opponents off the map. Answer questions to power up attacks. Mechanically similar to platform fighters. | Free |
| Color Clash | Platformer mode where colored platforms shift state during gameplay. One of the more visually active formats currently available. | Pro |
How to Select a Gimkit 2D Game Mode
The selection process is the same as any other Gimkit format.
- Open the kit you want to use and click Play.
- The mode picker opens — browse 2D modes alongside traditional ones.
- Click a mode to select it. A yellow outline confirms the choice.
- Click Continue in the upper-right corner to launch the session.
Hosts pick a mode manually every time. There’s no auto-selection from previous sessions. If characters or maps fail to render, enabling WebGL in the browser typically resolves the issue. Hosts can also adjust game balance — how much energy players earn per correct answer — through the Game Options menu before starting.
Free vs. Gimkit Pro: Which 2D Game Modes Are Available?
Free accounts get access to most core 2D modes. Gimkit Pro unlocks every mode including Diamond Rush, Cash Tycoon, and Color Clash, plus exclusive cosmetic items. The Season Ticket serves as an alternative to Pro and also unlocks all modes.
XP and Cosmetics in Gimkit 2D Game Modes
XP only generates in 2D formats. Classic, The Floor Is Lava, and other tycoon modes do not award GimBucks or cosmetics regardless of performance.
Students earn three types of Gimkit cosmetics, all exclusive to 2D gameplay: Gim skins (character appearances used in the lobby and in-game), Stickers (stamps placed on the ground or in the air during lobbies), and Trails (particle effects that follow a Gim during movement). Teachers who want to motivate students with rewards should run 2D sessions.
FAQs
How many Gimkit 2D game modes are there?
Gimkit has 16 2D game modes in total — 15 available for live classroom play and one limited to homework assignments. These include 11 top-down modes and 4 platformer modes.
What is the difference between top-down and platformer modes in Gimkit?
Top-down modes use an overhead camera with four-directional movement, like Fishtopia or Snowbrawl. Platformer modes use a side-view camera with gravity and jumping mechanics, like Don’t Look Down and Knockback.
Do Gimkit 2D game modes require a Gimkit Pro subscription?
No. Free accounts can access most 2D modes. Gimkit Pro unlocks every mode including Diamond Rush, Cash Tycoon, and Color Clash, plus exclusive cosmetics not available on free plans.
Can students earn XP in classic Gimkit game modes?
No. XP and GimBucks only accumulate in 2D game modes. Classic, The Floor Is Lava, and other tycoon-style formats do not generate XP or unlock cosmetics.
Which Gimkit 2D game modes work best for large classes?
Snowbrawl and Capture the Flag both perform well with larger groups since PvP interactions stay active with more players. Tag: Domination also scales reliably as team sizes grow.
