Tic Tac Toe, also known as Noughts and Crosses, is one of the simplest yet most iconic two-player games. The beauty of this game lies in its simplicity and logic. In this modern take, we’ll explore how to create a Tic Tac Toe Emoji Game—a version that uses emojis instead of traditional Xs and Os. This adds a layer of fun and accessibility for both web and mobile users.
This article will guide you through:
How Tic Tac Toe works
How to represent it using emojis
Step-by-step JavaScript implementation
Game logic: win detection, draw, resets
Expanding the game: timers, scores, AI, and more
How Does Emoji Tic Tac Toe Work?
In this version of the game:
Each player takes turns clicking an empty cell.
Instead of “X” and “O”, players use emojis—commonly ❌ for Player 1 and ⭕ for Player 2.
The game ends when either a player gets three in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) or the grid fills up (a draw).
A restart button resets the game board.
Emoji Representation
Here are the most commonly used emoji characters:
Player | Emoji Symbol |
---|---|
P1 | ❌ (cross mark) |
P2 | ⭕ (hollow circle) |
You can also spice it up with custom emoji characters like:
😄 vs 😡
🐱 vs 🐶
🍕 vs 🍔
The only requirement is consistent turn-based placement and clear visual differentiation.
HTML + CSS + JavaScript Implementation
HTML: Game Grid Layout
Breakdown of Logic
board
stores the current game state.cells
holds the 9 clickable divs.currentPlayer
switches between ❌ and ⭕.checkWinner()
checks all win conditions.disableBoard()
stops interaction after a win.resetGame()
clears everything for a fresh start.
Gameplay Experience
Fast and responsive
Mobile-friendly due to large touch targets
Emoji reactions feel more playful than regular text
Visual win/draw feedback enhances the user experience
How to Extend It
Here are some ways to build upon this game for more engagement:
1. Add Scoreboard
Track wins and display:
2. Single Player with AI
Use the Minimax algorithm for unbeatable AI or a simple random move for beginners.
3. Timer per Move
Add a 10-second timer; auto-switch if no move is made.
4. Sound Effects
Use Audio()
to play a “ding” or “win” sound.
5. Save Game to LocalStorage
Preserve progress between page reloads.
Educational Value
Building a game like Tic Tac Toe helps beginners learn key JavaScript concepts:
Arrays and indexing
Event handling
DOM manipulation
Logic and flow control
State management
It’s also perfect for learning responsive design and CSS grid.
Final Thoughts
The Emoji Tic Tac Toe Game is not just a fun web app—it’s an excellent project to practise JavaScript and UX design. By using emojis instead of plain characters, the game feels modern and engaging. You can scale it up by adding scoreboards, AI opponents, multiplayer via WebSocket, or even port it to a mobile app using React Native or Flutter.