Games design student ‘beats’ Crossy Road with highest possible score

Many of us have played Crossy Road at some point. Maybe you got a rush from hitting 100 points after narrowly avoiding speedy cars and trains… or crashed-out immediately with a mistimed jump between floating logs.

Well, Joshua Beesley from Kent, UK, has now incredibly managed to reach the highest score possible in the game, with a stunning 9,999 points!

Joshua has been breaking records on Crossy Road since 2020, when he achieved a score of 4,195. His journey to the highest score on Crossy Road took years of dedication.

He told us: "I started playing in April 2016. I got to 1,000 a few months later, and then 2,000 a few years after that. I got my first world record in 2020 during lockdown. It then took a further four years from my first world record to reach the max score of 9,999."

Improving in Crossy Road required a deep understanding of the game's mechanics. "Over the years, I have learnt car patterns/cycles and better understanding of how to cross the roads,” Joshua said.

“That way, I can pre-empt what might be coming so I'm better prepared and can make my decisions based on that. As I have improved, it has become easier for me to reach the higher scores. So that meant less pressure and stress as I play the game. I feel I’ve learnt better control of the character. I have become better at decision making and quick planning whilst playing."

His previous best score was 9,699 in early 2023.

Joshua explained: "At the time I was aiming for 9,999 so was a bit disappointed that I didn’t reach it and took a break. In the summer of 2024 I came back to the game with the goal of reaching 9,999 and achieved it after a couple of weeks."

He had a theory about what would happen when he reached 9,999 but didn’t know for sure until it happened. He’d already got there on a different version of the game with an easier scoring system, and as was the case then, the game continued but the counter just stopped at 9,999.

His reaction to finally reaching the top score was different from what he expected. "I thought it would feel like a normal world record, which feels stressful but then excited when you beat it.

“With a normal world record, there's always more and always a higher score to push towards. But after reaching 9,999 it felt like there was no pressure or stress at all. Because I'd reached 9,999 once, there was nothing to 'beat' as that is the maximum possible score. I found it very freeing, knowing I had beaten the game so what happens after doesn’t matter."

Explaining his love for the game, he added: "Crossy Road has a very simple gameplay, which means that anyone of any age or ability can understand and enjoy the game.

"Ever since I started playing in 2016, my aim was to break the world record so when I finally did it, it was a huge achievement and I was very proud of myself."

Joshua’s passion for gaming has influenced his education and he’s currently studying games design at university, and even chose to do an assignment about Crossy Road for one of his modules! He reached out to Matt Hall (one of the game’s creators) and was able to interview him about the game. Matt mentioned he had seen some of Joshua’s videos and was aware of his world records.

Joshua’s timing and concentration skills – harnessed with years of Crossy Road gameplay – have helped him to create his own new games, using coding skills he’s learned via his studies.

For those looking to improve their high-scores, Joshua has some advice. "Start recording your gameplay. It allows you to watch it back and learn from mistakes, see what you did well, and how you can improve different aspects of gameplay. Try to understand how and why you died and what you could have done to prevent it. Find weaknesses in your gameplay and play in ways to specifically target them.

“You need to put in the time but it's also not mindlessly playing. It's important to have a strategy and goal to improve."

Beyond gaming, Joshua is also a dedicated runner. Like with Crossy Road, he’s always keen to improve on his personal best, and recently completed his first ultra marathon!

He also ran a local half marathon to help raise awareness of Juvenile Arthritis Research charity which supports children with arthritis, as his younger sister has had arthritis since the age of two.

Despite reaching the highest possible score in Crossy Road, Joshua continues to play regularly. "I still set aside time almost every day to practise and play Crossy Road – it really is my all-time favourite game… Crossy Road will always have a special place in my heart.”

Though he enjoys many other games, he isn't currently chasing any new records.

Watch Joshua's record-breaking Crossy Road game in full...