endless mode

No finish line

A feature in video games that removes win conditions, letting players continue indefinitely until they lose or quit.

Unlike story modes with endings, endless mode tests how long you can survive or how high you can score: I got to level 47 in endless mode before I finally died.

Also called infinite mode or survival mode.

infiniteHaving no bounds
survivalRemaining alive against odds
arcadeArched passageway or gaming hall
score attackGameplay focused on points
marathonLong-distance footrace

unlimited · loop · eternal · nonstop · perpetual · sandbox · freeplay · highscore · waves · continuous · keep going · grind · replay · unlockable · roguelike · challenge · timer · leaderboard

Opposites

narrative structure

endless modestory mode

Narrative-driven gameplay option

campaign mode · adventure mode · single-player campaign

temporal bounds

endless modetime trial

Fastest-lap competition format

time attack · sudden death · final round

progression type

endless modecareer mode

Sustained single-player progression

tournament mode · boss rush · challenge mode

Family

endless, mode, end, ends, ended, ending, endings, ender, unending

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Rated G