🐛 [Bug]: Whack-a-Mole Game Fails to Start Due to getContext Null Error

[Bhavikapatel06]

📝 Description

The Whack-a-Mole game opens successfully, but the game does not start properly after clicking the "Start Game" button.

While testing, the browser console shows the following JavaScript error:

Cannot read properties of null (reading 'getContext')

This prevents the game canvas from initializing correctly, causing the game board and interactions to fail.

🔄 Steps to Reproduce

1. Open the Whack-a-Mole game
2. Click on "Start Game"
3. Observe that the game does not start
4. Open browser DevTools Console
5. See the getContext null error

🎯 Expected Behavior

• The game should initialize correctly
• Canvas/game board should render properly
• User should be able to play the game normally

❌ Actual Behavior / Error Logs

• Game modal opens but gameplay does not start
• Console error appears:
  Cannot read properties of null (reading 'getContext')

💻 Environment

• OS: Windows 11
• Browser: Chrome / Brave
• Issue Area: Whack-a-Mole Game

---

• I am a registered GSSoC 2026 contributor.
• I want to be assigned to fix this issue.

[github-actions]

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[Bhavikapatel06]

Hi@steam-bell-92
I reproduced this issue and identified the getContext null error causing the Whack-a-Mole game to fail during initialization.

I am a GSSoC 2026 contributor and would like to work on fixing the canvas/game initialization issue and improving the game functionality.

Please assign this issue to me if available. Thank you!

[steam-bell-92]

@Bhavikapatel06 hey can you search for all projects presnt on site, cuz definitely many aren't starting

[Bhavikapatel06]

Sure! I’ll test the projects available on the site and identify the ones that are not starting or have functional issues. I’ll share detailed findings with screenshots/error logs for easier debugging.

[Bhavikapatel06]

I tested another project as well and found the same issue occurring in the Word Scramble game modal.
The console again shows:
Cannot read properties of null (reading 'getContext') from hero-canvas.js.

[steam-bell-92]

@Bhavikapatel06 sure, get all n open a PR