The technique of angle resolved mapping of scattering and recoiling imaging spectra (SARIS) combined with computer simulations is demonstrated to be a valuable tool for characterization of atomic collision events on surfaces. The energy distributions of scattered Kr and Ne and fast recoiled Pt and Ni atoms from Pt(111) and Ni(111) surfaces were measured as a function of exit angle. The use of a large area microchannel plate (MCP) detector and time-of-flight (TOF) techniques decreases the collection time and increases the number of detected trajectories above that of other designs. Classical ion trajectory simulations using the three-dimensional scattering and recoiling imaging code (SARIC) are used to simulate the kinematics of the scattering and recoiling particles. It is shown that SARIS mapping allows one to probe the kinematics of both scattered and recoiled particles, the probability for their occurrence in specific trajectories, and the atomic layers from which the particles originate. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2004.93]