Of all the major tech innovations that have shaped our lives in recent years, few sectors have had the impact that gaming has. And, when it comes to games that we’re all playing, Match-3 games have become quite the phenomenon.
The concept behind these cultural staples is pretty straightforward: swap pieces to form matches of three or more. Simplicity doesn’t mean boring, though! These games often layer objectives – like collecting specific items or clearing obstacles – onto their colorful grids. It’s a winning formula, popularized by the legendary Candy Crush Saga but carried forward by many others
What keeps players coming back? It’s the mix of challenge and reward. Levels feel doable but are just tricky enough to test your skills the more you progress in the game. Then, there’s the appeal of cascading matches, where one right move can trigger an avalanche of points.
If you’re a fan of playing Candy Crush on your commute or simply curious about other games with similar appeal, here are six worth exploring. You might even find your next go-to puzzle fix.
The Popularity of Match-3 games
The sheer popularity of match-3 video games and mobile gaming apps is down to one thing: universal appeal. It’s genuinely hard to think of a demographic who wouldn’t enjoy these gaming experiences; you can jump in for five minutes or spend a lazy afternoon playing for hours. Mechanics and rules are straightforward too, but with a steady influx of new elements to keep players on their toes.
The aesthetics of match-3s also contributes to their ongoing playability. Themed visuals – be they sweet treats to lush forests – imbue each game with its own character. Plus, short and digestible levels suit our hectic schedules.
However, it’s not just about gameplay…these games have a big social element too, with gamers competing against friends on leaderboards and swapping strategies in Discord chats.
6 Games Like Candy Crush Saga
Whether you’re looking for a new title to game on the go or seeking desktop gaming experiences, here are 6 games that anyone who enjoys playing Candy Crush should check out.
- Bejeweled Blitz (EA/PopCap Games, 2010)
Before Candy Crush, there was Bejeweled! Its fast-paced Blitz edition adds a fresh twist: 60-second rounds packed with power-ups and leaderboards…It’s all about making the most of a minute. If you’ve got a competitive streak, this one’s for you.
- Homescapes (Playrix, 2017)
Puzzles meet storytelling in Homescapes. Here, you’ll help Austin the butler renovate a historical mansion with all the resources you earn from completing levels. It’s ideal if you’re drawn to lightweight gaming that’s more immersive than usual.
- Toy Blast (Peak Games, 2015)
Rather than swapping tiles, this is a game that challenges you to match adjacent blocks of the same color. It’s dominoes, but in colour form, and this simple change actually adds a fresh perspective on a standard gaming trope. Don’t be fooled by its straightforward premise, as you progress you’ll need to watch out for increasingly clever (and frustrating!) obstacles.
- Sugar Rush (Pragmatic Play, 2022)
The online slots vertical is a staple of the iGaming industry, with all manner of themed games available to play. Naturally, Candy Crush has inspired quite a few of these. Sugar Rush is a popular online casino slots title that borrows its aesthetic and elements of gameplay from the match-3 genre. While it’s not a puzzle game per se (and strictly adults only), its cascading reels, vibrant visuals and sugary theme are the perfect homage.
- Gardenscapes (Playrix, 2016)
Here’s another game with a home and garden twist. As niche as it sounds – the game fuses match-3 with gardening and landscaping – Gardenscapes presents a refreshing change from the usual candy or jewel-themed titles. Here, clearing puzzle levels earns you points to revive an overgrown garden.
- Puzzle & Dragons (GungHo Online Entertainment, 2012)
This game marries lightweight puzzle mechanics with elements of the RPG genre, more commonly found across console and PC platforms. Strategy dictates your every move here; completed matches power up your character and with plenty of enemies around, the more you win, the stronger you become.