Matchthree

Match-three is a puzzle game genre in which players swap adjacent tiles on a grid to form lines of three or more identical items. When a match is made, those items disappear, new items cascade in from above, and further matches may occur automatically. Objectives vary by game, but most titles aim to achieve a high score, reach a goal, or clear specific tiles.

Core mechanics center on a grid, a limited set of moves or turns, and the requirement that matches occur horizontally or vertically. Longer matches create special tiles that clear rows, columns, or multiple colors. Cascading matches can continue without input, increasing scores and complexity.

Level progression often combines score targets with explicit goals such as collecting items or removing blockers. Many modern games use a free-to-play model with microtransactions and daily challenges. Visual themes range from jewels to candies, fruits, or abstract symbols.

History and influence: tile-matching concepts appeared earlier in games such as Columns and Puyo Puyo, but Bejeweled (2001) popularized the match-three formula on PC and browsers. Candy Crush Saga (2012) helped expand the genre to mobile and social networks, shaping monetization and live service designs. Variants mix puzzle mechanics with RPG or adventure elements.

See also: puzzle video game, tile-matching, Bejeweled, Candy Crush Saga.