Gaming Mobile 24 24 people found this article helpful The Best Match 3 Puzzle Games by Andrew Webster Writer Andrew Webster is the Games Editor of The Verge. He has 10+ years' experience writing about casual video gaming for publications like Wired, CNBC, and Gamezebo. our editorial process Andrew Webster Updated on December 10, 2018 Tweet Share Email Mobile Consoles & PCs Cheats & Codes Gaming Services Game Play & Streaming Mobile Gaming If you're into casual puzzle games, chances are you've come across one or two match-3 games throughout your journey. Or maybe a few dozen. The fact is, the sheer number of match-3 titles available makes it hard to separate the good from the bad. But we're here to help. What follows is a list of some of the best that the genre has to offer, from fresh and inventive games to ones that simply take a good thing and make it better. If you're looking to waste a whole lot of time, these games will be more than happy to help. 01 of 05 Fishdom 2 Big Fish Games What We Like Free. Part of a three-part game installment. What We Don't Like Unclear how reputable the developer is based on download page. Windows only. With all of the match-3 puzzle games out there, it can be hard to make a game stand out from the pack. Developer Playrix managed to do this with the first Fishdom, with a cleverly implemented aquatic theme that let players decorate their own virtual aquarium. Fishdom 2 offers more of the same, and while it may not be all that original, it's still one of the best match-3 games around. Platform: Windows Download Fishdom 2 02 of 05 Vizati Vizati What We Like Different approach to gameplay. Above-average graphics. What We Don't Like Last updated in 2011. More expensive than similar games. Match-3 games are, essentially, all the same. You can wrap it up like an RPG as in Puzzle Quest or throw in a virtual fish tank like in Fishdom, but the core gameplay is still the same. Vizati changes this notion. With a new game mechanic that has you moving the grid instead of the pieces, it feels like a fresh take on the concept. It may be a bit on the difficult side, but it sports a terrific atmosphere and fresh new gameplay, so it's perfect for puzzle fans. Platform: Windows, Mac Download Vizati 03 of 05 Tidalis Arcen Games What We Like Multi-platform availability. What We Don't Like Requires a CD key that's not sold through Steam. Unclear developer reputation. At this point you'd be forgiven for thinking that you've seen all that the match-3 genre has to offer. From Bejeweled to Turba to Puzzle Quest, it's arguably the most crowded genre in all puzzle gaming. Yet, in spite of this, Arcen Games' Tidalis manages to offer up a fresh twist on the concept, creating an addictive experience that's equal parts challenging and relaxing. And it even has a story. Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Steam Download Tidalis 04 of 05 Bejewled Stars PopCap Games What We Like Part of a well-known, popular franchise. Optimized for mobile gaming. What We Don't Like Deep Facebook integration. Gaudy colors. With the success of the Facebook version of Bejeweled Blitz, PopCap Games doubled down with Bejeweled Stars. The game is similar to previous titles in the series; it's a popular mobile app for iOS and Android, as well. Platform: Android, iOS, Facebook Download Bejewled Stars 05 of 05 Wizard Jewels What We Like Free. Web-based, so any operating system supports it. What We Don't Like Not well-rated. Unclear developer. Requires plug-ins that can compromise computer security. The Wizard Jewels game from Match3Games runs in your web browser, so the platform doesn't matter — although it'll look better in a larger desktop display than in a mobile browser. The game is fun, with lovely graphics, although it doesn't like it if you happen to run an adblocker when you try to play. Platform: Web Play Wizard Jewels Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Thank you for signing up. Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit