Build a Match-3 Puzzle Game
Swap, match, and watch the candies cascade! Build your own juicy puzzle game like Candy Crush.
About this course
Every lesson explains the idea simply, then you build it. By the end you'll have a polished, juicy puzzle game with levels, scoring, and bouncy animations you can show off.
10 lessons
Why Match-3 Games Are So Addictive
Discover the simple loop hiding inside every match-3 hit, and why cascades and combos light up your brain. You'll choose your candy theme and sketch your board.
Building the Grid
Make a tidy grid of colorful tiles. You'll learn how a game stores a board as rows and columns of numbers behind the scenes — the 'map' of your puzzle.
Picking and Swapping Tiles
Let players click one tile, then a neighbor, to swap them. You'll handle 'is this a legal move?' so swaps feel smart and fair.
Finding Matches
Write the rule that scans the board for three-or-more in a row or column. This is the brain of the whole game — and simpler than it sounds.
Popping and Refilling
When a match is found, pop those tiles and slide the ones above down to fill the gaps, then drop new tiles from the top. Hello, satisfying cascade!
Cascades and Combos
Chain matches automatically: a fall might create a *new* match, which pops, which falls again. You'll reward big chains with bonus points.
Scoring and the Move Counter
Add a score that climbs and a limited number of moves so each level is a fun little challenge. Bigger matches = bigger rewards.
Levels and Goals
Create levels with goals like 'reach 1000 points in 20 moves'. You'll add a level-complete screen and a next-level button.
Juicy Animations and Sound
Add the polish that makes it pop — tiles that wiggle, sparkle bursts, a tasty *pop* sound, and a wobble when nothing matches. This is the secret sauce.
Save Progress and Share
Remember the player's best score and unlocked levels, add a friendly title screen, and share your finished puzzle game with family.