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Best Matching Games like Candy Crush 2022
Is Candy Crush still the undisputed king of mobile gaming? What's the competition like? We have embarked on a quest to find the most addictive app there is.

Table of Contents
It's magic!
The world of wizards is alive and well. In fact, it seems more magical than ever. Pick up your wand, hop on your broom, and come along. It will be fun.
Why we chose Harry Potter- Puzzles & Spells:
- Amazing both for fans of the franchise, as well as those who don't care much for it
- A visually stunning app that offers a truly immersive experience
- Well-balanced levels of difficulty that are great for kids and adults alike
- Rewards and bonuses will keep you motivated and boost your progress
In fact, the only reason this wasn't our top pick is the fact that, perhaps due to its cool graphics and loads of animations, the app performed a bit slower than the others. Still, in every other way, it is an almost instant classic.
Read Harry Potter- Puzzles & Spells' Full ReviewA worthy successor to the tradition
Candy Crush has, over the years, managed to generate more than a couple of sequels. This one has to be the best of the lot.
Why we chose Candy Crush Soda Saga?
- An entertaining way to compete against players from across the globe
- You don't need to sign in - in any shape or form
- The fun can begin immediately as we have noticed a total absence of complex walkthroughs
- Great graphics and some pretty neat music to boot
Overall, you can't really go wrong with this offshoot of a timeless classic. We are more than pleased with the direction the franchise is taking.
Read Candy Crush Soda Saga's Full ReviewEverything We Recommend
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Runner Up
Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells
4.7 Ratings 921K+ Reviews 10M+ DownloadsIt’s time to experience the magic and mystery of Harry Potter like never before! Prepare to cast spells, shatter challenges, and celebrate the whimsy of the Wizarding World while becoming enchanted by this incredible free puzzle game for your mobile device! Combine gems and prove your Match 3 skill by beating levels to upgrade and unlock new spells and magic abilities which will aid your quest to conquer more difficult Match 3 puzzles. Get a chance to upgrade your spells as you prepare for the magically mischievous Match 3 challenges ahead in these fun free games.
As you progress in your Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells Match 3 saga, unlock classic moments from the films, including Harry, Ron and Hermione toppling trolls, Fred & George playing pranks, and Hagrid taking care of his magical creatures at Hogwarts! Learn more about the wonders of the Wizarding World and Hogwarts as you collect magical creatures that will aid in solving the puzzles of this Match 3 game! So get ready to ‘swish and flick’ your way to a magical journey of your very own in whimsical matching games!
o Solve Match 3 challenges featuring the original Wizarding World characters from the Harry Potter films! Merge gems to develop your magic skills by progressing through innovative Match 3 puzzle play where you’ll master Spells and enjoy an endless array of Daily Events that continue to delight and surprise even very adept Match 3 puzzle experts.
o Level-up Your Abilities: Earn experience points throughout the game to increase your level, unlock rewards and gain magic abilities that assist you to crush each new fantastical Match 3 puzzle.Solve riddles to find new accessories to help your gameplay, such as the broom, or Bombastic Bombs, which can clear your board of gems & jewels with a crash of explosion!
o Unlock & Upgrade Spells: Use a burst of Spells to solve puzzles by smashing explosive obstacles and blast hazards like Chocolate Frogs and Potions. For example, cast Wingardium Leviosa to move objects out of your way.
o Celebrate the Magic of Harry Potter: As you solve free puzzles, celebrate the most memorable moments from the Harry Potter stories. Follow your favorite witches and wizards, or win a game of Wizard's Chess! In this Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells free game by Zynga, the Daily Prophet will keep you up to date with Harry, Ron and Hermione as they progress on their epic journey at Hogwarts!
o Play In Clubs: Games are always more fun with friends! Unite with other players in your club to climb the leaderboard. Taste sweet victory as you work with your Clubmates to win tournaments and challenges against other clubs!
o Amass Glorious Collections: As you progress in your free Match 3 mastery, you'll be ever gaining a collection of marvelous Wizarding World creatures that aid you in solving puzzles. Work on your collection and receive a marvelous beast that will deliver benefits that directly assist you as you match 3 gems to solve challenging puzzles.
o Enjoy Daily Events: Take part in new and exciting events every day! Collect treasure as you celebrate characters’ Birthdays, and upgrade spells as you witness a multitude of magical Harry Potter moments!
Enjoy top rated Zynga games: where fun games are made!
ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURES
For specific information about how Zynga collects and uses personal or other data, please read our privacy policy at https://www.zynga.com/privacy/policy
Use of this application is governed by the Zynga Terms of Service, found at https://www.zynga.com/legal/terms-of-service
The game is free to play, however in-app purchases are available for additional content and premium currency.
WIZARDING WORLD, HARRY POTTER Publishing Rights © J.K. Rowling. HARRY POTTER: PUZZLES & SPELLS, PORTKEY GAMES, WIZARDING WORLD and HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia © and ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s21) © and ™ Zynga Inc. All Rights Reserved.CostFreeFreeIn-App Purchases$0.99 - $99.99 per item$0.99 - $31.99 per item -
Also Groovy
Candy Crush Soda Saga
4.6 Ratings 9M+ Reviews 100M+ DownloadsDownload Candy Crush Soda Saga now!
From the makers of the legendary Candy Crush Saga comes Candy Crush Soda Saga! Unique candies, more divine matching combinations and challenging game modes brimming with purple soda and fun!
This mouth-watering puzzle adventure will instantly quench your thirst for fun. Join Kimmy on her juicy journey to find Tiffi, by switching and matching your way through new dimensions of magical gameplay. Take on this Sodalicious Saga alone or play with friends to see who can get the highest score!
Monthly season updates bring unique quests and exciting gameplay for you to explore! Complete quests to progress through the Season Pass while earning rewards and boosters to help you on your Saga.
Show your competitive side in the Episode Race! Compete against other players to see who can complete levels the fastest and progress the quickest. Or work as a team in the 4 in a Row game mode where players work together for Sodalicious rewards!
Candy Crush Soda Saga Features:
*Over 6000 match 3 Sodalicious levels
*Mouth-watering graphics, with 3D characters and an ever changing environment
*Monthly Seasons all year long, filled with challenging quests and a reward-fueled Season Pass
*Game modes bubbling with fun and unique candy:
Soda – Switch the bottles and match candies to release purple soda and save the Candy Bears
Frosting – Match candy to smash the ice and set the Candy Bears free
Honeycomb – Match candies next to honeycomb to release the trapped Candy Bears
Jam – Spread the jam across the board
*Unique candies and scrumptious new matching combinations:
Match 4 candies in a square to make a Swedish Fish!
Match 7 candies for the all new Coloring Candy!
*Explore juicy worlds and levels with even more characters!
*Team up for tasty rewards in the 4 in a Row game mode
*Complete levels in the fastest time for sweet prizes in the Episode Race!
*Easy and fun to play, yet challenging to fully master
*Players that Facebook Connect will have access to leaderboards where you can challenge your friends and compare your highscores!
*Easily sync the game between devices to unlock the games full features when connected to the internet
Candy Crush Soda Saga is completely free to play, but some in-game items such as extra moves or lives will require payment.
By downloading this game you are agreeing to our terms of service; http://about.king.com/consumer-terms/terms
Do not sell my data: King shares your personal information with advertising partners to personalize ads. Learn more at https://king.com/privacyPolicy. If you wish to exercise your Do Not Sell My Data rights, you can do so by contacting us via the in game help centre or by going to https://soporto.king.com/
Facebook @CandyCrushSodaSaga
Twitter @CandyCrushSoda
Instagram @CandyCrushSaga
YouTube @CandyCrushOfficial
Last but not least, a big THANK YOU goes out to everyone who has played Candy Crush Soda Saga!CostFreeFreeIn-App Purchases$0.99 - $149.99 per item$0.99 - $14.99 per item
The 411 from our Appventurer
How we tested?
So-called match-three games all pretty much rest on the same premise. Observe the board, notice patterns, clear said board. Matching tiles will help you achieve this goal. So, what sort of criteria can you apply when testing them?
First and foremost, there is ease of use. Obviously, no one wants to waste their time on an excessively complicated game. Candy Crush clones are supposed to be simple, straightforward, and immensely fun.
Yes, that would be the next bit of criteria - how fun a game is and for how long can you play it. Of course, this is a purely personal matter, but some basic ideas pretty much everyone can agree on.
Frugal as we are, we also paid attention to the prices - as well as whether the app suffers from the case of OAA - Obnoxiously Annoying Ads.
Why get the app?
Why do we play games? The answers are many. To pass the time, to get our adrenaline going, to distract ourselves from the challenges of everyday existence. All of this (and more) can be achieved with any of our top three. They are the ultimate cure for boredom, the best way to escape grim reality and give ourselves a much-needed break.
There is, however, another aspect well worth pondering on. Recently, scientists have found that puzzle games can have a very positive impact not only on your overall mental health but also on the longevity of your little grey cells. Believe it or not, playing such games on a regular basis can ward off the early symptoms of dementia for up to three years. Publications such as International Psychogeriatrics and Harvard Health support this idea, so - better start playing!
More About Harry Potter- Puzzles & Spells: Runner Up
Another app from Zynga that we simply have to include on our list. No, they're not paying us, but they do seem to be making some terribly good games. This one is set in the wonderful universe of Harry Potter - magic and all included. The owl is at your window. Will you pick up the invitation letter?
You start the game by entering your name (or nickname) and choosing your house (Slytherin all the way!). Next, you pick a wand, and you're ready to rock. Hagrid will give you a chest containing the most magical gems you have ever laid your eyes on. Arrange them the right way, and the powers of the universe will begin to shift in your favor.
After a short tutorial, you will go through a series of levels. The difficulty will increase gradually, but the rewards you will receive along the way will motivate you to keep doing your very best.
When you reach level 3, you will be able to fully customize your profile and avatar. At level 7, the opportunity to compete with other users will present itself. Once you go all the way to 32, numerous benefits and extra lives will make your progress a lot easier. What lies beyond that point? It is up to you to discover.
Regardless of whether you're an experienced gamer or want to play this with your 5-year-old offspring, the game will provide you with almost endless hours of fun. It literally doesn't matter whether you are a fan of the franchise or not. Even those who couldn't care less about Harry's adventures will be mesmerized. Seriously. Magical spells that enrich the experience are animated wonderfully, as are many other details you will encounter along your way.
Daily events are another way to spice things up. They will offer additional levels, bonuses, and spells you can use while playing. If this is not enough, you can also buy additional coins and lives at very reasonable prices. However, this won't be necessary, and you should be able to make considerable progress without ever reaching for your wallet.
Perhaps our only genuine complaint is the fact that many of the more elaborate animations will take a few seconds to load. The lag is not unbearable, but, at the same time, it is noticeable and could annoy a more sensitive user. Luckily, every other gameplay element is pretty much brilliant, which makes us forgive the developers for those slightly longer loading times.
More About Candy Crush Soda Saga: Also Groovy
Not all sequels have to be horrendous. Yes, some more recent Hollywood remakes have been a nightmare but, when it comes to games, the situation seems a whole lot brighter. The next-gen Candy Crush is definitely a worthy successor to the originator of the genre. We are pretty impressed. This is not one to be missed. Give it a chance - you might like it as much as the original version.
The very start of the test came with a big surprise - there is no need to sign in, log in, nor do anything in terms of giving permissions and handing over your precious data. In a day and age where privacy is but a fictional concept, this was rather refreshing. Hopefully, the game will stick to this and not invade our personal digital space. For now, we are more than thrilled - especially after testing apps devoted to crypto, which require you to scan your passport!
Anyway, the game is about as straightforward as it gets - so much so that the creators decided not to burden the player with almost any tutorials or walkthroughs. This is another bonus in our book as, more often than not, games will go overboard with this sort of thing, making the first 10-15 minutes of play a bit tedious. With Candy Crush Soda Saga, you'll be ready to rock in a matter of seconds.
The gameplay is as fun as it gets - especially since you will immediately get to compete against other users from across the globe. Of course, you will need to be connected to the internet to do this. Still, you can also play on your own, offline, or within a closed network with your closest friends. You can also cooperate with other users - send and receive hearts - and progress a lot faster.
One thing that caught our attention was the graphics. Lightly distorted figures and backgrounds almost remind us of the 1990s Cartoon Network. Perhaps our only complaint would be the lack of fun special effects that Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells is so generous with. The music is also pretty decent - in fact, possibly the best out of all the games we tested this week. Of course, most players will turn it off after a while but, if you are one of those people who detest silence, this could serve as a very relaxing soundtrack to your gaming.
The app is, of course, free, but some bonuses can be had for a (reasonable) price. Again, much like the other two games, we picked as our favorites, this one too is never obnoxious nor pushy when it comes to paid features. In fact, there are no limits to how far you can go without spending a dime. Candy Crush Soda Saga is a thoroughly entertaining way to pass a lazy Sunday afternoon during the pandemic, and we cannot possibly recommend it enough.
Other Apps Considered
Obviously, we couldn't possibly attempt to write this kind of an article without touching upon the classic, the golden standard, the one that started it all. We didn't necessarily want to include it into our top 3, if for no other reason, because we wished to let other stars shine brighter. In addition, Candy Crush Saga has been around for so long; maybe we ended up playing it too much. Still, it retains its rightful place on the throne and is definitely still as entertaining as ever.
This one seemed rather good and pretty addictive at first, but then, during the testing period, an odd thing happened. After the second update, the app turned so glitchy and would crash about once every 10 minutes of playing. Obviously, the problem is most likely to be only temporary, but it still serves as a fair warning that such a scenario is not outside of the realm of possibilities. This sort of mishap has put us a bit off Cookie Jam, even if it does appear to be pretty promising overall. Perhaps we'll give it another chance in a couple of months.
For all the fans of the show (and we definitely are!), this will be an instant pick. Still, once you get through the excitement of finally finding a Pokémon-themed puzzle, you will realize that the gameplay itself is not exactly extraordinary. In fact, it is in no way exceptional. All the moves, all the tricks, all the special effects have already been seen elsewhere. This app is simply missing something unique, a selling point that will launch it above its competitors. For now, it remains a middle-of-the-road solution - a curiosity for all Pokémon lovers and perhaps a few others.
Much like Pokémon Shuffle Mobile, this one too attempts to cash in on the popularity of its characters. Marvel is, after all, one of the biggest names in the business today and its superheroes draw in many potential players. That's all fine and dandy, but the game ultimately suffers from sub-par execution. With a strong emphasis on a sharp competitive edge, the app basically pushes the user to purchase add-ons and bonus points in order to progress and succeed. You won't get anywhere without dropping at least $30. This sort of pay-to-win arrangement is not something we are after. Not at all.
Fast-paced and easy, Candy Charming will suck you into its orbit in a matter of minutes. Unfortunately, this infatuation won't last too long, especially once you start noticing that the game is way too simple for its own good. It seems better suited for very small children rather than adults looking for a challenge. If you have young gamer-to-be in your home, this could be a good choice for them. Otherwise, it's better skipped.
One thing we are very happy about is the fact that, during the period of testing this one, we saw very few if any ads. This, in our book, is an extremely big bonus. However, something else was determined to act as a thorn in our side and ruin the fun. Bubble Shooter seems to be the exact opposite of Candy Charming. It is surprisingly difficult! The game can be fun for a short while, but then it quickly becomes borderline frustrating. This sucks out all the entertainment potential from it. We are not sure if this would fly in 1993 when games were much more difficult by default, let alone in 2021. Only recommended if you have a masochistic streak.
The app seems decent enough at first but only for a short bit. Within the first 20 minutes, you will realize that the game is geared more towards taking your money than anything. Constant offers, pop-up windows, and transition screens asking for cash are pushy and downright annoying. Yes, we understand that the developers too have to make a living, but this was getting a bit ridiculous. We spent more time finding our way through ads and offers than actually playing. Not a good sign and not the quality we look for in a winner.
Stefan Racic
My phone tends to be filled to the brim with apps I am either trying on for size of using on a regular basis. I use them for a variety of tasks, including sketching and creating art, keeping in touch with friends, being up to date with the latest news, learning about diverse spiritual practices and, of course, playing games!
With over 10 years of experience as a translator and writer, I channel my creativity into writing about things I enjoy. My education in business (I hold a bachelor's degree in operations management) is but one part of expertise. I have worked for art magazines, spiritual blogs, news and business sites, and now I explore the fascinating world of apps.
My previous work is as diverse as my interests. Fresh out of college, I was employed as a translator and interpreter at the fringes of the corporate world and the NGO sector. After switching to writing, I first focused on business news, then shifted to working for a series of art magazines (WideWalls perhaps being the most well known), and even wrote content for a couple of spirituality-focused apps for Labyrinthos Academy. Little did I know that I would eventually devote a good chunk of my time to writing about all sorts of interesting new apps out there.
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Match-three puzzles have been around since the dawn of time - or rather, since the dawn of the digital age. Even good old Tetris falls under this category so that will give you a picture of the length of this tradition. In recent years, namely in 2012, Candy Crush created a revolution in mobile gaming, positioning itself as one of the top players in the field.
Now, almost a decade later, we have decided to search high and low to see if this classic is still the top dog or if, perhaps, there is something even more fun, even more addicting - a game that promises sleepless nights and loads of adrenaline.