There’s no doubting the fact that although there are multitudes of match-3 games available nowadays, almost all of them use similar mechanics and features in their gameplay. However, in this article we’ll be shedding some light on the unique features that we only see in a select few games.

Of course it goes without saying that we probably won’t be able to cover each and every individual mechanic/feature that this genre has to offer since there are just so many of them. However, we’ll definitely make sure to talk about all of the more common ones.

1: Square Match

In match-3 games players are usually only allowed to form a match if it’s in a straight line. However, certain games have the great feature of allowing players to create a match if they can manage to group up four of the same objects in the shape of a square. The square match mechanic adds a lot of depth to the gameplay and gives players a lot of breathing room as well during some of the more difficult levels that occur in later stages of the game. Making a square match also spawns a special object in most games which can in turn help you out even more.

2: Bonus Levels

Although a lot of match-3 games require players to play through a linear sequence of levels, there are a few games that actually feature special bonus levels that players can enjoy to take a break from the usual gameplay. These bonus levels are a great feature because they usually feature a lot of unique rules and regulations that don’t exist in standard levels thereby making them a lot more intriguing and enjoyable. Completing bonus levels is almost always worth it because you’ll more than likely be given a reward at the end of them that’ll aid you later on.

3: Special Power-Ups

In almost every single run of them mill match-3 game you’ll see that there are only three different power-ups that you can use during the gameplay. However, there are a few intriguing games that actually feature as much as six or seven power-ups and each one of these power-ups is more than capable of having a massive impact on the playing area. It’s worth mentioning that most games require players to reach a high level before they’re given access to the special power-ups.

4: Special Objects

If you’re playing a run-of-the-mill match-3 game then you’ll see some pretty straightforward objects in each level that you can match in order to progress further. However, every now and then a match-3 game surfaces that features a few special objects on top of the usual ones and these objects tend to add a lot of flavor to the gameplay. The use of special objects lets developers design more intriguing levels and they make the gameplay less repetitive as well.

All said and done, the following are some of the unique features that are quite solid but aren’t as commonly seen in the match-3 genre. While on the subject of match-3 games, we definitely recommend trying them out because they’re extremely fun to play.