The Most Popular Puzzle Game, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the puzzle game you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 21, 2024 07:28
In a world teeming with infinite gaming choices, it can be surprisingly challenging to decide which puzzle game might tickle your intellect the right way. By compiling a list based on popular opinion, potential players can easily find the games that have resonated the most with the widest range of players. This crowd-sourced ranking guides newcomers towards engaging, highly recommended gameplay experiences.
Each vote cast for a puzzle game is a testament to its appeal and enjoyability, helping others make an informed choice before they commit their time. The dynamic nature of this list implies that as new games capture the community's interest or as preferences shift, the rankings evolve. This constant updating not only reflects the current trends but also ensures that everyone can see what is currently captivating the gaming community's attention.
What Is the Most Popular Puzzle Game?
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151votesSudoku is a popular puzzle game that involves placing numbers in a grid. It is popular because it is challenging but also relaxing.Sudoku is a popular free offline game that originated in Japan. It is a logic-based number placement puzzle that requires players to fill a 9x9 grid with numbers from 1 to 9. The grid is divided into nine 3x3 subgrids, and each row, column, and subgrid must contain all numbers from 1 to 9 without duplication.
- Difficulty Levels: Varied - Easy, Medium, Hard
- Grid Size: 9x9
- Subgrid Size: 3x3
- Number Range: 1 to 9
- Logic-based Puzzle: Yes
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235votesTetris is a classic puzzle game that involves arranging falling blocks to form lines. It is popular because it is easy to learn but difficult to master.Tetris is a classic puzzle game where players manipulate falling blocks called tetrominoes to create horizontal lines. The objective is to clear as many lines as possible, with each line cleared earning points and increasing the level difficulty. The game ends when the stack of tetrominoes reaches the top of the playfield.
- Year of Release: 1984
- Genre: Puzzle
- Platform(s): Browser, PC, Console, Mobile
- Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
- Controls: Keyboard arrow keys for movement, rotation, and dropping
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318votes
Crossword puzzles
Arthur WynneCrossword puzzles involve filling in a grid with words that match clues. They are popular because they challenge vocabulary and problem-solving skills.Crossword puzzles are word games that consist of a rectangular grid of white and black squares. The goal is to fill the white squares with letters, forming words vertically and horizontally based on clues provided. These puzzles test one's vocabulary, knowledge, and problem-solving skills.- Grid Size: Typically 15x15, but can vary
- Clue Types: Across (horizontal), Down (vertical)
- Clue Format: Numbered clues with corresponding boxes for each word
- Difficulty Levels: Varies from beginner to expert
- Intersecting Words: Words intersect at common letters
Crossword puzzles in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular word game
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410votes
Jigsaw puzzles
John SpilsburyJigsaw puzzles involve assembling a picture from small pieces. They are popular because they are relaxing and satisfying to complete.Jigsaw puzzles are a popular puzzle game that involves fitting together oddly shaped pieces to form a complete picture. Players pick individual pieces and place them correctly to gradually recreate the whole image.- Number of Pieces: Varies, typically ranging from 500 to 2000 pieces
- Difficulty Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
- Themes: Nature, Landscapes, Animals, Art, Cities, etc.
- Materials: Cardboard, Wood, Acrylic, etc.
- Piece Sizes: Various, commonly ranging from small to large pieces
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522votes
Word searches
Norman E. GibatWord searches involve finding words hidden in a grid of letters. They are popular because they are easy to play and can be customized with different themes.Word searches is a popular puzzle game where players are presented with a grid of letters and a list of words to find hidden within the grid. The words can be placed horizontally, vertically, diagonally, or even backwards. The objective is to locate and mark all the words as quickly as possible.- Grid Size: Varies, typically ranging from 8x8 to 20x20
- Word List: Customizable, with hundreds or thousands of words
- Difficulty Levels: Multiple, from easy to challenging
- Themes: Various categories like animals, sports, food, etc.
- Timer: Optional, to track completion time
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611votesMinesweeper is a computer game where the player must clear a grid of mines without detonating them. It is popular because it is challenging and addictive.Minesweeper is a classic computer puzzle game that requires players to clear a grid of hidden mines without triggering any of them. The goal is to uncover all the empty cells by strategically deducing the locations of the mines based on numeric clues provided by adjacent cells.
- Platform: Windows Operating System
- Modes: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
- Grid Size: 9x9 (Beginner), 16x16 (Intermediate), 16x30 (Expert)
- Mines: 10 (Beginner), 40 (Intermediate), 99 (Expert)
- Playable Cells: 71 (Beginner), 216 (Intermediate), 381 (Expert)
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713votesBejeweled is a puzzle game where the player must swap adjacent gems to form lines of three or more. It is popular because it is easy to learn and has colorful graphics.Bejeweled is a popular browser game that challenges players to match and swap colorful gems in order to clear them from the board and score points. The game features an addictive gameplay, simple controls, and vibrant graphics.
- Genre: Puzzle
- Platform: Web browser
- Release Date: 2001
- Modes: Single-player
- Popularity: High
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84votesMahjong is a traditional Chinese game that involves matching tiles with similar patterns. It is popular because it requires strategy and can be played with others.Mahjong is a traditional Chinese board game that originated in the Qing dynasty. It is played with a set of 144 tiles, typically made of bone or bamboo, although modern sets may also use plastic. The game involves four players and requires both skill and strategy to win. Mahjong has gained immense popularity not only in China but also worldwide.
- Players: 4
- Tiles: 144
- Tile types: 3 suits (bamboo, character, circle), honor tiles (winds and dragons)
- Game objective: To collect sets of tiles and form a winning hand
- Value tiles: Flower and season tiles
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92votes2048 is a number puzzle game where the player must combine tiles to reach the number 2048. It is popular because it is simple yet challenging.2048 is a highly addictive browser game that involves sliding tiles on a grid to combine numbers and reach the coveted 2048 tile. The gameplay is simple yet challenging, requiring strategic moves to prevent the grid from filling up and ending the game.
- Platform: Browser
- Genre: Puzzle
- Release Date: March 9, 2014
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Number of Tiles: 16
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1012votes
RTCNCA · CC BY-SA 3.0Rubik's Cube
Ernő RubikRubik's Cube is a three-dimensional puzzle where the player must twist and turn the cube to match colors on each side. It is popular because it is a classic puzzle that requires dexterity and problem-solving skills.The Rubik's Cube is a three-dimensional puzzle toy that has captivated people's attention since its creation. It consists of a 3x3x3 cube with six different colored faces which can be rotated independently. The goal is to scramble the colors and then try to solve the puzzle by arranging each face to have a single color.- Size: 3x3x3 cube
- Colors: 6 different colors
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Number of possible combinations: 43,252,003,274,489,856,000
- Number of moves to solve: Optimal solution in 20 moves
Rubik's Cube in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular brand of cube
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular puzzle
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular toy of all time
- Position 6 of 10 in Most satisfying Fidget
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular fad
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Ranking factors for popular puzzle game
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Number of playersThe number of people who have played or are currently playing the game can be a strong indicator of its popularity.
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Sales numbersThis can include both physical and digital sales of the game, as well as any merchandise or spin-offs associated with it. High sales numbers generally indicate a popular game.
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Reviews and ratingsStrong reviews and high ratings from both professional critics and players can indicate a well-received and popular game.
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LongevityA game's lifespan and consistent popularity over time can be a key factor in ranking it among others. This can also include the frequency of updates, sequels, or expansions to the game.
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Social media presenceThe number of followers, likes, and overall positive engagement on various social media platforms can influence a game's popularity.
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Awards and recognitionsA game that has received a significant amount of awards or recognitions from the gaming industry is likely well-regarded and popular.
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Gameplay and mechanicsFun, balanced, and unique gameplay can make a puzzle game more engaging and attractive to players, contributing to its popularity.
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Accessibility and platform availabilityA game that is easily accessible and available on various platforms (PC, consoles, mobile, etc.) is likely to be more popular.
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Online and community presenceA game with a strong and active online community, including forums, fan sites, and social media groups, can contribute to its popularity.
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Cultural impactA game that has made a significant impact on popular culture and has become a recognizable brand or symbol to the general public can indicate its popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular puzzle game. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or puzzle is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2069 views
- 177 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each puzzle once every 24 hours. The rank of each puzzle is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular puzzle game
Puzzle games have been a favorite pastime for generations, offering a fun and challenging way to exercise the brain. With the rise of mobile gaming, puzzle games have become more accessible than ever before, with a vast array of options available at our fingertips. From classic games like Tetris and Sudoku to newer favorites like Candy Crush and Monument Valley, the puzzle game genre has something to offer for everyone. But which puzzle game reigns supreme as the most popular among gamers? Let's take a closer look at the top contenders and find out.
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