Gem Swap is a free online match 3 puzzle with colourful gems, special gems and cascading combos. It runs in your browser with no download or sign up, works on phones and computers, and keeps working offline once the page has loaded.
Inspired by: Match three games such as Bejeweled (2001) and Candy Crush Saga (2012).
How to play Gem Swap
- Pick a mode. The 60 second rush is all about speed, and the 25 move mode is all about planning.
- Swap two gems that sit next to each other so that three or more of the same shape line up.
- Matched gems vanish and new gems fall in. Chain reactions give bigger scores.
- Match four to make a striped gem that clears a whole row or column. Match five to make a rainbow gem.
- Match gems in an L or T shape to create a bomb that clears the area around it.
- If you wait too long, the game shows a hint. If no moves are left, the board shuffles.
Controls
- Keyboard: Arrow keys move the highlight. Press Space to pick a gem, then press an arrow to swap it.
- Mouse: Drag a gem towards its neighbour, or click one gem and then the next.
- Touch screen: Swipe a gem towards its neighbour, or tap one gem and then tap the next.
Tips to score higher
- Work near the bottom first. Matches there make gems fall and sometimes create free combos above.
- Look for four in a row. A striped gem clears much more than a plain match.
- Swap a rainbow gem with any gem to clear every gem of that shape on the board.
- In the 25 move mode, plan one move ahead and save your special gems for big clears.
- In the 60 second rush, making special gems also adds a little extra time.
The story behind Gem Swap
Match three puzzles began to spread in the early 2000s, when Bejeweled and similar games showed how addictive a simple swap could be. Later, phone versions such as Candy Crush Saga brought the idea to hundreds of millions of people, with sweet colours and quick levels you could play in a short break. The magic is in the cascade, when one lucky move sets off a chain of matches. Many of us remember playing these games on a first smartphone, waiting for a train or for dinner. Gem Swap keeps that bright, satisfying feeling in a light browser game.
Questions players ask
Is Gem Swap free to play?
Yes. It is free, with no sign up, no download and no in-game purchases.
What are the two game modes?
In the 60 second rush you score as much as you can before time runs out. In the 25 move mode you have a limited number of swaps.
How do I make special gems?
Match four to create a striped gem, match five in a line for a rainbow gem, and match in an L or T shape for a bomb.
Can I play with a keyboard?
Yes. Move with the arrow keys, press Space to pick a gem and then press an arrow to swap.
What if there are no moves left?
The game spots this and shuffles the gems so you can keep playing.