Why was I playing shoot 'em ups?

• It was a fun game mechanic.
• I was good at them, and winning was rewarding to me.
• There was something really new in each game that came out.

But do casual players do the same thing today? Is it possible that casual game players are feeling the same way as I did? That is -- they like a particular game mechanic and play the new games as long as they have something new?

I decided to find out by creating a list of match-3 hits over the years. So I looked into the archives of the Real Arcade ranking, and I created a list of match-3 games which have sustained more than 4 weeks in the top 10 (which is usually a pretty good sign of success in sales in the casual gaming world).

Match-3 Game Evolution

2001

Diamond Mine (Bejeweled)



2002

Super Bounce Out

Cubis Gold (pictured)

2003

Tip Top (pictured)

High Roller

Mind Your Marbles

Walls of Jericho

Chainz

2004

Bounce Out Blitz

Jewel Quest (pictured)

Mad Caps

Cubis Gold 2

Bejeweled 2



2005

Big Kahuna Reef (pictured)

Chuzzle (pictured)

Bewitched

Chainz 2

Gem Shop

Rainbow Web



2006

Legend of Aladdin

Wonderlines

7 Wonders

Da Vinci Code

Sky Bubbles

Jewels of Atlantis

Treasure Island

Diamond Detective (pictured)



2007 (so far)

Treasures of Montezuma

Jewel Quest 2

Burger Rush (pictured)

Cradle of Rome

Rainforest Cascade