For years, Match-3, Merge, and Blast games have dominated the mobile puzzle genre, accounting for roughly 80% of total puzzle game revenue. However, according to a new AppMagic analysis, the market is gradually shifting as newer Hybridcasual subgenres—including Sort, Block, and Screw—continue to gain momentum.
While the traditional leaders remain strong in revenue, their combined share of installs has dropped significantly over the past decade, making room for a new generation of puzzle experiences.
The report highlights that each of these three subgenres has followed a different path to success.
- The report identifies Sort Puzzle as one of the biggest success stories in the genre. Rather than relying on a single blockbuster, the category has continued to expand through multiple gameplay variations that each attract different audiences. This has allowed the subgenre to grow without developers directly competing for the same player base. At the beginning of 2026, Sort Puzzle even overtook Blast to become the third-largest puzzle subgenre by IAP revenue.
- Block Puzzle, meanwhile, continues to evolve beyond its classic Tetris-inspired roots. Games such as Block Blast! built massive audiences through advertising-driven monetization, while newer titles like Color Block Jam introduced more structured level design and stronger in-app purchase systems. According to AppMagic, the genre’s combination of ad revenue and IAP makes it one of the healthiest and most sustainable segments in today’s puzzle market.
- The report also highlights the rapid rise of Screw Puzzle, which has become one of the fastest-growing Hybridcasual genres in just a few years. Although recent hits have demonstrated the category’s commercial potential, the genre’s long-term success will depend on developers continuing to innovate with new mechanics, LiveOps strategies, and monetization systems rather than relying on the original formula.
Source: AppMagic
Hybridcasual puzzle categories are expanding the market instead of replacing established genres outright. By blending accessible gameplay with deeper progression systems and diversified monetization, Sort, Block, and Screw games are attracting new audiences while reshaping the competitive landscape of mobile puzzle games.
