🎮 My First Pico-8 Game · Episode 5 of 6 · See All Episodes
🧩 Episode 5 · Advanced · Builds on Episodes 1-4

Gem Crusher!
Match-3

Swap gems to create matches of three or more, build combo chains and race against the clock. Learn grid algorithms and animation sequences.

👶 Ages 9+⏱️ ~2 Hours🎮 Pico-8✓ Free
🔄 Swap✨ Combos⏱️ Timer🎬 Animation📊 Grid Logic
🧩 Let's Build! Start Step 1← All Episodes🖨️ Print Guide
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Level 1
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Reference cartridge: download the finished, playable Pico-8 cart for this workshop: ⬇ pico8-match3-reference.zip. Every code block also has a Copy button.
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How to run: Open PICO-8, paste the code in the CODE tab, and press Ctrl+R to run!
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How it works: write the code in each step, and the canvas on the right shows what your code does. It is a live preview that builds the game as you go. Type to see it update, or press Apply to Canvas to test it straight away.
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Lumo says: every step adds one feature to the same game. Type a little, click Apply to Canvas, and test it straight away. There is no wrong answer you can't undo.

Build Match-3 Step by Step

Each step adds one feature. Write the code, watch it come alive in the canvas, then make it your own.

Step 1 / 6
A grid of gems that swap and match
🎉🧩✨💎⏱️
You Built a Match-3 Game!

Amazing, you've made a real puzzle game with gem swapping, combos, gravity and a timer. Now try the final episode!

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🎮 Episode 6: Platformer →

This workshop was free and took many hours to build. If it helped you learn something new, consider supporting the project.

☕ Support on Ko-fi
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Code Order: PICO-8 Game Loop
+20 XP
Drag these PICO-8 Lua lines into the correct order for the _update() and _draw() functions.
if btn(1) then player_x += speed end
function _update()
function _draw()
if btn(0) then player_x -= speed end
end
cls(0)
spr(1, player_x, player_y)
end
🎮 Build Match 3 in the PICO-8 Studio Pick the game in the browser, tune it, play it live at 128x128, then download a real .p8 cart for PICO-8. No install. Open the Studio →