Bubble Match 3

Bubble Match 3 is the plainest possible reading of its own name. Bubbles sit on a grid, three or more of a kind come off when you bring them together, and the graphics do the rest of the work — large, glossy and well separated, which makes it one of the easier boards in the catalogue to read quickly.

There is nothing layered on top: no story, no currency, no daily loop. That leaves the board to stand on its own, and it does, because the piece design is clear enough that you spot options rather than hunt for them.

It is the version of the genre to hand to somebody who says they do not play games. Two sentences of explanation and they are playing, and nothing in it will ask them for anything.

1. Swap two neighbouring bubbles to bring three or more of a kind together.
2. Watch the board settle and look for the follow-up match.
3. Play at whatever pace suits you — nothing is counting down.
4. Keep collecting for as long as the board holds out.

On a board this legible, the win is in the refill. Take the match nearest the bottom when two look equal — the falling bubbles rearrange more of the grid and usually hand you the next clear for nothing.