Candy Crush Saga is among the most popular games of the modern age. With hundreds of millions of players, it’s a game that combines relaxation with a compelling “just one more go” approach. You could say much the same thing about casual gaming classic, Microsoft Solitaire, the game that introduced many of us to the beloved solo card game when it was included on Windows PCs from 1990.

Perhaps it’s no wonder, then, that today sees the release of Candy Crush Solitaire for iOS and Android devices – it’s a combination of Candy Crush’s vibrant looks and beloved mechanics with Solitaire’s enduring appeal.

“We saw an opportunity to bring together two timeless gaming experiences, Candy Crush Saga and Solitaire, both of which offer a satisfying balance of relaxation and challenge,” King Executive Producer Marta Cortinas tells me. “Extensive research and player testing showed strong demand for a product that combines strategic card play with engaging visuals and creative mechanics. The goal was to create a fresh, immersive experience that retains the strategic depth of Solitaire while incorporating the vibrant and rewarding gameplay that Candy Crush Saga is known for​. The first step was identifying the right type of solitaire gameplay that would best align with the Candy Crush experience.”

Unlike the suit-matching solitaire you might be familiar with – known as Klondike – a key change here is that Candy Crush Solitaire bases itself on another variant, known as TriPeaks.

“TriPeaks Solitaire differs from Klondike in that it focuses more on clearing a board by playing cards in ascending or descending order, rather than building suits,” explains Cortinas. “This means players can focus on making strategic decisions without being restricted by suit or color. It was the right choice for Candy Crush Solitaire because it allows for a faster-paced, more intuitive gameplay experience that aligns with the rewarding, pick-up-and-play nature of the Candy Crush franchise​.

“Its mechanics provide a great blend of strategy and progression, similar to how players advance in Candy Crush levels. From there, we layered in the signature Candy Crush Saga elements, colorful boosters, engaging progression, and collectible rewards, ensuring that players would recognize the familiar sense of accomplishment and fun from our franchise​.”

For Candy Crush players, those elements will be immediately familiar. The Color Bomb and Lollipop Hammer boosters from Saga make appearances here to help you along, obstacles in your game will (of course) be candy-themed, and Candy Crush characters will make appearances along the way, taking you on an adventure outside of the Candy Kingdom for the first time.

Which brings us to another big change to Solitaire – progression. The original card game tends to be built for standalone rounds but, in classic Candy Crush style, each round of Candy Crush Solitaire is now part of a series of escalating levels.

“Progression in Candy Crush Solitaire is designed to feel just as rewarding as in other Candy Crush games,” says Cortinas. “Players advance by completing levels and unlocking postcards from various locations around the world, adding a collectible element to the game. Additionally, we’ve introduced the ‘Hold Slot’ mechanic, which allows players to strategically set aside a card for later use, adding another layer of progression and planning​. We have the same plan for Candy Crush Solitaire – as with our other live games – of adding new levels each week to help our players keep progressing through the game and always refining and tweaking those levels, to ensure we are hitting expectations when it comes to delivering the best quality content for our players.”

The team at King is committed not only to adding new levels, but tweaking the game based on player feedback, introducing new gameplay mechanics, and keeping things moving with seasonal events, challenges, and rewards. Solitaire might be a static game, but Candy Crush Solitaire certainly won’t be.

As the first new Candy Crush game since 2018, it’s clearly something King is very proud of, and excited to release. I ask why this game was chosen to continue the franchise’s lineage:

“We only launch a new game when we believe we have something truly special to offer,” enthuses Cortinas. “Our business is built on testing and learning, to ensure the experience we’re giving our players is the best we can deliver. The Solitaire genre has been growing, and our research showed strong interest from both Candy Crush players and Solitaire fans in a game that merges the best of both worlds. After extensive testing and refinement, we saw that Candy Crush Solitaire had the potential to be a meaningful and engaging addition to the franchise​.”

It’s all the more special that King is now a part of Microsoft, home of the version of Solitaire many played for the very first time. In some ways, this game is the continuation of two gaming lineages.

Candy Crush Solitaire is available today for iOS and Android devices.