Match 3 is a puzzle game where the player needs to match 3 or more similar items in a grid to score points and progress through levels. The game typically involves swapping adjacent items to form a match of 3 or more in a row or column. The matched items then disappear, allowing new items to fill in the gap and potentially create more matches. The objective is to reach a specific goal, such as reaching a certain score or clearing the board of all items, within a limited number of moves or time. The game often includes special items, such as bombs or lightning bolts, that can clear a larger area when matched, adding strategy to the gameplay.