What is Suika, the Nintendo Switch game everyone’s talking about

The Japanese Suika game, also known as the Watermelon Game, is a score-based puzzle game that has taken the internet by storm. The game is available on Nintendo Switch.

Suika is available exclusively on Switch (Image credit: Nintendo)

2023 proved to be a blockbuster year for games. While big AAA titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of Kingdom, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Hogwarts Legacy topped the charts worldwide, there’s one game in particular that emerged seemingly out of nowhere and became everyone’s favourite. We are talking about the Suika game, also known as the Watermelon game, which has had over 4.4 million downloads since its release in October. The goofy puzzle game has taken the internet by storm, thanks to streamers and Vtubers worldwide. In fact, this little game has become one of Nintendo’s most downloaded games this year. It makes us wonder how a puzzle game that many people hadn’t heard of until recently managed to shatter records in such a short time when every big-ticket game is battling for everyone’s attention in a crowded release calendar.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Suika game, which initially came out in Japan and became an international sensation.

So, what exactly is Suika game?

It’s a simple, straightforward single-player falling puzzle game but can be seriously difficult to fully complete. Think of Suika as similar to other popular puzzle games like “2048” and “Tetris,” and the game involves some physics. As a player, you have to combine similar fruits to make bigger fruits, the largest of which is a watermelon. Getting the best possible score is the main goal. The game starts with an empty box, where players need to drop fruits. When two similar fruits touch, they turn into a bigger fruit. The game keeps going until all the fruits fill up the top of the box, and then you have to start all over again. The tough part is when the fruits don’t stack up on each other. Suika is highly addictive, perhaps the reason for its virality.

Suika is a single-player falling puzzle game (Image credit: Nintendo)

Who is behind the Suika game?

The concept of the Suika game isn’t original. It was a Chinese developer who came up with the idea behind the Suika game with a free mini-online game, Synthetic Big Watermelon. However, the game wasn’t as addictive as Suika. Still, Big Watermelon got the attention of a Japanese company Aladdin X, which released a digital projector a few years ago and included the adorable Suika game as part of the software. Later, Aladdin X and its developer, popIn, brought the game to Nintendo Switch as an eShop exclusive in 2021. Initially, the game was limited to Japanese users. However, after the game became a viral sensation when a few streamers made it popular, Aladdin X decided to release the game internationally. Since its release in October, Suika has become a massive hit and received millions of downloads.

Is Suika game available on smartphones and PCs?

Suika World, a clone game available for free (Image credit: Suika World)

No, the Suika game can only be played on a Nintendo Switch where it can be downloaded from the official eShop for $2.99 (or approximately Rs 249). However, there are plenty of Suika clones available online, including a free web version of the game, which also works on mobile. While you can come across numerous Suika clones on the web, Suika World, a free, browser-based clone, comes closest to replicating the original Switch version, implementing the aesthetics and physics accurately. But the Nintendo Switch version of the game, where it is exclusively available, is more in-depth and features music and better graphics.

Anuj Bhatia

Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle. Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University. Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include: Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech. Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture. Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups. Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech. Authoritativeness & Trust Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape. Find all stories by Anuj Bhatia here. You can find Anuj on Linkedin. ... Read More

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