# Number Merge

> Slide the tiles and merge matching numbers.

Slide every tile on a 4 by 4 board at once. When two tiles with the same number bump together, they merge into one tile worth double, and a new tile pops in after every move. Your character stands on the board's corner, thinking hard when the board fills up, cheering big merges and dancing when you make 2048. There's no timer, so take your time and plan ahead.

- Play: https://sidekickarcade.com/play/number-merge/ (in the browser, phone or computer, free, no sign-up)
- Neighborhood: [Puzzle Park](https://sidekickarcade.com/category/puzzle/index.md)
- Controls: Swipes, arrow keys or buttons
- Best on: portrait screens
- Coins for goals: 1 per 500 points, up to 12 a run

## How to play

1. Swipe anywhere on the game, or press the arrow keys or WASD, to slide every tile one way. A swipe acts the moment your finger moves, and every swipe, key or button press makes exactly one move. On a touch screen you can switch on arrow buttons with the Buttons switch, and your choice is saved.
2. Two tiles with the same number merge into one worth double, and you score its value.
3. A new 2 or 4 appears after every move. Make the 2048 tile to win, then keep going for a bigger score if you like.
4. The game ends when the board is full and nothing can merge. Your best score is saved in this browser.

## Tips

- Keep your biggest tile in one corner and build the row along it.
- Mostly use two or three directions, and save the fourth for when you're stuck.
- Merge small tiles early, before they scatter across the board.
- There's no timer, so think before every move.

## Questions

### Is it free?

Yes. It's free to play in your browser, with no download and no sign-up. Coins you earn are for fun and can never be bought.

### What happens when I make 2048?

You win, and you can keep going for a bigger score if you like.

### When does the game end?

When the board is full and no two tiles can merge.

### Can I play on a phone or tablet?

Yes. It's built for touch first and plays the same on a phone, a tablet, a Chromebook or a computer.

## Achievements

- **First slide** (bronze, 10 coins): Finish your first game.
- **Getting bigger** (bronze, 20 coins): Make a 128 tile.
- **Regular** (bronze, 30 coins): Play 10 games.
- **Halfway there** (silver, 40 coins): Make a 512 tile.
- **Five thousand** (silver, 40 coins): Score 5,000 points in one game.
- **So close** (gold, 60 coins): Make a 1024 tile.
- **Merge master** (gold, 100 coins): Make the 2048 tile.
- **Beyond 2048** (diamond, 150 coins): Keep going and make a 4096 tile.

## More to play

- Slide Puzzle (coming soon): Slide the tiles back into order. (Puzzle Park)
- Sparkle Swap (coming soon): Swap gems to line up three or more. (Puzzle Park)
- [Snake](https://sidekickarcade.com/play/snake/index.md): Eat the berries, grow a little longer, and don't bite your own tail. (Arcade Alley)