Boxing Star's puzzle spin-off delivers a knockout punch (or maybe a low blow?) to the match-3 genre. This isn't your grandma's Candy Crush!

The popular sports sim, Boxing Star, enters the puzzle arena with Boxing Star - PvP Match 3, now available on Android and iOS. Prepare for head-to-head match-3 battles where combos and high scores determine the victor in a surprisingly violent twist on the familiar formula.

Unlike most match-3 games focused on gentler themes, Boxing Star - PvP Match 3 brings the adrenaline-pumping world of boxing to the forefront. Your in-game avatar literally punches their opponent's face based on your puzzle performance. It's a unique inversion of the typical match-3 experience, offering a decidedly less "family-friendly" vibe.

While the concept is innovative and stands out from the crowd of relaxing match-3 titles (think Gossip Harbour or Candy Crush), the execution feels somewhat lacking. The game appears to reuse assets from the original Boxing Star, and the match-3 mechanics themselves are fairly generic.

Despite some rough edges, Boxing Star - PvP Match 3 offers a unique take on competitive puzzling. After a few rounds, you might want to explore other top-tier puzzle games. Check out our regularly updated list of the 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android for more options!