Tap two identical fruits. If a line can join them with no more than two turns - it may route around the outside of the board - both clear together. Empty the whole board and you move on to the next level.
Eight levels in all. Further in, the board is bigger, there are more kinds of fruit, and the clock is tighter. Each level has its own countdown — if it hits zero before the board is clear the run ends, and your score is judged by how many levels you finished.
Two hints per level. Press the button and a connectable pair flashes. Hints reset on the next level, so there is no point saving them.
Every pair you clear scores, and later levels pay more per pair. Finishing a level also gives a clear bonus, and leftover seconds convert into points. So the faster you clear and the further you go, the higher the score.
Start with pairs along the edges and in the corners — they have the most possible routes. Fruits wedged in the middle of the board are best left for last. If you truly cannot find one, use a hint instead of staring at one tile.
Fruit Link is the classic connect-two matching puzzle, also known as link game, pair matching or Onet. It is fine for any age, plays right in the browser, needs no download or sign-up, saves no progress and takes no payment. A round takes two or three minutes — a good way to rest your eyes and your head between tasks.