The geek in me can’t just play Candy Crush. Instead of merely wasting my evening, lining up pieces of brightly colored candy on the iPad, I also spend an inordinate amount of time thinking through the construction of the different levels. What makes a level frustrating vs. challenging? Which is more dreaded: multiplying chocolate pieces or multi-layered jellies? I threw these questions out there to the vast Internet, trying to figure out what was the hardest level of Candy Crush.
Could we collectively create a grading system that could give players a heads up on the difficulty before they approach the board, much in the same way golf course holes tell the player the par? If a person knew that a level was going to be difficult, would they approach it in a different way than if they thought it was easy?
Eighteen percent of people answered that 65 was the most difficult level. Sure, there were other levels that were on the most dreaded list, but 65 bubbled up to the top as the most dreaded board. Which makes sense since it brings together many of the most frustrating elements: licorice, chocolate, and jellies. Other least favorite levels included 33, 70, 79, 97, 125, 147, 165, 252, and 410.
In terms of types of board, three challenges held the most frustration. Twenty-eight percent of people dislike the timed levels, stating that they make them too tense to enjoy the game. Twenty-six percent of people dislike bringing down the ingredients because sometimes it takes too long for the ingredients to make an appearance on the screen. And 18% of people dislike the ones that have the player clear the jelly because it’s redundant and often takes luck (rather than skill) to clear.
Even knowing that the game often makes me want to chuck the iPad against the wall, I’ve been encouraging my twins to play. When they pass a board, they feel great. But even when they don’t pass a board, it gives us an opportunity to apply ideas from school to this fairly bland game. Think of Candy Crush as the equivalent to gaming tofu: it takes on the flavor of whatever you need it to be.
I mean, for adults, it can be anything from a time-waster in line to a relax-before-bed ritual to a half-listening-in-a-meeting distraction. And for kids, we’ve used it to explain everything from essay writing techniques (lining up the three supports in order to create a cascade effect of ideas!) to order of operations. Truly, nothing drives home the point that everything from problem solving to programming requires a structured approach than handing them a board with multiplying chocolates, candy bombs, and jellies to clear and asking them in what order they’ll tackle the problem to solve it. They learn quickly that order really does matter, and going out of order brings about unintended results.
One annoying game: so many uses.
The boards worth playing — not the ones above that annoy the hell out of people because they rely more on luck than anything else — are the ones that require actual strategy. That bend the mind as you work to line up those candies. Because yes, it may come across as a frivolous game when you see the guy sitting next to you on the Metro spend a half hour sliding around colored pictures of candy. But don’t be fooled by the carnival music and falling candy clicks like bubble wrap popping: you can get hours of mind-stretching, strategy-building fun out of a single, well-constructed board.
The sort that make you smile with relief when the screen lights up with Sugar Crush.
Fess up: are you playing Candy Crush, and what has been your hardest board?
I am stuck on Level 20…it wont let me pass until friends send me lives…any suggestions?
if you’re playing it on your smartphone, go into the menu’s and disconnect from facebook. When you go back to the level change screen you’ll be given the option to “play quests” to get past the “lock” Beat the 3 quests (you have to wait a day between each, or adjust your phone to say it’s the next day your choice) And you’re good to move on.
As well on a smartphone/Tablet you can always move the date and time ahead and get more lives Etc… just jump into the settings. add the time, Jump back into the game to make sure the lives get registers. Then go back to the settings, and turn it back to the actual time.
Im on 461 and its an annoying level
Right now I’m also stuck in Level 79 for 1 month. Tried every tactics won’t work. Don’t want to waste all the doughnuts I got from spinning the wheel. Grrrrr!
definitely the hardest …LUCK NEEDED
If you have it for your phone, turn in airplane mode and complete the quests.
just completed level 770, I would say that the hardest was level 735.
I’m at 755, and I have to agree with you 735 took me about 3 weeks and a whole lot of luck.
moved on to level 785 got 7 levels in a row with 3 stars, waiting for more levels.
That’s really odd — level 20? There are gatekeeping levels, but they begin at 35. Your lives will regenerate every half hour. So to get back up to the full 5 lives (or 5 turns), just wait 2 1/2 hours.
I just beat level 350. It’s a very hard level. I also want to give a hello to a fellow Umass Amherst Grad.
Level 350; I can only dream. I’m currently on 241.
I think this only proves the superiority of UMass and their programs.
I am on Level 348, hoping to see level 350 soon 🙂
Be careful what you wish for. Probably the hardest level I’ve played (I’m on 468 now)
Today I passed level 350 after 3 weeks. It was the hardest level so far.
Stuck on level 350 for a few days :). But it is all fun.
350 was my hardest level so far also with a close second at 347
Good luck I have been stuck on it for 6 months no lie it actually let me past got to level 409 and won’t let me go to the next level talk about frustrating recently I saved 5 lollipops to whack the remaining candies had one left and was going to buy a booster and wouldn’t log onto Google play I was going to smash my tablet not fair!!!grrrr
I’m stuck on level 350 for over a month now, very frustrated and pis@&€d off! Feeling ridiculous and stupid! Grrrrrrrrr!
I don’t know how long I was stuck on level 350 but it is possible….but I don’t know who beat it for me…..because I signed on tonight and all of a sudden I was on level 351 – I personally never beat 350. Is it possible to be sent to the next level after so many attempts? Someone beat it for me but it wasn’t me.
Same thing happened to me ! I am able to play 351 and never finished 350 but only on my computer
on my cell I cant but still showing I completed 351 , 352 and so on ..
For what ever reason, my laptop has a bow for level 350 and I was able to play on. My Cell and Tablet, I’m stuck on level 350. Stuck for month now…
Same here got to level 409 and no further wondering if that has anything to do with it
I’ve just finished level 350 also. It was very difficult.
I believe it toke me about 6 months to beat that level. Simply horrible.
Why is a woman writing an article on GeekDad?
Probably because this is not the 17th century anymore.
LOL!
See my fascinating articles on applying trigonometric equations to sandwich making on geekmom
See my fascinating article on applying trigonometry to sandwich making techniques on geekmom
I wondered the same thing lol!!! What does the 17th century have anything to do with it.
Because its doesn’t matter?
I’m on level 428! Once you get past the dreaded 35, 65, and 165 the levels get “easier”. Or is it that I’ve finally figured the levels out?
How did you beat 421?
If you happen to get two stripes together right away-great. Otherwise it’s easier to get rid of the pies first. Otherwise any stripes that you’ve made will blow up once the pies are smashed. The four stripes in each corner are kind of worthless.
The four stripes in the corner are not worthless. Kill one pie without touching the corners on one side, and you are given a free stripe-stripe combo (provided the dropped pieces do not set off a stripe). One combo down. For the rest, getting rid of pies opens the level up, making it easier to find more stripe possibilities, BUT once all 4 pies are gone and both tornadoes return, this level becomes mostly luck based. Pies will give you a chance to reset the board if pieces are not falling your way, plus it gets rid of the pesky tornadoes allowing for some easier planning. Only target pies if you cannot see possibilities for stripe combos. Using this method, you can tip this level to more skill based (rather than luck), and pass it with relative ease (I have gone through this level twice now. The first time, I managed to get through it before exhausting a full set of lives. The second time, it took three full sets of lives. Bottom line, you can pass it).
I got it now stuck on 425!
fucking gonna give up on that level
I have been stuck on 421 for a month. I don’t even see how buying boosters could help with this level. I’m pretty close to quitting.
I’m on level 266… Holiday hut is a hard episode. The hardest levels for me have been 65, 181, and 213. Other than that nbd.
181 is impossible if you want to pass it without paying. At least for me.
dude, i’ve been stuck on 181 for 2 weeks. i’m seriously considering paying but i don’t know. i’m surprised it’s not listed as one of the hated levels.
The trick is getting a war append and stripped candy combo, or cookie plus stripped. I just pass edit after being stuck for 2 weeks
I need more levels im thur with 440
Up to level 500 via facebook.
How many people reached 500 does it only go to 515?
By far the most annoying for me is 197. Hate it. Boring and absolutely worthless. Makes me want to quit the f’n game.
YES. It’s been like 2 months! I firmly believe that some levels are harder on some devices than others.
I play on both the iphone and facebook on my computer. I’ve noticed that a number of levels are, in fact, different on the two platforms. When they are different, the level is *usually*, though not always, easier on facebook.
It’s true!
You ain’t seen nothing yet. Level 417 is probably the most infuriating one there is
Agreed! This is where I am stuck. It’s the worst!! Don’t want to give up but I don’t see how I can beat this level 🙁
Amen, RedVelvet. 417 is so far beyond awful, words can’t even describe this level. I know some people have passed it, but only with stupidly dumb luck.
stuck on level 254. Can anyone help
Agreed.. i am on level 499 and i was most annoyed with 417 when i place 197 as second most annoying level
I am stuck on level 197 too. Hate it! Been so close so many times and they the CC pay machine kicks in so you have to pay to complete it. Annoying.
Been there for three weeks and my roommate is asking me why I am screaming at the computer.
Levels 425, 311, and 213 have been the most aggravating for me (the whole soda swamp episode was a pain since it was 90% luck, levels 411 – 425). Helping other people pass some of the earlier “difficult” levels, they seem a lot easier now.
Nail on the head for 411 – 425 buddy..
425, took me quite a lot to beat it. Anyway, this game is 50/50 skill/luck !
Level 425 has had me stuck for over a month—apparently it was a little easier previously. Now you need 230 blues and the bombs start at 9. I’ve seen some forums where the bombs used to be at 10 or 14. I have gotten all five stripe/wrap combos once without running out of moves, bombs exploding, or tornadoes taking out my next move—only to not get enough blues!!! Way too much luck needed for this one—it might just do me in unless an update changes it. I refuse to purchase any boosters
omg level 419 is the hardest yet!!!
I hated 208, not that it was SO HARD but because it was boring as hell! Now I am stuck on 226…
Can’t get past level 97!!!!! Been on it for two weeks. Any suggestions
347 is making me its bitch. Why has no one complained about it? It’s one of the only ones that’s really stuck me.
passed this level yesterday and it is one of the hardest as have to make 10 wrapper bombs, not easy task, would suggest to pay attention to make bomb candies, chocolate balls are no problem 🙂
I agree. 347 was bad. One reason I suspect few complain – it’s different on Facebook vs. iPhone app. Try it on both platforms. You might find one easier than the other.
I agree! Hardest one there is!!
I agree about 347. Been stuck there for seemingly months now. Never took more than a week at most to get past any other supposedly difficult level, the rest often in one or two tries. 347, the closest I’ve gotten is both bombs and 8 wrapped candies. I’m thinking now my error has been only using the phone app. Haven’t tried this level on the computer…. hmmm…. going to try, try again….
That was the ticket. Only took 3-4 tries and I was finally past 347 so if you can’t get it on the phone app, try the PC version and you’ll probably knock it out fairly quickly. Totally different play on the two versions. Good luck!
it’s about 1 month that i could’nt get level 86. f**k
yeah, 86 is tough without boosters.
still haven’t passed 86. Ugh.
I hate level 100 with the bombs popping when you run out of bomb moves!!!!
Never continue until I reach 3stars. Stuck on 117, been playing for days for sure the toughest level so far
I’m at the max, so there are no new levels. So now I’m going back and getting 3 stars on each. I’m at 2 on 117.. but can’t get three 🙁
102 is killing me…if its not the chocolate, its the bombs. Before this…29/30 were my hardest.
Levels that are hard for me may be easier for others. Choosing your opening board carefully, reading the hints from others and getting lucky help.
I was stuck on level 350 for a long time…craziest level yet…finally had to cave in and use a power-up…not too proud but made it to level 460 now 😀
181
word.
I thought level 65 was hard until I hit 125! Took me 3 days to beat it but 12 days on 65! On 125 many tries shut me down as no matches for those two bombs! The way I beat it after clearing the bombs was 2 striped with a speckled ball horizontal and cleared the board! Luck- as I do not understand how to create blasters! This game is so frustrating at times! Also at times there is a glitch and before even nearing target score up pops Sugar Crush and a few pieces start to fall then BAM- game ends?! It is like the board gets confused! I could clearly see target not reached during the 3 times this has happened. Then told I failed – which I was aware of! Wondering if others have experienced this.
im waiting for a new update as im at the end and whilst im waiting for an update im going back and getting 3 stars on every level im currently on level 182 i WILL complete the game
only goes up to 500 on the puter
Some of my hardest levels aren’t even mentioned. How about 275 & 361?
Agreed! On 275 which is the pits and those 3 chance bombs are killing me. Even with fish matched with stripes, colour bombs and stripes I still ignite the bombs…It’s a luck one for sure. Think I’ll be here awhile.
I agree…. 275 was my hardest so far! I though I would never pass it.
Guess I’m the only one who finds level 86 to be the hardest so far…i just can’t get past it for days now…help!!!
86 level.. its the hardest one definitely
level 86 was a b*tch
In case anyone here is unaware if you’re playing on your phone (Iphone or android) and you run out of lives, you can go in your settings and set the phone time to tommorow and you get 5 more lives!! Then go back and set your time correctly.
If you set your time correctly after you are back to 0 lives it will say you have 1000+ hours til your next life lol
for me, too. I used hammers
yup free lives by adjusting (manually) your time forward for another 3 hours, go back into candy crush for full lives, then jump back out to settings and set your time back to automatic to get the correct time, go back in candy crush and the full lives will still be there.
I really liked the game but the luck based nature of it kind of frustrated me at times. I decided to make a more skill based variant as a result. In my game, you can see all the blocks from the beginning of the level (no random blocks fall down) and in every level there is a way of clearing all the blocks (no arbitrary score targets). It’s called Block Zero and it’s available for Android. Try it out.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cocotrap.blockzero
well iam up to level 500 been here for a few weeks and waiting on candy crush to come up with more levels..wish they would hurry up.
Stuck on a supposedly easy level but my luck ran out at 140. All but one candy to go and failed. Since then nowhere close. No boards with combos possible for me. So I guess my saga has ended here. Congrats to those who made it to the higher levels! Hard to think I made it this far without paying for help but failed at what should be a no brainer!
I was really frustrated with level 140, it was hard and I found it very boring. I finally passed and cruised through to level 147….I have been stuck there for at least 2 months and and ready to give up. I even gave my iPhone to a friend one day for a couple of hours to try and get me through since he is somewhere in the 180s…..I am starting to HATE this game!!!!
Hah- I guess I had to admit failure as I just passed 140 after 3 days of failing -gave it another try. The combos I needed fell into place. I still do not understand how to make some combos so this win was sheer luck!
Eve- thank YOU! Sometimes I feel alone in my struggles. I am a 73 year old retired RN so I am not a dunderhead but this game at times makes me feel like one ESP when I see others way ahead. I know my reflexes are a bit slower and I freeze on timed levels. I have played some old levels waiting for next quest and unable to pass some of them again. Since I am back in the game will hope I too breeze thru the next several levels! 🙂
I should have added I am dreading 147! Out of the frying pan into the fire! Yikes- let me know when you make it out of there, Sounds like a lot of luck needed on that level too! So- Good Luck! That is all that got me thru many levels- the right moves just falling into the right place and many were on my last move!
I am currently suck on level 410…I’ve been here for a couple of days now…can’t seem to get all this jelly cleared. My absolute hardest level was 350. I was stuck their for over two months. I just really wanna beat this game!
that’s a easy one
452 and I’m still waiting they update the game on android devices!!
Well, level 79 is one of the hardest for me and now I am still waiting for my three tickets in order to go to level 81.
Iam ready to go to 81 what tickets are you waiting for.
I passed 65 on my first go and when everyone told me it was hard I tried it again and passed again.
After a week on 125 I finally crushed it. No I only have option of paying or inviting guests. No quest. What gives? My goal was to pay no money. Any advice?
Disconnect from Facebook and quests will appear
Level 57 🙁 been stuck for 2 days
245 took me forever! I got 4/5 combos numerous times. Finally got it tonight!!
Level 410 before they updated it was EVIL, IMPOSSIBLE, THE WORST! Once they updated it and added and extra column on both sides still hard but not as bad. But I’d have to say that 350 and 453 were extremely difficult for me. I have never bought a single booster so that could be why, but I refuse to buy them. Right now I am just waiting for the next update for android devices so I can move on to 456…
Thank you! Been stuck on 350 for over 1 month, about to toss in the game. I refuse to buy boosters so I think that’s it for me. 350 is hell
I’ve just finished level 500 and I must say that the hardest levels according to me are 311 and 461
To do this correctly, exit the game, change your date on your device, open the game and click Play. Then exit the game completely, change your date/time back to current, and once again launch the game. You will have your 5 lives and your date/time will be current. It’s a pain in the backside, but so is waiting 2.5 hours for more lives.
You can also finish your quests all in one day (on a tablet). Finish the first quest successfully, exit out of the game, change the date on your device to the next day, then launch the game again. Your second quest will now be available and you can complete that one. Then rinse and repeat for the third quest. Be sure that you are finished with the quests AND have your full 5 lives before you set your date and time back, however, or you’ll have to wait those 2+ days for your lives to regenerate.
I recommend checking out candycrush-cheats.com. they have in depth tips specific to almost every level, it helps a lot when you’re stuck
There are two problems with your comment
(a) It’s a website called geekdad
(b) It’s a website
reply fail
Lvls 165 and 275 were both real PITA’s. Whoever designed 275 is a major league misanthropist.
Does anyone know how many people have beat Level 500? I did. Three days after I won, another world opened and its fun. I was just wondering how many of us there are… And I want a job. lol