What is the Apple Game?

Apple Game is a puzzle game where players must drag apples whose numbers add up to 10 within a limited time to earn points. While the rules are simple and the gameplay is intuitive, achieving high scores requires quick thinking and strategic planning.

This game first appeared as a Flash game on the Japanese game aggregation site Game Saien (ゲーム菜園) and was later re-released as an HTML5 Canvas version. It gained popularity in South Korea in 2021 through YouTube and resurged in early 2025, thanks to streaming platforms like Chizijik and SOOP.

How to Play

When the game starts, a 17×10 grid is filled with apples, each labeled with a number from 1 to 9. Players must drag a box around apples, and if their sum equals 10, the apples will disappear, earning points.

• Time Limit: 2 minutes
• Apple Removal Condition: The sum of selected numbers must be 10
• Scoring: Each apple removed earns 1 point

Example Apple Combinations

The most common way to remove apples is by pairing two numbers, but multiple-number combinations are also possible.

Two-Number Combinations (Most Frequently Used)

• 1 + 9
• 2 + 8
• 3 + 7
• 4 + 6
• 5 + 5

Three-Number Combinations

• 1 + 1 + 8
• 1 + 2 + 7
• 1 + 3 + 6
• 1 + 4 + 5
• 2 + 2 + 6
• 2 + 3 + 5
• 2 + 4 + 4
• 3 + 3 + 4

Four or More Number Combinations (Rarely Used)

While it is possible to remove apples using five or more numbers, it is rarely practical in real play. Since the game is limited to two minutes, prioritizing quick and efficient combinations is essential.

High-Score Strategies

Achieving a high score in Apple Game requires both luck and strategy.

1. Quickly Analyze Number Placement

Since numbers appear randomly, it is crucial to check how many 9s are present at the start. Since 9 can only be paired with 1, having too many 9s and too few 1s can make clearing the board impossible. Restarting the game when this happens can be a viable strategy.

2. Memorize Quick Combinations

To maximize your score, you must quickly recognize the best number pairs. Memorizing basic combinations (1+9, 2+8, etc.) will significantly improve decision-making speed.

3. Focus on the Center First

Clearing apples from the center helps create more space, allowing new numbers to shift in, making it easier to spot additional combinations.

4. Minimize Unnecessary Dragging

Dragging to create boxes can be time-consuming. Using minimal, precise drags will save valuable time and help you clear apples more efficiently.

Using BGM to Track Time

Since the game lasts two minutes, background music (BGM) can be used to gauge time. The sixth BGM track hits around the 12-second mark before time runs out, signaling that you should aim to maximize points in the final moments.

Even Pro Gamers Struggle with Apple Game

Even Faker, one of the most famous gamers in the world, struggled with Apple Game. After playing, he described it as a luck-based game, emphasizing how difficult it is to achieve the highest possible score without favorable number distribution.

Since the game generates numbers randomly, achieving the highest score is sometimes impossible due to bad luck. Thus, many players restart the game until they get a more favorable board.

The highest possible score is 170 points, but most players achieve around 100 points at best. Reaching the mid-100s is considered impressive!

Play Apple Game Here!

If you want to try your hand at Apple Game, you can play it at the following link:

➡️ Apple Game

Give it a shot and see how high you can score!