Cover art for JankenPRO

JankenPRO

Master Rock-Paper-Scissors meets Match-3 in this unique puzzle hybrid

BlockJankenPRO
7.7(327 votes)

JankenPRO

JankenPRO — Where RPS Meets Match-3 Strategy

JankenPRO - RPS Puzzle Hybrid

JankenPRO breaks new ground by merging two classic game mechanics into something genuinely innovative. On the surface, it looks simple—drop Rock, Paper, and Scissors blocks to create matches. But beneath that simplicity lies a dual-system puzzle game where every placement triggers an RPS battle, and every battle outcome shapes your strategy. This isn't just Match-3. This isn't just Rock-Paper-Scissors. This is both, simultaneously, creating pressure-filled decisions with every falling block.

🎮 What is JankenPRO?

JankenPRO (also known as JankenDrop) is a high-speed puzzle game that combines Match-3 mechanics with Rock-Paper-Scissors combat logic. Every piece you drop serves two purposes: it attempts to match with similar blocks for clearing, and it battles whatever block it lands on top of using RPS rules.

The genius of JankenPRO lies in its dual-pressure system. Match-3 clears are your tool for destroying Junk Blocks that clog your grid. RPS victories let you convert blocks, setting up future matches. But RPS losses punish you by creating more Junk Blocks. Meanwhile, a timer counts down and a floor rises from below, constantly adding new pieces and reducing your available space. You're not just building matches—you're fighting a battle on multiple fronts simultaneously.

🕹️ Controls

JankenPRO uses straightforward arrow key controls for fast-paced block placement:

ActionControl
Move Block Left← Left Arrow
Move Block Right→ Right Arrow
Drop Block Faster↓ Down Arrow
Instant DropSpace (if available)
Pause GameESC or P

The simple two-button control scheme allows you to focus entirely on strategic decisions rather than complex inputs.

🧩 How to Play JankenPRO

The Dual Mechanic System

JankenPRO requires mastering two interconnected systems simultaneously:

Match-3 System

Align 3 or more blocks of the same type (Rock, Paper, or Scissors) horizontally or vertically to clear them. This is your primary tool for:

  • Destroying Junk Blocks that otherwise can't be removed
  • Creating space on the grid
  • Setting up combo chains
  • Completing level objectives

RPS Battle System

Every block you drop onto another block triggers a Rock-Paper-Scissors battle:

  • Rock beats Scissors – Rock crushes Scissors
  • Scissors beats Paper – Scissors cuts Paper
  • Paper beats Rock – Paper wraps Rock

Battle Outcomes:

  • Win (e.g., Paper on Rock) – Convert the bottom block to match your dropped piece, helping set up matches
  • Lose (e.g., Paper on Scissors) – The bottom block becomes a permanent Junk Block, penalizing careless drops
  • Tie (same on same) – Blocks stack without conversion or penalty

Mission-Based Gameplay

JankenPRO levels aren't just about survival—they have specific objectives:

  • Chained Block Missions – Destroy X number of special "Chained" blocks (e.g., "Destroy 10 Chained Rocks")
  • Chained Blocks are Immune – They ignore Match-3 clears completely
  • RPS is the Only Solution – Hit a Chained Rock with Paper, Chained Scissors with Rock, etc.
  • Strategic Targeting – Plan your drops to hit chained blocks while managing the regular grid

The Rising Pressure

Two systems create constant urgency in JankenPRO:

  1. Countdown Timer – Complete your mission before time runs out
  2. Rising Floor – New pieces continuously push up from below, filling the grid and increasing pressure

Core Strategy

Success in JankenPRO requires balancing multiple priorities:

  1. Avoid Creating Junk – Think before dropping; losing an RPS battle creates permanent obstacles
  2. Target Chained Blocks – Progress toward your mission while managing the grid
  3. Set Up Combos – Use RPS conversions to create massive Match-3 chains
  4. Manage Space – The rising floor means you can't afford to fill the top of the grid

📸 JankenPRO Gameplay Evolution

JankenPRO Starting Strategy

🎲 Early Game - Learning the Hybrid

Your first JankenPRO levels teach you the fundamental tension between Match-3 and RPS systems. You'll drop a Paper piece, watch it convert a Rock below, and suddenly understand how battles create strategic opportunities. You'll also drop Paper onto Scissors, watch it become Junk, and immediately feel the punishment for careless play.

Early missions keep objectives simple—"Destroy 5 Chained Rocks"—giving you time to internalize the dual mechanics. The rising floor moves slowly, the timer is generous, and the grid has plenty of space. Use these introductory levels to experiment with RPS outcomes and understand how conversion chains work.

JankenPRO Complex Strategy

🧠 Mid-Game - Strategic Planning

As you progress through JankenPRO, the interplay between systems becomes your main challenge. You'll face situations where you need to hit a Chained Rock with Paper, but dropping Paper there would lose an RPS battle against adjacent Scissors. You'll see perfect Match-3 setups blocked by Junk that requires specific matches to clear.

This is where planning multiple moves ahead becomes essential. Expert players think in sequences: "Drop Rock here to convert this Scissors, creating a vertical Rock match that will clear this Junk, opening a path to hit that Chained Paper with Scissors." Every move cascades into future possibilities.

JankenPRO Time Pressure

⚡ High-Pressure Scenarios

Late-game JankenPRO levels introduce serious pressure. The rising floor accelerates, the timer tightens, and missions demand destroying 15+ chained blocks. Now you're not just playing strategically—you're making rapid decisions under extreme pressure.

The grid fills with a chaotic mix of regular blocks, Junk, and scattered chained targets. You need to hit specific blocks while avoiding RPS losses while clearing space while the floor rises relentlessly. This is JankenPRO at its most intense: a mental juggling act where every second and every placement matters.

JankenPRO Chain Reactions

🏆 Mastery and Combos

True JankenPRO mastery comes from creating massive chain reactions. A single well-placed block can trigger an RPS conversion that completes a Match-3, which clears Junk, which allows another match, which hits a chained block, which creates space for more drops.

Expert players see the entire grid as an interconnected system. They recognize setups that will trigger cascading victories. They understand which RPS battles to fight and which to avoid. They know exactly when to prioritize mission completion versus grid management. This level of play transforms JankenPRO from a frantic puzzle game into a strategic symphony.

Gameplay Video