2048

What started as a weekend coding project by Italian developer Gabriele Cirulli in March 2014 became one of the most viral puzzle games in internet history. 2048's premise sounds trivial—slide numbered tiles, combine matching pairs, reach 2048. Yet millions discovered an elegant strategic depth that transforms simple arithmetic into genuine addiction.

Each swipe matters. Move tiles carelessly and the 4x4 grid fills with mismatched numbers, blocking progress. Masters plan several moves ahead, keeping their highest tile cornered while building chains that cascade into satisfying combos. The moment 2+2 becomes 4, then 8, then 16, climbing toward that golden 2048 tile—it's pure dopamine.

Reaching 2048 isn't the end. Endless mode continues the climb toward 4096, 8192, and beyond—tiles so rare they feel mythical. Grid variants (3x3, 5x5, 6x6) offer fresh challenges while themed versions swap numbers for emojis or characters.

Play free at 2048game.com or grab mobile versions on iOS and Android. No accounts, no ads interrupting gameplay—just pure puzzle perfection.