Hello Kitty Friends Match Soft-Launches in Select Regions for Match-3 Fun, Now in Pre-Registration

If you've been eagerly waiting for a vibrant new match-3 adventure starring some of your favorite Sanrio characters, your wait is officially over—well, at least if you're in the Philippines or Canada. Hello Kitty Friends Match, the charming puzzle game teased just a few weeks ago, has now entered its soft launch phase in these regions, bringing with it a wave of cuteness and colorful excitement.

In this delightful match-3 puzzler, players take on the role of a character tasked with restoring a once-glorious village to its radiant splendor. With the help of Hello Kitty and nine other beloved Sanrio friends—including My Melody, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, and Pompompurin—you'll gather star power and rebuild Dreamland one puzzle at a time. It's a heartwarming concept wrapped in a familiar yet satisfying gameplay loop that fans of the genre should appreciate.

One standout feature of Hello Kitty Friends Match is the extensive customization system. You’ll be able to collect and equip more than a hundred adorable themed costumes for your Sanrio pals, each adding a fresh twist to their iconic looks. Whether you're redecorating homes, unlocking stories, or simply matching tiles to progress, the Sanrio charm remains front and center throughout.

Now, full disclosure: as much as I want to pretend I’m not completely smitten by this release, I can’t deny how irresistibly cute it all is. Sure, I might be slightly disappointed that Gudetama didn't make the cut—but let’s be honest, I'm still 100% on board. Being based in the Philippines, I’ve already downloaded the game and dove right in because when it comes to Sanrio, resistance is futile.

For those not currently in the soft-launch regions, don’t fret—Hello Kitty Friends Match is now open for [ttpp] pre-registration and is expected to launch globally sometime within the first half of the year. If you're itching for similar sweet and relaxing match-3 gameplay until then, check out our list of the best match-3 games on Android to tide you over.

Want to stay up-to-date with the latest news and announcements? Be sure to follow the official Facebook page or visit the studio’s website for more information.