Every mechanic in Color Block Jam, explained
Color Block Jam is easy to learn and hard to master because the boards keep introducing new obstacles. This guide lists every mechanic in the game, what each one does to the board, and the habit that gets you past it. When a level stumps you, come back here, identify the obstacle, and apply its rule.
Basic mechanics
These obstacles appear through the early and mid levels. Most of them restrict how or when a block can move.
Arrow
Arrow blocks can only be moved in the direction their arrow points.
Layer
Layered blocks are wrapped in outer layers that must be removed one at a time before the block inside can exit.
Ice
Ice freezes a block in place. Clearing a set number of other blocks breaks the ice and frees it.
Star
Star blocks can only leave through star gates, although normal blocks may also pass through star gates.
Combined
Combined blocks are two blocks stuck together. Clearing one of the parts separates them.
Chained Blocks
Chained blocks are locked in place. Clearing a set number of key blocks breaks the chains.
Door
Doors open and close as blocks are cleared. A block can only pass while the door is open.
Wooden Blocks
Wooden obstacles show a hit counter and must be hit that many times before they break.
Movable Obstacles
Movable obstacle blocks can be pushed around the board but never cleared.
Ropes
Roped blocks are tied up. Clearing scissor blocks of the same color cuts the ropes.
Bomb
Bombs must be cleared before they explode.
Iced Door
An iced door is frozen shut. Clearing a set number of blocks breaks the ice around it.
Moving Door Lock
The moving door lock travels to the next door in a fixed direction, locking each door it reaches.
Colorful Path
Colorful paths can only be used by blocks of the matching color.
Crate
Crates can hide surprises, including bombs.
Moving Blocks
Moving blocks travel freely but cannot be cleared unless they are fixed by a lock, rope or screw.
Colorful Door
A colorful door only lets one specific color through, then reveals the next color it will accept.
Locked Door
A locked door is bound to a specific color. Sending the key block through the matching color gate unlocks it.
Advanced mechanics
Later levels combine the basics with obstacles that change the board while you play. Each one rewards a different timing habit.
Size-Changing Door
The door grows wider or narrower as blocks are cleared, changing how much can pass through.
Combined Locked Blocks
Two blocks are linked together. Sending other blocks through gates is what finally breaks the link.
Hidden Blocks
Hidden blocks stay invisible until one specific visible block is cleared.
Dynamite
Dynamite shows a move countdown. If the count runs out it explodes and the level is lost.
Curtain
The curtain opens and closes as blocks pass through gates. While it is closed, curtain blocks cannot exit but can still be moved.
Moveable Crate
A crate marked with a number. Every block that passes a gate lowers the count by one, and at zero the crate disappears.
Color-Switcher
A gate that switches between two colors every time a block passes through it.
Time Capsule
Marked with bonus seconds. Sending it through the matching color gate adds that time to the clock.
Color-Switching Block
A two-color block. The gate you send it through decides which color it counts as.
Jumping Single Door
A single door that jumps to a new spot along the gates after every block that passes.
Flower Crate
A crate that moves freely. Clearing the glowing petals connected to it unlocks what is inside.
Color Swapping Blocks
Sending this block through a gate swaps the colors of every block on the board.
Barrier
A barrier that opens and closes after each block you clear.
Colorful Jumping Door
After every clear this door jumps to a new position and changes color.
Colorful Crate
The crate disappears once every block of its color has left the board.
Colorful Moving Path
A slider whose path shifts, rearranging how the board connects.
Button Doors
Doors that only open when a block of the right color sits on the button.
Turn Based Arrow
Starts locked to its arrow direction. Clearing the counted number of blocks frees it to move both ways.
Ivy
Ivy occupies cells and blocks the way. Every block that passes shrinks it by one cell.
Elevator
Holds a stack of blocks underneath. Move the top one away and the elevator pushes up the next.
Laser Door
The door only opens while the laser beam reaches its receiver. Blocking the beam closes it.
Magnet Block
When two blocks of the same color line up with it, the magnet snaps them together.
Board not matching a video? The same level number can change after a game update. Read why levels look different between versions before you retry.
Why levels differ