Hype Nurikabe
Nurikabe, the classic 'islands in the stream' logic puzzle. Shade the sea around numbered islands so every island is exactly its size, no two islands touch, the sea is one connected body, and no 2x2 block is all water. No luck, no timer — pure deduction, and the free Hint is always correct.
Nurikabe: how to play, rules & tips
Play Nurikabe free online, the classic islands-in-the-stream puzzle. Shade the sea around numbered islands using pure deduction, with no luck and no timer.
How to play Nurikabe
Each number sits on an island and tells you how many squares that island covers. Every other square is either more island (land) or sea (water).
Tap an empty square once to make it water, again to make it land, and again to clear it. Numbered squares are always land.
The board is solved when every island has exactly its number of squares and holds one number, no two islands touch side to side, all the water connects into one sea, and no 2x2 block is all water.
Nurikabe puzzles and rules
There are 10 puzzles: four easy 5x5 grids, three medium 6x6 grids and three hard 7x7 grids.
Every board was checked by a solver to have exactly one solution, so you never have to guess. The free Hint is always correct, and Clear wipes the board if you want a fresh start.
Nurikabe tips
- An island of 1 is already done. Make every square around it water.
- A square between two numbers that touches both must be water, or the two islands would join.
- Any square no island can reach with its remaining size is water.
- Look for 2x2 blocks of water forming. At least one square in every 2x2 block has to be land.
- The sea must stay in one piece. If a patch of water is about to be cut off, the squares that connect it must stay water.
- When an island is complete, surround it with water right away.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nurikabe free?
Yes. HypeGameRoom is free: no sign-up, no download and nothing to buy to play. Arcade games reward Neons, a play-only currency that can never be cashed out.
Can islands touch diagonally?
Yes. Islands may not touch side to side, but corner contact is allowed.
Why is a 2x2 block of water not allowed?
It is a core Nurikabe rule. It keeps the sea thin and is often the key clue that forces a square to be land.
Is there a hint?
Yes. Hint is free and always correct.