Line 98 (also called Lines 98 or Color Lines) is the classic ball-matching puzzle, free to play online right here — no download, no sign-up. The board is the original 9x9 grid with seven ball colors. Select a ball, then tap a reachable empty cell — only up/down/left/right paths count, no diagonal shortcuts — to move it there. Line up five or more same-color balls in a row, column, or diagonal and they clear and score; miss, and three more balls drop onto the cells shown in the preview. Made a bad move? Undo it. Stuck? You get three hints per game. There's no level ladder, just one endless run on desktop or mobile, chasing a new high score for as long as the board stays open.
How to play Line 98
- Tap a ball to select it, then tap an empty cell to move it there — the move only works if there's a clear path of empty cells connecting them, using up/down/left/right steps (no diagonal shortcuts).
- Selecting a different ball changes your selection; tapping the same ball again cancels it.
- Line up five or more balls of the same color in a row, column, or diagonal to clear them and score — the longer the line, the more points.
- Clear a line and the board stays exactly as it was for your next move. Miss, and three new balls appear in the previewed cells shown as small dots.
- The run ends once the board fills up completely with no empty cell left for new balls to land — chase a new high score and play again immediately.
Tips
- Keep the center of the board open as long as you can — a clogged middle cuts off paths and makes future moves much harder to route.
- Watch the small preview dots before you move — they show exactly which cells and colors are about to spawn, so plan around them instead of being surprised.
- Building two lines that cross through the same ball clears both at once for a big combo bonus — look for intersections, not just straight rows.
- Avoid boxing off small pockets of empty cells with balls of different colors; an isolated pocket you can't route through is wasted space.
FAQ
Is Line 98 free to play online?
Yes. Line 98 is completely free to play online with no download, no account, and no in-game purchases.
How do you play Line 98?
Select a ball, then tap an empty cell it can reach through open cells to move it there. Line up five or more same-color balls in a row, column, or diagonal to clear them and score.
Is Line 98 the same as Color Lines or Lines 98?
Yes — Line 98, Lines 98, and Color Lines are all names for the same classic ball-matching puzzle; the rules here follow the original faithfully: a 9x9 board, seven colors, three new balls after every move that clears nothing.
Where does Line 98 come from?
The game began as Color Lines, released for DOS in 1992 by the Russian studio Gamos. A late-1990s Windows version called Lines 98 spread across home and office PCs, and "Line 98" stuck as its name in many countries. This version is an independent remake, not affiliated with the original developers.
How is Line 98 scored?
A line of five scores 100 points, six scores 150 and seven scores 200 — every ball past the fifth is worth more. Clear two lines with one move and the total is multiplied by 1.5. Your best score is saved in your browser.
Can I undo a move in Line 98?
Yes. The Undo button takes back your last move, including any balls that spawned after it. There is also a Hint button, usable three times per game, that highlights a move which completes a line right away when one exists.
Does Line 98 work on mobile?
Yes, every ball and cell responds to touch as well as mouse clicks, so it plays the same on phones, tablets, and desktop.
Does Line 98 have levels?
No — Line 98 is one continuous endless run rather than a level ladder. Play stays open until the board fills up, and you can start a new run immediately to chase a higher score.