Abstract: Video game systems and methods provide one or more software-based skill adjustment mechanisms for video game systems to adjust a difficulty level of the video games based on an existing skill level or game play of a player. The difficulty level of the video games is adjustable to correspond to an existing skill level of the player for removing digital blocks from a digital matrix, clearing digital complete horizontal lines from the digital matrix and/or avoiding game ending conditions. The difficulty level of the video game may be adjusted to facilitate skill-building game play for the player. The difficulty level of the video games is adjustable during game play that is approaching or leading to a game ending condition via software for one or more primary and/or secondary skill adjustment mechanisms.