Cup Sort Puzzle 3D is a three-dimensional sorting game with a beverage theme. Although the title refers to cups, gameplay starts with cans. The player sorts drink cans into boxes. When they complete this task on each level, they unveil a collectible motor vehicle or city building sticker that the game transfers to a sticker book.
This game is similar to hardware and thread sorting games. Yet, it features one huge difference. The player doesn't need to select each can to prompt the game to transfer it to a matching box. The cans drop toward the center of the screen in chutes. When the player selects adjacent matching ones, all the needed cans auto-transfer to a color- and logo-matched box. That said, if the player selects a section of non-matching cans, a single can transfers to one of six empty trays below the chutes.
If the player runs out of trays, they lose the level. If they're willing to view an advertisement, they can unlock two more trays at any time to prevent a loss. They can also use an ad view to continue playing after they make a critical mistake. They can unlock two extra boxes using this method as well. Additionally, the game gives them three boosters along the bottom of the screen to help them correct mistakes and play without disruption.
Cup Sort Puzzle 3D doesn't allow the player to select cans blocked on all sides inside a chute. The player can only select from the bottom, which the game refers to as the front.