A system and method for implementing a gaming machine with connected tiles is presented. In an embodiment, a wager is received. A game with a playfield having a tile base and a plurality of tile locations is executed. The tile locations of the playfield are populated with tiles having (i) differing subsets of symbols thereon and (ii) a connection path to the tile base. Some initially-hidden symbols are presented, and a selection of one of them is received and revealed. Any tiles in the playfield having a symbol matching the selected symbol are removed, along with any remaining tiles that no longer have a connection path to the tile base. These selection and removal steps are repeated according to a game methodology. The playfield is evaluated for an outcome. An award is presented in the event that the outcome in the game merits an award according to the game methodology.