<![CDATA[Mathematics education at the junior high school (SMP) level continues to face challenges regarding students' lack of interest, motivation, and active participation, often stemming from the perception that mathematics is abstract and unengaging. This situation has prompted the adoption of gamification an innovative approach integrating game elements into learning activities to boost motivation, engagement, and the quality of student learning, aligning with technological advancements and the characteristics of the digital generation. This study aims to systematically review trends in the application of gamification in junior high school mathematics education, covering research developments, the impact of gamification, and implementation challenges. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology was employed, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Literature Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Literature searches were conducted via Google Scholar using the "Publish or Perish" application, focusing on articles published between 2018 and 2025; twenty-one articles met the inclusion and eligibility criteria. The results indicate that research on gamification in junior high school mathematics education has continued to evolve between 2018 and 2025, despite fluctuations in publication volume. Gamification positively influences students' cognitive and affective domains, leading to improvements in motivation, learning engagement, conceptual understanding, mathematical reasoning, and learning outcomes. However, implementation challenges persist, particularly regarding teacher readiness, structured instructional design, and limited technological infrastructure. Therefore, strengthening teacher competence, developing contextually relevant gamification designs, and securing policy support are essential for the effective and sustainable implementation of gamification in junior high school mathematics education.]]>
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