Video Game of the Week – Picross 3D

Video game puzzle enthusiasts will be familiar with the original Picross DS, which was released in 2007 and remains a favorite in many a Nintendo DS player's collection.

Whereas Picross DS presented a rectangular grid of squares, which had to be filled in to create a picture, the newly-released Picross3D uses a rectangular prism made up of small cubes. Instead of filling them in, the player must chip them away to reveal the hidden 3D object that is the goal of each puzzle.

If you think that sounds straightforward, think again. Picross 3D is a cross between Sudoku, Minesweeper and a host of other mind-bending puzzle games that will leave you unable to put the DS stylus down!

Because every cube is the same color, the only way to determine which ones to keep and which ones to destroy is to analyze the numbers found on certain blocks. Each number has a meaning and provides a clue as to the value of that block and the other blocks around it. You then use logic to decide which blocks to remove.

Blocks that you want to keep can be marked, while unwanted blocks can be smashed by tapping the stylus. You are allowed 5 mistakes before you have to restart the puzzle, and every now and then Picross 3D will throw a time limit on your deliberations just to make things a little more interesting.

Once the 3D image is unveiled, it is placed into a background, which becomes a kind of trophy case for completed puzzles. Players can also earn stars, which can be used to unlock bonus puzzles.

There are over 350 individual puzzles in Picross 3D and, if that's not enough, the game allows you to create your own puzzles with an easy-to-use editor. You can even go online and share your creations or download other people's.

If you love puzzles, Picross 3D is a wonderfully challenging and rewarding game that will keep you coming back for more.       

Picross 3D is rated "E" for Everyone by the ESRB. Check out their video game  ratings and content descriptors at ESRB.org  

Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Genre:     Logic, Puzzles
RRP: $19.99
ESRB Rating: "E" for Everyone