Picross DS-General Discussion [Mobile/Archive]

hootie

03-06-2007, 11:33 PM

http://www.zombieculture.com/img/upcoming/picrossds.jpg
http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/791/791668/picross-ds-20070524030114606.jpg (http://media.ds.ign.com/media/876/876330/image_frame.html?image_id=9&screenshot_id=4573826) http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/803/803728/picross-ds-20070711051740057.jpg (http://media.ds.ign.com/media/876/876330/image_frame.html?image_id=4&screenshot_id=4702735) http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/803/803728/picross-ds-20070711051741197.jpg (http://media.ds.ign.com/media/876/876330/image_frame.html?image_id=6&screenshot_id=4573823) http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/791/791668/picross-ds-20070524030115872.jpg

Game Info:
Published by: Nintendo
Developed by: Jupiter
Genre: Puzzle
Number of Players: 1-5
Release Date:
US: July 30, 2007
Japan: January 25, 2007
Europe: May 11, 2007
MSRP: $19.99
Recommended Requirements:
Rumble Pak support (sold separate)
Features: Online via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Multi-card Multiplayer, Single-card Multiplayer, DS Card Save, Downloadable Content, Vibration

I guess this is now the official Picross DS topic, so any questions, hints, tips, FCs, etc can go here.

dayglo

03-07-2007, 05:20 AM

I really enjoy it so far, and for the most part, you really don't need to understand Japanese to navigate the menus. There's maybe, 150 normal difficulty puzzles, plus another 100 or so easy, and (I assume, I haven't unlocked them all yet) somewhere around another 150 difficult (free-mode) puzzles. Nintendo has also put some Picross collections online that you can download onto your DS, although I don't have access to wireless right now, so I can't check.

I was afraid that there wouldn't be enough puzzles, but it hasn't been an issue. It's easily worth the $40.

hootie

03-07-2007, 03:25 PM

Thanks for the info, although I don't know if I should thank you or hate you for your help, considering I'm probably gonna get this game now :-(

Also, I just checked and this does have a lot of WiFi options! According to some people at GameFAQs, you can actually create your own puzzles and trade them online. And I think you can also battle people online. So awesome...

Noodle Pirate!

03-07-2007, 03:32 PM

mario picross was my favorite gb game ever. I dont know why it took them so long to make more since they seem to be easy to make and incredibly fun. I hope this gets ported over cause, as much fun as picross is, 40 is a bit steep for essentially a simple puzzle game.

hootie

03-09-2007, 12:05 AM

Well, it actually isn't TOO bad, considering DS games cost more in Japan than in the US.

Anybody else have this game?

dyreschlock

03-11-2007, 12:58 AM

Anybody else have this game?

Yeah, i picked it up and love it quite a lot. I went through and finished all the easy and normal puzzles, and about half of the 'free' puzzles.

Each 'level' has 15 puzzles. Easy only has one level, where are all the puzzles are 5 x 5.

Normal has 10 levels, with a bonus after completing all puzzles. You start off with the beginning 4 and when you complete more and more puzzles, you unlock more levels. Level 1 begins with puzzles 10 x 10, and it goes up to 20 x 25.

Easy and Normal puzzles will tack on a time penalty when you guess incorrectly, but 'Free' puzzles will not penalize you for wrong guessing, which makes things kinda tough. Free puzzles start at 10 x 10, and at Level 7 are 20 x 20. I think there are 8 levels overall in Free, and probably a bonus too.

When beginning any puzzle, you can choose to get a hint which'll give you a roulette choice of the answer to a single row and column. I made it pretty far without using this option, but eventually succumbed to the ease.

In Free mode, you have the option of hypothetical solving... where you can make some progress on a puzzle, turn on this option, and all progress after that point can either be saved or discarded. Figuring out which option is 'to save' or 'to discard' is key to using this feature.

There's also 'daily' picross where you can do a spree of 5 short puzzles and it'll record your time and track your daily progress.

I haven't really done any online play with this game... i probably should.

One other weird thing, is that Picross DS uses the rumble pak.. Just to enhance the sound of filling in a square on the board. It's actually useless and you're better off without it, since it wastes battery power.

At this point, i've stopped playing it. The 'normal' puzzles were fun because there was a right and wrong answer, which lead you to the completion of a puzzle within about 10 minutes..

Free puzzles are rather annoying because you don't know if what you are doing is correct, and they take alot longer, especially when you get to 20 x 20 stages. I got somewhat frustrated with spending 20 minutes on a puzzle and having to start over because something was just a little bit off

Overall, i had a great time playing Picross DS. If i was released in the states at the a $20 'brain training' price tag, i would absolutely recommend it. I think $40 is a bit high, but certainly not unreasonable for the right person ^_^

Anywho.... You don't REALLY need to know japanese to navigate through the game, but a translation of the menus and options would certainly help you out.

Do you have a understanding of Japanese or at least enough to figure out how to play import games?

hootie

03-11-2007, 12:50 PM

Thanks for all of the info, I appreciate it!

I don't understand any japanese, but some guy translated the menus over at GameFAQs, so I'll be all set.

Also, I see you are 'done' playing it, is there any chance you'd let go of it? I'd be willing to buy it off of ya :)

dyreschlock

03-11-2007, 07:37 PM

Also, I see you are 'done' playing it, is there any chance you'd let go of it? I'd be willing to buy it off of ya :)

Nah, sorry. I'm one of those crazy people that keeps their games and never sells them unless they are really really bad. Besides, I thought you already ordered it?

If you want, i'm going over to Japan next week.. I could probably pick you up a copy, since it probably actually sells for $35 in japan.

hootie

03-11-2007, 08:16 PM

I haven't ordered it yet, but I think if I do buy it, I'll just get it at PA :)

That is, unless you want anything from my list?

dyreschlock

03-11-2007, 09:49 PM

sorry, nothing really pops out at me.

i'll keep you updated on the price though. I might find a copy for $25.. who knows.

hootie

03-11-2007, 10:02 PM

Well, if you can find a copy for $30 or less, let me know.

PleasantOne

03-12-2007, 02:21 AM

I caved last night and ordered it at PA :P Does anyone know about the download features of the game? I saw someone mention something about Nintendo making available a puzzle pack that had the puzzles from the original Mario Picross O.o

dyreschlock

03-12-2007, 02:21 PM

you can download NEW puzzles?! O_o .. i should look into that.

The extra stage after you defeat normal is all Nintendo Sprite puzzles.

hootie

03-12-2007, 03:36 PM

you can download NEW puzzles?! O_o .. i should look into that.

Yep, I heard they release "NP" packs every week, containing classic picross puzzles.

That just makes me want to get it even more :cry:

PleasantOne

03-14-2007, 12:10 AM

The extra stage after you defeat normal is all Nintendo Sprite puzzles.

O.o :drool: yay!

hootie

03-14-2007, 03:29 PM

I'll never understand why Japan gets games like Picross DS, Jump Ultimate Stars, Chousoujuu Mecha MG, and we get crap like Hannah fuck ing Montana and other useless, crappy games.

PleasantOne

03-15-2007, 03:51 PM

I'll never understand why Japan gets games like Picross DS, Jump Ultimate Stars, Chousoujuu Mecha MG, and we get crap like Hannah fuck ing Montana and other useless, crappy games.

I wonder who the video game market in Japan is geared towards... are portables targeted at kids there, like they are here? If so, I guess their kids just have much better taste than the ones here :rofl: When did all this happen, anyway? I feel like a little old lady... "In my day, we had Mario, and Zelda... none of this Disney riffraff you whippersnappers play today! :shame: "

I wonder how much it costs Nintendo (or whatever publisher) to bring a Japanese game to the states, anyway. It seems like changing the language couldn't be all that expensive, and you'd think there would be enough of an interest in just about any game for them to turn a profit for doing so... but then I'm probably wrong about the cost.

I'm going to have to check out Jump... I'm unfamiliar with the anime it centers around, but everyone here is always mentioning how great it is...

Noodle Pirate!

07-26-2007, 02:02 AM

Don't mean to bump an old thread, but since the game is coming out over here in the next few weeks, I thought I'd throw out a Q for those who have finished every Normal mode puzzle on it.
I have the EU english version, so that might be a bit different then the JP one. Do you unlock anything extra if you complete all the easy/normal puzzles and bonus " !" game puzzles?

I have completed every puzzle under normal, and easy of course, but have the few remaining "copy the puzzle before the time runs out puzzles left".

They are driving me nuts. If they dont unlock anything special, I'm just going to leave them unfinished. I'd like to erase the data and go for a second run through, but not if I'm close to unlocking some extra puzzles.

Also, has anyone created some original pics to trade? I have made one that came out quite nicely, but it would be cool to get some good homemade ones that arent downloadable off the website.

hootie

07-26-2007, 03:49 AM

Noodle Pirate!

07-26-2007, 10:15 PM

I also have the EU copy, but I haven't completed all of the Normal puzzles yet, I think I'm only on the 6th set (the flowers).

IIRC, I don't think you need to complete those little side puzzles to unlock anything, but I'm not completely sure. But yes, I also really, really hate them.

A couple of people at GameFAQs gave me some of their puzzles and they were actually really good, just check over there and ask around for some FCs.

Thanks Hootie, I might venture over there and see if I can exchange puzzles. Although I haven't set foot in a gamefaqs message board in years. They scare me.
I would imagine though, that a "sophisticated" puzzle like picross wont have too many delinquents playing it, - my fear may not be justified in this case.;)

I just cant get enough picross lately. I even went so far as to dig up my NGPC picross game. I just need a new battery for my system though. :( Picross and portables are like choco and peanut butter. It's just not the same playing it on a pc or puzzle book.

ArthurDigbySellers

07-30-2007, 10:52 AM

Thanks Hootie, I might venture over there and see if I can exchange puzzles. Although I haven't set foot in a gamefaqs message board in years. They scare me.
I would imagine though, that a "sophisticated" puzzle like picross wont have too many delinquents playing it, - my fear may not be justified in this case.;)

I just cant get enough picross lately. I even went so far as to dig up my NGPC picross game. I just need a new battery for my system though. :( Picross and portables are like choco and peanut butter. It's just not the same playing it on a pc or puzzle book.

Bumping this from the dead since some of you have already played it. Does Picross DS have multiple save slots kind of like Brain Age or is it just designed for one person?

I want to get this for my wife and me but if it only has one save slot, that would kind of suck.

spiwak

07-30-2007, 11:23 AM

Dr Mario Kart

07-30-2007, 11:24 AM

wait what? I thought this wasnt out yet?

ArthurDigbySellers

07-30-2007, 11:52 AM

wait what? I thought this wasnt out yet?

Some CAGs imported it from Japan or the UK. It should be in stores tomorrow. I still haven't gotten an answer to my question though :cry:

hootie

07-30-2007, 12:48 PM

Even though the UK version has english and all, I would actually probably rather get the Japanese version, just because they are getting so much more classic packs availible to download on WiFi.

dyreschlock

07-30-2007, 07:01 PM

Bumping this from the dead since some of you have already played it. Does Picross DS have multiple save slots kind of like Brain Age or is it just designed for one person?

I want to get this for my wife and me but if it only has one save slot, that would kind of suck.
there are no multiple profiles to choose which data is saved where. at least not in the Japanese version.

Noodle Pirate!

07-30-2007, 07:15 PM

The U.K. version also is just the one save. If you finish a puzzle it shows up as completed everytime you play the game. It doesn't even give you the option of choosing a save slot.
The only save related thing in the game is that you can choose to save your spot in a puzzle and start it up the next time you play, but you can only save one half finished puzzle at a time, any new save will erase the last half finished puzzle.
I hope that helps Lebowsky.
You can also redo puzzles tha tyou have completed to improve your time. The UK version has a 1 hour time limit on puzzles. If you cant finish it in 1 hour then it doesnt count. I know an hour sounds like a long time, but on certain modes, everytime you you color a box that wasn't suppose to be colored, it will add a bit of time to your total.

Noodle Pirate!

07-30-2007, 07:19 PM

It's currently my go-to puzzle game. On the second stage of Normal mode.

These 15 x 15 levels are rather annoying. I can't stand the touch controls on them, but thankfully the button controls work a little easier. I mean, c'mon, it's already annoying enough having to press a button in the corner to switch from Draw to X, but then forcing a third button in the corner just to scroll the puzzle in zoom mode, which is of course the only way to draw or X. Would have been a lot easier if the D-pad scrolled in touch mode. Also, I don't see why we can't play zoomed-out while in button mode.

But whatever, minor complaints for an awesome puzzler.

The zoom in and out thing was driving me mad. I finally decided to play it zoomed out the entire time using only the 2 buttons on the control pad to tick or untick boxes. It was a bit wierd at first, but now I cant imagine playing it with the stylus ever again. Its so much easier and faster then using the stylus.
Sure it looks small, but you quickly get over that. It is so much easier to see the whole picture at once, then trying to zoom in and out and manage the whole puzzle.

A button colors the box. B button checks the box

hootie

07-30-2007, 07:30 PM

Damn, one of those flower puzzles is giving me one hell of a time trying to stay under the hour time limit...the placement of the flower makes it very hard to get it.

radjago

07-30-2007, 10:44 PM

I got a copy tonight. Walmart threw the dozen or so copies they got straight in the bargain bin.

Friend Code 004401 591670

hootie

07-30-2007, 10:47 PM

Well even though I already have my FC in my sig, I'll put it here just in case:

3608-7737-6201

utopianmachine

07-31-2007, 03:42 AM

A button colors the box. B button checks the box

I'm with you there. I hadn't gotten to the 15 x 15 puzzles when I downloaded my first puzzle pak of the original Mario's Picross puzzles. I was dismayed to see this crazy zoomy feature. Far, far too frustrating. The way you're playing it, Noodle Pirate, is the way it was originally done on Mario's Picross, if I'm not mistaken. Entirely the same way I intend to play it, once I get to that point again.

Not sure if Nintendo is going to rip every one of Mario's Picross' puzzles and put them up for download, but if folks can find a cheap copy of Mario's Picross and still have their SP collecting dust, this is a great Picross compilation. A little uninspiring, but hey, it's Picross. Like Sudoku, it doesn't need much.

pete5883

07-31-2007, 09:01 AM

Almost forgot this was today, I'm excited. What are friend codes for in this? Just trading puzzles?

ArthurDigbySellers

07-31-2007, 10:28 AM

spiwak

07-31-2007, 10:48 AM

The zoom in and out thing was driving me mad. I finally decided to play it zoomed out the entire time using only the 2 buttons on the control pad to tick or untick boxes. It was a bit wierd at first, but now I cant imagine playing it with the stylus ever again. Its so much easier and faster then using the stylus.
Sure it looks small, but you quickly get over that. It is so much easier to see the whole picture at once, then trying to zoom in and out and manage the whole puzzle.

A button colors the box. B button checks the box
I never realized that I could check boxes while zoomed out in button mode. That's a great help! It's a shame, but I guess I'll be forgetting about touch controls, that's for sure.

Tybee

07-31-2007, 01:22 PM

Thanks for the info. That really sucks because both my wife and I will be playing this game. I'm sure as hell not going to buy 2 copies of it though.

Yeah, I too am bummed about this, because I can see my wife really enjoying it. Can't remember if I ever let her play Mario's Picross or not, but it's right up her alley.

Oh well. Guess we'll just trade off puzzles.

radjago

07-31-2007, 05:51 PM

Almost forgot this was today, I'm excited. What are friend codes for in this? Just trading puzzles?
Trading puzzles and competitive online play.

Noodle Pirate!

07-31-2007, 08:19 PM

You guys could always asign a certain puzzle section to each person. Theres free mode for people who are already versed in the picross religion, and normal mode where its not quite as free thinking. You are told when you make an error etc.
That way you each can have a set of puzzles and then erase the save at the end when you both compelte your sections and then start over and trade modes. :)

Mr. Beef

07-31-2007, 08:36 PM

This sounds like fun. Mario's Picross was a favorite back in the day, so I may just go ahead and swoop on this.

hootie

07-31-2007, 08:40 PM

Oh man, I can't even imagine how bad 20x20 Free mode is, I'm still working on Normal Mode section 5 I think....

johnnypark

07-31-2007, 11:43 PM

I got this today, because I had a 3 hour wait outside of a concert, and I'm glad I got it. Easy to grasp, but it becomes challenging very quickly!

I too am bummed about the lack of user profiles. This has been the case with most DS games, though, which is very unfortunate (Etrian Odyssey, Sim City DS, Dragon Quest Rocket Slime...), especially since it seems like they could easily add that feature.

But, it's only $20, so I can't complain too much!

pete5883

08-01-2007, 12:32 AM

laaj

08-01-2007, 01:53 AM

Quick question: What happens when you solve all the puzzles in this game? Unlike Tetris and Puyo Pop there's no replay value in games like this.

hootie

08-01-2007, 02:07 AM

Unlike Tetris and Puyo Pop there's no replay value in games like this.

Are you kidding me? They have new downloadable puzzles frequently, you can download puzzles from friends, you can battle people on WiFi, and you can make your own puzzles.

laaj

08-01-2007, 02:20 AM

Are you kidding me? They have new downloadable puzzles frequently, you can download puzzles from friends, you can battle people on WiFi, and you can make your own puzzles.

Nintendo and frequently in the same sentence? So you can only get new puzzles from people you have friend codes with or total strangers? Either way it sounds good in theory but most user generated puzzles won't be good enough. Check out wiipicross.com's user created puzzles for proof.

hootie

08-01-2007, 02:25 AM

All of the users who I've downloaded puzzles from on GameFAQs have phenomonal puzzles, they are challenging, and very, very well made.

Noodle Pirate!

08-01-2007, 02:45 PM

If anyone wants to add me, My friend code is:

274978 922386

I have one homemade puzzle that took me too long to make and it would be great if someone else found it enjoyable to play: )
It's "river city ransom" related ;P
I found that the 8 bit game sprites were the easiest to make pics out of.

If i can find time, I'm gonna head over to GF and try to snag some of the puzzles from there since Hootie said they were good

I added Radjago and Hootie to my FC. Hope you guys dont mind :) I'm running low on puzzzles and feeling the desperation set in.

johnnypark

08-01-2007, 02:55 PM

Maybe you can answer this, Hootie - how many puzzles can you keep downloaded from other users at once? I really hope it's more than 1 or 2, since I'm sure there'll be favorites I'd want to share with other people. That, and it'd be nice to have an archive of user-made content way down the line when people don't go online w/ it anymore.

hootie

08-01-2007, 03:41 PM

blandstalker

08-01-2007, 07:07 PM

I preordered from Amazon a month ago. It didn't arrive today (always a chance with 2-day shipping), so I checked on it. Estimated arrival is now the 8th. WTF?

pete5883

08-01-2007, 08:38 PM

Amazon is slow with game preorders.

briandadude

08-01-2007, 09:00 PM

I preordered from Amazon a month ago. It didn't arrive today (always a chance with 2-day shipping), so I checked on it. Estimated arrival is now the 8th. WTF?

Ordered mine from Amazon as well and hasn't shipped yet.

DirtRoadSport

08-02-2007, 12:02 AM

A shame you can't switch from button to stylus without going into the menu. Online multi was quite a surprise for me - half my wins are from premature disconnections, and boy did I get my monkey ass whooped for my losses. I got beaten by a "Master" in 35 seconds!

I've won only twice - once from a disconnection, and once from the only person online worse than me.

How does anybody solve 2 of these puzzles in 35-55 seconds is beyond me. Is there some way to cheat I don't know about?

hootie

08-02-2007, 01:52 AM

I've won only twice - once from a disconnection, and once from the only person online worse than me.

How does anybody solve 2 of these puzzles in 35-55 seconds is beyond me. Is there some way to cheat I don't know about?

I'm guessing that the people who've played thousands of matches online start to remember each of the puzzles, so they will already know what the picture looks like and where to fill the spaces.

pete5883

08-02-2007, 09:04 AM

Unfortunately getting a space wrong only seems to dock you 5 seconds. This is probably ripe for abuse. But I assume the Master that beat me probably had all the puzzles memorized. Because that was a harder one.

BREVITY

08-02-2007, 08:50 PM

This game is really fun. I am liking this so far.

RollingSkull

08-02-2007, 11:09 PM

Picross is love.

Kyattsuai

08-02-2007, 11:34 PM

I never really understood how picross was suitable for multiplayer... Single player's pretty fun, though. The animations for the finished puzzles are awesome.

hootie

08-03-2007, 12:01 AM

Changed the title of the thread and added box art, screenshots, and general info (info taken from NeoGAF)

utopianmachine

08-03-2007, 12:58 AM

I was looking for more Picross content lately. Is the only U.S. released Picross game besides this Mario's Picross for the Gameboy?

hootie

08-03-2007, 01:04 AM

I was looking for more Picross content lately. Is the only U.S. released Picross game besides this Mario's Picross for the Gameboy?

If I remember correctly, and if Wikipedia is right, then yes, it is; and oh, what a sweet, sweet game it is.

utopianmachine

08-03-2007, 01:20 AM

If I remember correctly, and if Wikipedia is right, then yes, it is; and oh, what a sweet, sweet game it is.

Yeah, it's a really solid Picross compilation, although I feel sorry for anyone back when picking up the game looking for any real Mario action.

hootie

08-03-2007, 01:24 AM

Bah, there are enough Mario games out for everyone, one less won't hurt anybody. :)

modium

08-03-2007, 02:33 AM

I got this game tonight and I love it.

Callandor

08-03-2007, 02:47 AM

Addictive. Absolutely addictive.

johnnypark

08-03-2007, 03:02 AM

Anyone on the fence about getting this, here are some reviews:

IGN gave it a 9.0 and Game of the Month -
http://ds.ign.com/articles/809/809486p1.html

And a decent 8.0 from Gamespot -
http://www.gamespot.com/ds/puzzle/picrossds/review.html

Only big complaint seems to be the zoom function, which I sympathize with but I feel like it was handled well enough.

RollingSkull

08-03-2007, 03:03 AM

Petition to change the topic to "Picross DS is love"

hootie

08-03-2007, 03:17 AM

Petition to change the topic to "Picross DS is love"

Heh, I think "General Discussion" is fine. ;)

mrchainsaw

08-03-2007, 10:24 AM

I was looking for more Picross content lately. Is the only U.S. released Picross game besides this Mario's Picross for the Gameboy?
I googled "nonograms" the other day and I got some sites with puzzles. I didn't try any out to see how good they were, though.

wubb

08-03-2007, 11:02 AM

Pretty sure I'll be getting this one. Looks like it might be right up my alley.

Do downloaded maps save after powering down the DS or are they lost?

hootie

08-03-2007, 11:41 AM

Do downloaded maps save after powering down the DS or are they lost?

All of the puzzles you download from WiFi are saved until you delete them.

wubb

08-03-2007, 12:03 PM

Wouldn't have changed my purchase decision, but that's awesome. Thanks for the info.

Is there a limit to the number you can save? (I'd guess there must be but hopefully it's very high. Wouldn't take many bytes to save a game board I don't think.)

Oh and can you have mulitple accounts for stat tracking and the daily play thing, etc. (I have to assume yes on that one.) Sorry for the questions that are probably already answered in this thread or found elsewhere, but I'm just so damn lazy. ;)

Tybee

08-03-2007, 12:09 PM

hootie

08-03-2007, 12:50 PM

Is there a limit to the number you can save? (I'd guess there must be but hopefully it's very high. Wouldn't take many bytes to save a game board I don't think.)

Oh and can you have mulitple accounts for stat tracking and the daily play thing, etc. (I have to assume yes on that one.) Sorry for the questions that are probably already answered in this thread or found elsewhere, but I'm just so damn lazy. ;)

I'm not positive on the limit, but I've had 20 at one time, and each page says 1/10, 2/10, so maybe you can fit 100.

As for multiple accounts, unfortunately you can only have 1 account in Picross, but since I'm the only one playing my copy, it's not a problem for me. :)

Noodle Pirate!

08-03-2007, 03:45 PM

I was looking for more Picross content lately. Is the only U.S. released Picross game besides this Mario's Picross for the Gameboy?

If you run out of handheld picross love, Neo Geo Pocket Color has a picross game as well called picture puzzle. I think they can be found cheap on ebay.
Its not as great as this version since it only goes up to like 15x15 (can't remember100%, I need a new battery to play mine) but its picross :P

I hope now that it has received good scores from the mags more people will buy it and we will get tonso f new picross games coming out. Similar to waht happened with the brain training games. Luckily its hard to screw picross up so any new puzzles will still be great to have.

hootie

08-03-2007, 04:16 PM

They should release a Phoenix Wright Picross Pack on WiFi....:drool:

Tybee

08-03-2007, 04:59 PM

They should release a Phoenix Wright Picross Pack on WiFi....:drool:

Hmmm...Phoenix's finger, Maya's bangs, and, most importantly, Mia's cleavage.

hootie

08-03-2007, 05:25 PM

Mia's cleavage.

:applause:

laaj

08-03-2007, 06:32 PM

Someone needs to straighten out the Shipwrecks, Wombat, and Cheapy about this game. None of them have played a picross game before, nor even seemed to know what they are. To her credit, Mrs. Ship did some research to kind of see how they're played, but they still seemed unaware of the sweet sweetness that is picross. I would think Cheapy would know about it since picross is much bigger in Japan than it is here.
Agreed. We need to gather them up and burn them for heresy. How dare they not like a game Tybee likes.

Edit>Call me a troll but after playing few picross games on the web convinced me to never buy this. :(

Noodle Pirate!

08-03-2007, 09:34 PM

Agreed. We need to gather them up and burn them for heresy. How dare they not like a game Tybee likes.

Edit>Call me a troll but after playing few picross games on the web convinced me to never buy this. :(

I'm sorry but I kind of felt the same way Tybee did. After reading the release notice in the shipwreck's article. I also got the feeling they haven't tried it or played picross before. It made the game sound like another boring overpriced generic puzzler,and if I had never played it before, certainly would not have picked it up based on the review they gave.

I can't tell if your being sarcastic to Tybee or not but it comes across as a bit rude. - Or was it a lighthearted joke?
He wasn't saying anything negative about them, just that their review seemed to suggest that they haven't played the game before; while at the same time rating it as another puzzler that is nothing special.

hootie

08-03-2007, 10:12 PM

All in favor of sending both Cheapy and Wombat a copy of Picross DS? I'd chip in about $5 if needed :).

Tybee

08-03-2007, 10:45 PM

All in favor of sending both Cheapy and Wombat a copy of Picross DS? I'd chip in about $5 if needed :).

I'll chip in $5 - $10 as well.

laaj

08-03-2007, 10:55 PM

I'm sorry but I kind of felt the same way Tybee did. After reading the release notice in the shipwreck's article. I also got the feeling they haven't tried it or played picross before. It made the game sound like another boring overpriced generic puzzler,and if I had never played it before, certainly would not have picked it up based on the review they gave.

I can't tell if your being sarcastic to Tybee or not but it comes across as a bit rude. - Or was it a lighthearted joke?
He wasn't saying anything negative about them, just that their review seemed to suggest that they haven't played the game before; while at the same time rating it as another puzzler that is nothing special.

Thx, I forgot sarcasm doesn't work over the interweb. What's wrong with rating it as just another puzzler? Just because you think the game is special they can't say they don't like or care for it?

Noodle Pirate!

08-04-2007, 01:22 AM

That wasn't really what we were trying to get across. You're more then allowed to dislike something if you have tried it and find it's not for you. Just like you tried picross and didn't like it. That's fine.

What we are trying to say is that it's a bit depressing to see a write up of a much beloved game from a someone who has based it off of just pictures alone and has not played it through enough to give it a chance.
You have to admit the remarks weren't a big motivator to go out and buy it.

We've been waiting a long time for another handheld picross game to come along. It needs all the good press it can get if we are to see another one.

I will admit the game looks boring on paper, so does sudoku. The fun is playing it. Or in your case, there is no fun. - But at least you tried it and discovered you dont like it, which is all we ask.

johnnypark

08-04-2007, 02:54 AM

For those of you who can't get enough Picross...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario%27s_Super_Picross

There was a SNES version in Japan. I know emulation is a shady subject around here, but it IS a 12 year old game never released in the US. I managed to play it some, and the menus are basically all in english, and if you've played any other Picross game (and most of you have, if you're reading this thread!!!) then it's no trouble at all.

In fact, it's a little more fun, b/c a lot of the puzzles are japanese characters, which I'm not familiar with at all, so for methere's no logic to the image I'm making. Happy hunting for it!

shipwreck

08-04-2007, 02:58 AM

Oh, we'll certainly be talking about Picross on the next episode of CAG Foreplay. I'm really enjoying it.

08-04-2007, 09:12 AM

Damn, I went to get this at Gamecrazy (where I have credit to burn and $20 is nothing) and they said they only got 2 copies and they were preorders. They said more might come in Friday and they'd save me one if so. I guess I better call Saturday and check. This sounds interesting. I'd like a reason to fire up my DS for the first time in months. Not that I don't have a huge backlog of DS games, but this sounds different enough to get me back into it.

blandstalker

08-04-2007, 02:50 PM

Amazon's ETA was 8/8 for my preorder, but there it was yesterday.

Disappointed with the stylus controls
, but very glad there's an alternate. Thoroughly enjoying it so far.

There was a Picross-type game for the Palm Pilot, which is where I first learned that Picross is like crack. It's a shame that years later, Nintendo delivers something that...isn't as good, interface wise.

radjago

08-04-2007, 08:21 PM

Drymouth was a homebrew picross game for GBC. Pretty good one too. Too bad they never got picked up by a publisher. It's available for download now.

http://demiforce.parodius.com/drymouth/

Also, you can try some free picross puzzles here.

http://www.wiipicross.com

http://www.thetimmys.com/flash/picross/

http://www.millstone.demon.co.uk/games/picross/start.htm

http://www.picross-time.net/

Noodle Pirate!

08-05-2007, 02:00 AM

Thanks for the drymouth link. I never knew about that game.
Picross is fun on the pc, but it can't beat playing it on a handheld on your comfy couch ;P

Tybee

08-05-2007, 03:29 AM

Drymouth was a homebrew picross game for GBC. Pretty good one too. Too bad they never got picked up by a publisher. It's available for download now.

http://demiforce.parodius.com/drymouth/

Wow....That brings back some memories. I actually interviewed the Demiforce guys in person at E3 back in 2000. We had lunch with them and they let us play Drymouth for about 30 mins or so. We previewed it on our site and had high hopes it would get a publisher. Guess it never happened.

Backlash

08-05-2007, 12:30 PM

I just picked this up as a surprise for me wife, who loves these. However, I'm either very disppointed in one aspect of it, or I just have the settings wrong.

Is it true that for the My Picross (i.e. downloaded) puzzles, you always see what the picture is before solving it? That seems incredibly stupid. If not, how do I hide the thumbnails so that just the name of the puzzle is shown? What's the point if you can see the answer before you solve it?

radjago

08-05-2007, 02:12 PM

It only shows the completed picture of the puzzles that you have made on your copy of the game. Any puzzles that you download either locally or over wifi have a question mark for the picture.

Backlash

08-05-2007, 02:36 PM

Ah, ok. Much better.

So what I was trying to do was to create a puzzle that says "I love you" or something like that as a surprise for my wife when I first give her the game (that's why I opened it). Obviously that's no good if she can see it before she solves the puzzle.

Maybe someone here can download the puzzle from me, and then I can delete it and then download it back so that it shows up as a question mark. Would that work, and is anyone willing to help me in this corny gesture?

Captain Freeze

08-05-2007, 03:18 PM

we need more great $19.99 DS games like this.

wubb

08-05-2007, 06:06 PM

I'm not positive on the limit, but I've had 20 at one time, and each page says 1/10, 2/10, so maybe you can fit 100.

As for multiple accounts, unfortunately you can only have 1 account in Picross, but since I'm the only one playing my copy, it's not a problem for me. :)

Picked it up and yeah it looks like 100 might be the limit for custom boards. Not bad.

The no multiple accounts thing is a major bummer. Had a few friends try it out this weekend and they had to sort of not look at the screen when choosing a puzzle to play since it shows the solved puzzles in thumbnail. I was really surprised they didn't have a system like brain age where it allows multiple accounts and then shows how your time stacks up to the other people and charts your daily Picross times against everyone, etc. Dumb. You basically have to buy a separate copy of the game for each serious player in the house. Ugh.

Other than that I love the game.

Are there puzzles available to download from Nintendo? I thought they review I read said the old GBA version's puzzles were up but when I hopped on it just said 'puzzles coming soon' or something like that.

pete5883

08-06-2007, 12:18 AM

I have a feeling it's going to say "coming soon" for a while now. American branches of Japanese companies are never as conscientious about posting stuff online as their Japanese counterparts.

wubb

08-06-2007, 09:23 AM

Oh well. Pretty infuriating when they obviously have them all set and ready to put up since they are available in Japan (and from some googling I'm pretty sure Europe has at least 2 packs available for download as well...)

This is one of the most addictive games I've played in a while. I find myself daydreaming about picross situations and rows of Xs. :lol:

Ah, ok. Much better.

So what I was trying to do was to create a puzzle that says "I love you" or something like that as a surprise for my wife when I first give her the game (that's why I opened it). Obviously that's no good if she can see it before she solves the puzzle.

Maybe someone here can download the puzzle from me, and then I can delete it and then download it back so that it shows up as a question mark. Would that work, and is anyone willing to help me in this corny gesture?

I'd help you out with that. Have any other puzzles you could put up as well? :) I have a few I've put up although they aren't anything great.

We need to get a friend code thread (or add FCs to this thread.) I'd love to download some CAG made puzzles.

Backlash

08-06-2007, 12:04 PM

I'd help you out with that. Have any other puzzles you could put up as well? :) I have a few I've put up although they aren't anything great.

We need to get a friend code thread (or add FCs to this thread.) I'd love to download some CAG made puzzles.

Thanks Wubb. I'll have to get my DS online (never connected before, but I have a wireless network at home so I don't think it should be a problem) and then I'll figure out my friend code and send it to you.

I don't have any other puzzles, just this one crappy, sappy one right now :)

ArthurDigbySellers

08-06-2007, 12:28 PM

Picked it up and yeah it looks like 100 might be the limit for custom boards. Not bad.

The no multiple accounts thing is a major bummer. Had a few friends try it out this weekend and they had to sort of not look at the screen when choosing a puzzle to play since it shows the solved puzzles in thumbnail. I was really surprised they didn't have a system like brain age where it allows multiple accounts and then shows how your time stacks up to the other people and charts your daily Picross times against everyone, etc. Dumb. You basically have to buy a separate copy of the game for each serious player in the house. Ugh.

Other than that I love the game.

Are there puzzles available to download from Nintendo? I thought they review I read said the old GBA version's puzzles were up but when I hopped on it just said 'puzzles coming soon' or something like that.

My only complaint is the same as yours - only having one save slot sucks. My wife is the primary player of the game (in the same way that she is the primary sudoku player in Brain Age) so I am stuck with puzzles where the thumbnail is already completed. I've just been trying not to look at the thumbnail when I start the puzzle but it is hard.

wubb

08-06-2007, 12:41 PM

Yep, and they didn't even make it an option to turn off the thumbnail previews of solved puzzles. I half think they purposefully did it that way to force multi-player households into buying multipe copies. :bomb:

Backlash, just gimme your FC and I'll add it. I'll have to look up mine here later. I think the way it works is that once both

1) I've added your code and connected to WFC
2) You've added my code and connected to WFC

Then I can download the puzzle. I'll d/l it, edit it (to change the name say) and then reupload it for you just in case dowloading the exact same puzzle from me doesn't reset the thumbnail.

Backlash

08-06-2007, 02:19 PM

Awesome thanks. I'll try to get the WFC thing figured out tonight or tomorrow at the latest.

wubb

08-06-2007, 07:54 PM

I made a couple Mario themed puzzles I'm somewhat proud of. (Didn't make them for difficulty but for the picture. Although one of them turned out pretty difficult I think.) Unfortunately one of them had to be 'corrected' to work so it's not quite how I'd want it.

Anyway my friend code is:

356589
486958

PM me or post your FC if you add me. I'd love to check out some other CAG made puzzles!

modium

08-07-2007, 02:51 AM

I find myself sneaking time to play this whenever I can, on break while at work, on the computer. It's one of those rare games that just consumes my thoughts. It's hard to explain, but it's like I'll find myself looking at two random objects and wondering if I could fit 2 or 4 tiles between them.

I tried to register a friend codes from gamefaqs to get some custom puzzles, but even though the people have said they put in my friend code, I still don't see any puzzles when I go to the Puzzle Exchange area. Is it something that's supposed to take a day or two, or something?

yukine

08-07-2007, 03:19 AM

Picked it up, my friend code is: 0344-6706-2983

If you would like to exchange codes, please PM me as I can't guarantee that I'll be paying attention to this thread.

And hootie, quit being lazy and compile all of our friend codes to the first post of the thread. :lol:

johnnypark

08-07-2007, 03:39 AM

My FC is 2792-7960-7545, add me!

Rocko

08-07-2007, 03:49 AM

This is cheap and everyone seems to love it, but I tried a demo of Picross online and I guess I'm too dull to play. I can do Sudoku no problem, but I just cannot seem to grasp this. I suck. :lol:

Noodle Pirate!

08-07-2007, 04:54 AM

I tried to register a friend codes from gamefaqs to get some custom puzzles, but even though the people have said they put in my friend code, I still don't see any puzzles when I go to the Puzzle Exchange area. Is it something that's supposed to take a day or two, or something?

The thing about that is I think both people have to be online at the same time to DL each other's puzzles. We should make a meet up time once or twice a week to have everyone turn on their wifi at the same time for 10 minutes to exchange puzzles.

I think I have added everyone on here that gave up a friend code so far. :bouncy: Feel free to do the same for me if you want. I only have the 1 homemade puzzle so far though.

Also, if the OP is updated with our FCs, It might also be useful to add the number or the name of the name of the homemade puzzles they have to DL next to their name so that we know who to check.

spiwak

08-07-2007, 10:26 AM

I just made my first puzzle last night. Was not aware you could go up 20 x 20. I think I'll redo the one in 20 x 20 and see how that looks.

EDIT: Looks so much better in a 20x square. I don't have any wi-fi at the moment but if/when I do I'll share it. It's a pretty easy puzzle.

halu102

08-07-2007, 10:53 AM

Can I get some quick opinions on this game? Is it addicting? and is this "the" puzzle game for the DS at the moment? Or are there other puzzle game choices that still overshadow this?

BREVITY

08-07-2007, 11:13 AM

Very addictive but for me not as much as Puzzle Quest.
I find myself constantly wanting to move the pieces verically.

halu102

08-07-2007, 11:16 AM

Very addictive but for me not as much as Puzzle Quest.
I find myself constantly wanting to move the pieces verically.
Oh, hmm, so does this play like another bejeweled or meteos? Maybe I should just look for puzzle quest, if they even have them available, that is.

edit: I'll try to play that homebrew in the meantime.

wubb

08-07-2007, 11:19 AM

Oh, hmm, so does this play like another bejeweled or meteos? Maybe I should just look for puzzle quest, if they even have them available, that is.

No it's not like Bejeweled or Meteos.

It's more similar to sudoku, but it's not quite the same.

Very addictive game. I was also addicted to PQ for a good while, but I finished that one a month ago now and just started on Picross a few days ago so it's hard to compare the level. One is fresh and one is used up for me.

My biggest complaint is that you can only have one user account so it's pretty tough for two serious players to share a single copy.

Did a google and this is the first site that came up with a playable version: http://www.thetimmys.com/flash/picross/

alison

08-07-2007, 11:51 AM

This is cheap and everyone seems to love it, but I tried a demo of Picross online and I guess I'm too dull to play. I can do Sudoku no problem, but I just cannot seem to grasp this. I suck. :lol:

That was the way it was for me when I tried to learn online - I found the tutorial/easier puzzles within Picross DS to be much easier to grasp.

wubb

08-08-2007, 09:15 AM

Hmm I wonder if online play is going to wear thin after a bit. I've played 30 or so bouts and I'm already starting to recognize repeated puzzles. I imagine the people I see who've played 1000+ games know some of them by heart just from the numbers on the side.

lordwow

08-08-2007, 09:40 AM

This game sounds pretty neat, I may pick it up when I can get a great deal on it.

daroga

08-08-2007, 10:19 AM

When are the classic puzzles going to be made available for us to download?

Strell

08-08-2007, 10:26 AM

Picked this up, played with it a bit. Pretty fun. Like a soothing minesweeper.

I'll get my FC later (after work, hopefully).

wubb

08-08-2007, 10:40 AM

When are the classic puzzles going to be made available for us to download?

That's what I'd love to know. Japan has multiple packs and Europe has at least 2 already. :bomb:

Picked this up, played with it a bit. Pretty fun. Like a soothing minesweeper.

I'll get my FC later (after work, hopefully).

Ha! I knew enticing you with Nintendo themed puzzles would compel you to make the purchase. :twisted:

------------------------------------------------------

For people that don't have a clue how this game works, this page seems to have a decent explanation: http://www.thonky.com/cazgridz/tutorial1.htm

briandadude

08-11-2007, 08:26 PM

Got my Picross from Amazon today, woohoo!

Is it always obvious how to start a puzzle? On some of them I had to just flat out guess to get it started...am I doing something wrong?

Strell

08-11-2007, 10:31 PM

Got my Picross from Amazon today, woohoo!

Is it always obvious how to start a puzzle? On some of them I had to just flat out guess to get it started...am I doing something wrong?

Picross DS is my first introduction to the game, but I'm getting a little better at the logic for it. I think after a while you start to notice little things to help you understand how to do the puzzles.

For example, let's say you have a board 10x10, and one of the rows says it filles in 8. You can assume that the chain can only be in one of three places: all the way to the left, centered, or all the way to the right. From that, you can assume that no matter where the chain is, there's always six squares that will have to be filled in, as shown below:

XXXXXXXX00
0XXXXXXXX0
00XXXXXXXX

See the overlap? No matter where the chain is, you can be sure those 6 get filled.

Then it's just a matter of building off that. A strategy I like to use is choosing the X and drawing the variations for a row/column, and then filling in the overlap. I'll draw the variations on 2-3 different rows, even when I'm only working on one row.

Another example. 10x10 board, you have 2 3 2. So:

XX0XXX0XX0
0XX0XXX0XX

There's at least four squares you can safely fill in.

Word of caution: If you do this (and since I do this a lot, I usually make this mistake), be sure you go back and erase the lines you drew X's on that you weren't trying to deduce.

I.e., if you're working on the top line, but you draw the variations on it and the two lines under it, get rid off the variations on those second two lines.

Otherwise what will happen is you'll be working on the puzzle and you'll see those X's and you won't remember drawing them, and you'll think they are there for a reason, when in reality you were using them to deduce something else altogether.

Anyway, it's a good strategy I've used so far.

Also, word of warning: Don't play this game in the car. It really screws you up. :p

briandadude

08-11-2007, 10:50 PM

Ahh! You're right!

Thanks a ton Strell, you're the man!

I just got the hang of Planet Puzzle League and getting chains to happen and now I have to learn all the Picross goodness.

Strell

08-11-2007, 10:53 PM

Sure. :)

Supposedly you should be able to always win based on pure logic alone without guessing. 'Course sometimes I'll slip and accidentally hit a square I shouldn't, and it says it should be filled in.

I guess you can call that guessing. :)

Forgot to mention this last post, but the 15x15 puzzles can be a bit much on that tiny screen. I think they handled it as best they possibly could. I hope with the DS2 that we get larger screens so you have the option of seeing everything at once.

I'm way too much of a needs-to-see-everything-all-at-once sort of guy.

Noodle Pirate!

08-11-2007, 11:41 PM

Brian another good rule of thumb for starting puzzles is to pick the lines with the most acountable numbers.

Like 2 5 3 1 4 3 may not look like a good place to start, but count it all up and include the spaces in between the numbers as well. Thats 23 slots accounted for in that one string of numbers.

Also try to fill in the 4 sides as much as you can at first since that will gaurantee you a set amount of spaces to fill in automatically.

You've probably already figured these hints out, but just in case, I thought I'd throw them up for you. The rest of the fun is figuring out what can fit in the empty spaces, given the numbers you have left and the space you have to fill, then working from there.

briandadude

08-12-2007, 02:27 AM

Thanks Noodle!

I really appreciate the tips guys, I need them! :)

wubb

08-13-2007, 11:20 AM

Forgot to mention this last post, but the 15x15 puzzles can be a bit much on that tiny screen. I think they handled it as best they possibly could. I hope with the DS2 that we get larger screens so you have the option of seeing everything at once.

I'm way too much of a needs-to-see-everything-all-at-once sort of guy.

If you switch from the stylus controls you see the entire puzzle at once for 15x15 and 20x20 puzzles. I've started switching (especially for the 20x20s) just to get the better overall picture and to avoid miss touches caused by the scrolling board.

Strell

08-13-2007, 11:25 AM

Aye wubb, I figured that out last night. Works must better.

Still makes me think Nintendo needs to give us a bigger screen with the next handheld.

johnnypark

08-13-2007, 12:29 PM

As fun as the stylus is, the d-pad and buttons are much more precise and efficient. Every once in awhile the stylus won't respond for a second, and then it'll hit some random block in the middle of the puzzle, usually penalizing me.

And yeah, it's much nicer not having to scroll around the board.

EvyLou

08-13-2007, 01:11 PM

i haven't seen anyone post about this yet - but my preferred method is using the stylus, but keeping the button locked on scroll. then whenever i want to fill in a square i just hold down "X" and fill in whichever squares i want (makes long lines easy by just dragging the stylus) and hold down "B" when i want to x any squares. let go of either button and it goes back to scroll mode. i'll usually use the top screen to do my counting, as you can tap on that as much as you'd like without causing any errors.

just wanted to throw this out there as i kinda stumbled across this method, and had seen too many reviews knock the controls as being "difficult"

radjago

08-14-2007, 09:48 AM

Also, word of warning: Don't play this game in the car. It really screws you up. :p
Yeah, I noticed this as well, although it's not as bad if you go back to d-pad and button controls.

I find myself making educated guesses more when I'm playing the online competition mode. If I see a large number, I'll start near the middle and guess which direction it goes. It's often faster than figuring it out, even if you do get a penalty.

wubb

08-14-2007, 10:09 AM

Yeah the penalty for the online mode is only what 5 seconds? Makes more sense to take a guess or two if you don't quickly see some definite plays.

I would have liked to see a higher penalty or maybe a configurable penalty (quick mode is the current few second penalty; careful mode is a 30 second penalty; and maybe even a sudden death mode where any error is instant defeat) but I guess they wanted to keep things simple and make all games the same.

Strell

08-14-2007, 12:38 PM

Tybee

08-14-2007, 01:58 PM

Can we merge the Picross threads, please?

wubb

08-14-2007, 02:04 PM

Question:

If the numbers across the top are mirrored, does that mean the picture is symmetrical?

I.e.:

1___1___1
2_1_2_1_2
131313131

I keep telling myself that logically it can be, or at least that there might be instances where it is, but can't quite convince myself it would ALWAYS be symmetrical.

Most of the time yes they would since most puzzles form a pretty picture and often that means symmetry, but I don't think they would mathematically have to be.

Tybee - The other thread is just for friend code trading and custom puzzle discussion and I think it's better to keep that separate and as low on clutter as possible.

Jayayess1190

08-22-2007, 10:05 PM

My friend code is 223446-949833.

hootie

08-23-2007, 03:41 PM

My friend code is 223446-949833.

Thanks, but there is another thread devoted to Picross DS FCs and WiFi play. :)

Ahambone

09-05-2007, 01:08 AM

Just to let everyone know, there are two Classic Picross packs now available for download.

EvyLou

09-05-2007, 01:39 AM

aaaarrrrgggh........and I only had 16 puzzles left out of the 300+......now they throw another 20 more at me. not that i'm complaining though, so i hope they keep coming.

for anyone that is curious, Pack 1 has 10 puzzles (1 10X10 N, 6 15X15 N, 3 15X15 F) and Pack 2 has 10 puzzles (2 10X10 N, 4 15X15 N, 4 15X15 F)

yukine

09-05-2007, 06:03 AM

Woot, classic packs. I'm downloading 'em.

radjago

09-05-2007, 01:04 PM

Do the Classic Packs take up space used for downloading original puzzles? If so, I'll have to delete some more before I download them.

Strell

09-05-2007, 01:10 PM

I can't count the hours I've lost to this game, and I can't figure out why I keep playing it, but I do.

RollingSkull

09-05-2007, 02:56 PM

Picross is love, buddy. Picross is love.

hootie

09-05-2007, 03:31 PM

Picross is love, buddy. Picross is love.

*obligatory QFT*

Strell

09-05-2007, 03:36 PM

I love it when RollingSkull and hootie post one after the other. If you scroll fast enough, it's like a picture flip book animation.

wubb

09-06-2007, 10:59 AM

Grabbed the two Mario packs yesterday!

I think it will take me something around 100 hours to do the 300 included puzzles. The upper level ones seem to take me about 20 minutes each to complete.

pete5883

09-06-2007, 11:44 PM

Grabbed the packs last night and finished them today, only 1 is Mario-related. Though I guess the skin is Mario's Picross themed. Pretty fun. I'm back to Level 6 on Free Mode, unfortunately I had to give up on those Sketch minigames a level or 2 ago because I just can't draw that fast.

RollingSkull

09-07-2007, 03:16 PM

I've gotten like 40 wins over the last couple days online just from "Opponent Disconnecting." I suspect if a connection cannot be made, both people get a win.

radjago

09-29-2007, 03:52 PM

Mario's Picross classic packs 3&4 were added on 9/17. Go get em!

dmaul1114

09-29-2007, 10:59 PM

Bought this a couple days ago.

Loving it. Though agree withthe complaints that the 15x15 and 20x20 puzzles are a bit much on the small screen. Sucks with all the moving, zooming etc with the stylus. Button controls a bit better, but still less than ideal. Just need a bigger screen.

banpeikun

09-29-2007, 11:39 PM

Mario's Picross classic packs 3&4 were added on 9/17. Go get em!just got this last week at the TRU B2G1F sale. been playing a couple puzzles a day, working on the bug level in normal now. what's this about getting more packs?

dmaul1114

09-29-2007, 11:52 PM

what's this about getting more packs?

Just log onto the WiFI in the game, then go to classic packs, you can down load for packs of puzzles (10 each) from Mario Picross!

Glad I read this thread, or I wouldn't have known as I had no interest in playing online, and no DS owning friends to trade puzzles with!

Fixed another nitpick I had with the game--pictures of random shit instead of Nintendo related pictures!

banpeikun

09-30-2007, 03:13 AM

hm just downloaded packs 1-4, pretty neat

dmaul1114

09-30-2007, 12:53 PM

So have most people played with or without the tips?

I did all of Easy and Level 1 of normal with no tips, but after the first couple of puzzles in Level 2 have been using tips. Saves a bit of frustration/boredom in figuring out where to get started for me without making it too easy IMO.

pete5883

10-01-2007, 09:46 AM

Late in Free mode, there are some puzzles where I can't get anything without a hint first. And sometimes the hint isn't enough and I have to try for another one. I have <30 puzzles left in the game, but now I'm sidetracked with the downloadable ones. Bringing back the classic Mario Picross music for the DLC made me very happy.

Strell

10-01-2007, 10:46 AM

This game doesn't end, I swear.

I thought I'd finished 10 levels of normal challenge, but no, there's a bonus stage.

And I haven't even finished the free mode OR the four packs I downloaded...

Arakias

10-01-2007, 11:10 AM

ooh, add on packs for this game? me want-y now. i was waiting to use an FYE giftcard to buy it but now ill just get it at target or something.

banpeikun

10-01-2007, 12:50 PM

cletus

10-01-2007, 07:51 PM

Sometimes in free mode I have to use tips just to know where to start. Other then that I don't use them.

dmaul1114

10-01-2007, 08:53 PM

I'm still using tips pretty much all the time now. Just don't have the patience to figure out where to start without them. Challenge is about where I like it with them.

pygmy carnotaur

10-02-2007, 12:12 AM

Am I doing something wrong? I'm trying to get the downloadable puzzles. I go into DS Wi Fi Connection, then to receive a classic puzzle. But then nothing happens. I get a screen that says "Searching for users sending Classic puzzles" but nothing ever happens. I let it go for 40 minutes last night and got nothing.

EDIT: Nevermind, I'm an idiot. I figured it out now.

radjago

10-03-2007, 02:00 PM

Packs 5 & 6 are up for download.

banpeikun

10-03-2007, 03:34 PM

i want to know why there's a goose and a chicken in mario pack 2

radjago

10-04-2007, 05:23 PM

Mario's Picross has pictures of things outside of Nintendo characters, you know.

http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/9178

I miss the alternate audio tracks from Mario's Picross. The one I used the most sounded like a circus.

daroga

10-11-2007, 11:56 PM

Picked up where I left off with this a while back as my "at school game" today. Great fun. Doing the 15x15 and higher puzzles works much better with the buttons than the stylus. I stopped playing because I couldn't take all the zooming and losing perspective.

dmaul1114

10-12-2007, 01:12 AM

Yeah, button control is a must for 15x15 and higher.

I'd have ditched the game if stylus controls and all the zooming etc. was the only way to play.

banpeikun

10-12-2007, 03:05 AM

Yeah, button control is a must for 15x15 and higher.

I'd have ditched the game if stylus controls and all the zooming etc. was the only way to play.IAWTP

pete5883

10-12-2007, 09:49 AM

I declare myself the Picross Master, for having just finished all 330 included puzzles. Come Monday, I'm sure the downloads will be sucking me back in.

dmaul1114

10-14-2007, 02:38 PM

Is it necessary to do those stupid little sketch, catch, hit mini games after every five puzzles?

By that I mean do you have to complete them to unlock puzzles? I've been doing them all through the first 3 levels of Normal, but they're damned annoying and I'd rather skip them if they're not required to open up stuff.

banpeikun

10-14-2007, 07:06 PM

i don't think they're required. my wife quit doing them after like level 3 or something, and she's on level 10 now. she has one more puzzle on lv10, so i'll let you know if she gets the bonus level afterward.

dmaul1114

10-14-2007, 07:29 PM

Awesome, I'll ignore them as well for now as they were getting pretty hard and driving me nuts. I'd rather just focus on the puzzles.

Troz1820

10-14-2007, 08:01 PM

Ignore them. You'll get the bonus puzzles even if you don't play them.

dmaul1114

10-14-2007, 08:06 PM

Awesome. Thanks!

radjago

10-18-2007, 02:29 PM

Mario's Picross packs 7&8 are now available for download.

pete5883

10-19-2007, 09:45 AM

8 is a lot easier than 7, oddly.

wubb

10-19-2007, 10:53 PM

Why does it force you to choose Free mode sometimes when you create a custom puzzle?

banpeikun

10-19-2007, 11:30 PM

Why does it force you to choose Free mode sometimes when you create a custom puzzle?mathematical algorithms!

radjago

10-22-2007, 01:40 PM

mathematical algorithms!
I think he's right. It seems like that if the puzzle would be unsolvable without guessing then it forces it into Free Mode.

Also, I regained my S Rating today in Daily Mode.

wubb

10-22-2007, 02:01 PM

If it's unsolvable without guessing it doesn't let you save it at all right? Well it does let you save it as unfinished.

SL4IN

10-22-2007, 02:09 PM

played around with this game yesterday, now I badly want it. may pick it up sometime this week.

banpeikun

10-22-2007, 04:33 PM

If it's unsolvable without guessing it doesn't let you save it at all right? Well it does let you save it as unfinished.well, there's one kind where it would come down to a guess at some point, and the game doesn't allow that at all. that would be something like this simple 2x2:

_11
1
1

but there are other puzzles that cannot be solved directly, rather they rely at one or more points on "assumption." you come to a situation where you can do "A" or "B," and the way to determine which is correct is by assuming one or the other and seeing if the rest of the puzzle can fall into place. in these cases, only one of the possibilities will work, and these puzzles fall into free mode.

puzzles which do not rely on any guesses or assumptions can be solved with normal mode.

RollingSkull

10-22-2007, 06:11 PM

I think it isn't so much needing "guessing" as it is requiring "extended proof by contradiction"

radjago

10-22-2007, 09:10 PM

I think it isn't so much needing "guessing" as it is requiring "extended proof by contradiction"That's what I meant. You have to make an assumption and prove/disprove it.

Wow this game is really... logical.

wubb

10-23-2007, 02:06 PM

Ah, because normal mode doesn't allow you to go with an overlay. I guess that makes sense.

Strell

10-23-2007, 03:29 PM

I will finish all the puzzles.

I will finish all the puzzles.

STOP UNLOCKING NEW STAGES, FREE MODE.

radjago

10-25-2007, 04:33 PM

I haven't had a must-finish feeling from a puzzle game since Guru Logic Champ. And I still never beat all the bonus stages on that one either.

radjago

11-02-2007, 05:56 PM

According to my calculations, new packs should be up any time now.

Edit: 9 & 10 went up on 10/29

radjago

11-14-2007, 01:32 AM

Wow, this is the game that keeps on giving. Nintendo Power Vol. 1 packs 1 & 2 are up.

I put up two more original puzzles too.

Strell

11-14-2007, 01:33 AM

I need to find my first post in this thread, so I can realize just how fucking long I've toiled away at the unrelenting merciless beast that it is.

I need to finish up the extra packs 1-8 from Mario's Picross, THEN get 9 and 10, finish those, delete them, and get the NP ones.

And I'm still not done with the damn Freestyle levels! :(

mrchainsaw

11-14-2007, 11:44 PM

I need to get this game soon. I played through Mario Picross a while ago and I need more picross. I know this is only $20, but is there any way to get this cheaper? Black Friday maybe?

mickeyp

11-15-2007, 12:54 PM

What are the NP ones? Why do you have to delete them?

Strell

11-15-2007, 01:14 PM

What are the NP ones? Why do you have to delete them?

There's not enough memory on the cart to support all 10 of the Mario's Picross downloads and the new ones they just released, so you have to delete some of the earlier packs.

I don't know what the NP ones hold. I just know that they are new and I have an insatiable need to finish every puzzle ever.

I imagine the number of hours I've spent on this game is creeping up near Animal Crossing levels.

radjago

11-15-2007, 03:10 PM

I think I'm on a 111 day streak now on the dailys. Everyone should post their top scores and averages for each mode here. I'll do it when I get home.

Also, I started playing online matches again. They're a little more difficult than the dailys and there's still people of a wide range of skills that are playing.

mickeyp

11-15-2007, 11:17 PM

I play this game everyday before I go to sleep.

pete5883

11-16-2007, 12:17 AM

I don't know what the NP ones hold. I just know that they are new and I have an insatiable need to finish every puzzle ever.
I think we need a support group.

radjago

11-18-2007, 06:04 PM

Okay, here it is.

Time Attack:
High Scores - 0:11:81, 0:12:21, 0:13:15
# of days - 114
Average time - 0:20:07
Rating - A

No X Marks:
High Scores - 0:13:26, 0:13:38, 0:14:58
# of days - 108
Average time - 0:28:65
Rating - A

Error Search:
High Scores - 0:12:44, 0:12:65, 0:13:84
# of days - 104
Average time - 0:22:89
Rating - A

Memory:
High Scores - 0:00:54, 0:00:80, 0:00:89
# of days - 99
Average time - 0:02:16
Rating - A

Secret:
High Scores - 0:06:61, 0:08:71, 0:09:22
# of days - 91
Average time - 0:15:78
Rating - A

Overall:
Rating - S

Online:
Coming soon.

pete5883

02-06-2008, 10:43 AM

For those of you who haven't been keeping up, they just released Nintendo Power Vol 2, Puzzle Packs 5-9 yesterday. bringing us up to 29 packs. Which is almost 300 additional puzzles?

ThatDamnDave

02-06-2008, 11:36 AM

Wow. I'll never have a chance to get through these puzzles.

dmaul1114

02-06-2008, 12:20 PM

Yeah I gave up any hope of doing all puzzles ages ago. Both because there are too many and because I have no patience for the 20x20 and larger puzzles. They're just too difficult and time consuming and too hard to see all at once (can't stand zooming in and out all the time).

Strell

02-06-2008, 03:03 PM

guessed

02-06-2008, 05:47 PM

For those of you who haven't been keeping up, they just released Nintendo Power Vol 2, Puzzle Packs 5-9 yesterday. bringing us up to 29 packs. Which is almost 300 additional puzzles?

Thanks for the update. I'll download them soon.

dmaul1114

02-06-2008, 08:43 PM

You don't zoom at all if you leave it on button input mode.

I know. That's how I play.

Problem is the 20x20, 25x20 are too damn small to see. 15x15 is hard enough on the eyes already.

But no biggy, as with the expansions there are more 10x10 and 15x15 puzzles than I'll ever get to anyway since I just play occasionally when I can't sleep or something.

mrchainsaw

02-18-2008, 10:43 PM

I just finished up all the downloadable puzzles so I think it's time for my copy to go to ebay. I loved this game as something to play as I relaxed.

terpkristin

02-18-2008, 11:13 PM

I just finished up all the downloadable puzzles so I think it's time for my copy to go to ebay. I loved this game as something to play as I relaxed.

Dunno what your plan was for ebay, but if you wanted to sell it to a CAG, I'd buy it off you...

/tk

mrchainsaw

02-18-2008, 11:20 PM

Dunno what your plan was for ebay, but if you wanted to sell it to a CAG, I'd buy it off you...

/tk
Well I've already put it up on ebay with a buy it now of $12 plus $4 shipping. Here's the link to it if you're interested.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESEX:IT&item=150217541110&_trksid=p3984.cSELL.m315.lVI

radjago

03-02-2008, 06:13 PM

I know. That's how I play.

Problem is the 20x20, 25x20 are too damn small to see. 15x15 is hard enough on the eyes already.

But no biggy, as with the expansions there are more 10x10 and 15x15 puzzles than I'll ever get to anyway since I just play occasionally when I can't sleep or something.

I like the way they did it on Picross 2 on the Game Boy. Puzzles were 30x30, but they were broken up into 15x15 quadrants. It made puzzles quicker and easier and pictures more detailed.

crunchewy

07-02-2008, 10:54 PM

My attempt to exchange friend codes for picross in the FC exchange thread was a flop, so I'll try here by noting that I've now got a few puzzles to download in my community area, including a special one to celebrate a recent event! To get the puzzles we just need to exchange friend codes. Rather then usurping this thread, just go to the FC exchange thread, or see my profile for my FC and then PM me your FC! I plan to make more puzzles, and would like to download yours!

Zing

07-05-2008, 02:03 PM

I hate to admit it, but like many others here, I thought this was one of the best games ever until I got to the "zoomed" puzzles. It just ruins it. It's too much work.

I still like the multiplayer, though.

pete5883

07-05-2008, 08:20 PM

I hate to admit it, but like many others here, I thought this was one of the best games ever until I got to the "zoomed" puzzles. It just ruins it. It's too much work.
If you switch to playing with the buttons instead of the stylus, you never have to zoom. Enjoy.

Edit: Nevermind, this was already discussed on this page. I don't understand how it is too small to see, but whatever.

dmaul1114

07-05-2008, 08:29 PM

If you switch to playing with the buttons instead of the stylus, you never have to zoom. Enjoy.

But it's too small to see things in puzzles larger than 15x15. I'm guess that's what he meant. Plus the larger puzzles are just too hard and time consuming IMO.

pete5883

07-05-2008, 08:55 PM

Goddammit, I thought they stopped updating the classic puzzles in February. NP Vol 3 went up in March, NP Vol 4 went up in May. So lots more puzzles to be had.

Zing

07-19-2008, 09:00 AM

I decided to load up this game again using the d-pad. Wow. The game is fun again! I would have never thought to try that myself, so I thank whoever first mentioned it.

As for the puzzles being too large and time-consuming... I think that is the point of the game: to consume time in an enjoyable fashion. If you mean the large puzzles are not enjoyable, then I could see your point.

Hell if you get right down to it, life itself is all about consuming time until you die, at least in our leisure-based society.

crunchewy

07-21-2008, 10:51 AM

I haven't had too much problem with the "zoomed" puzzles. For the most part I never zoom back out - the entire puzzle is always visible in the top screen. Also, I find that in a way it's easier to deal with the zoomed puzzles, because tapping a square hilights it when you are zoomed in (that doens't happen in puzzles that fit entirely on the screen), and that makes it easier to count. I mean, I can count across one direction and then leave the last square counted hilighted, then as I count from the there side (without touching) I can easily see the overlapping point. I rather wish that hilighting always occurred. I will have to try the dpad because I can see that probably that highlighting is always there with the dpad. I'll have to try that today.

Oh, and once again, add my friend code and post your friend code! I have two puzzles up and would like to design more (and better, hopefully *much* better :) ones. Just need people to download them so I feel like I'm accomplishing something.... Friend code is in my profile.