Mario's Picross

Title
Publisher Mario's Picross / Nintendo /Ape / Jupiter

Genre Puzzle

Features Battery-backed memory / Super GameBoy

Reviewer Ben Kosmina

Summary
Gameplay
When playing Mario's Picross for the first time, I'm sure your reaction will be "What on earth am I supposed to do?" Don't worry, that was my reaction too. Mario's Picross is a unique puzzle game with grids of varying size. The object of the game is to use the 'clues' (numbers) on the sides of the grid to chip away certain pieces of the grid which will reveal a mystery picture. If that didn't make any sense, don't worry - Mario will teach you how to play the game.

Mario's Picross has a huge selection of puzzles to beat, with about 190 puzzles to work your way through. While some of them are very easy and you'll fly through them in a matter of seconds, others are absolutely brain-aching to get through. Don't worry though, because there's a battery-backed memory to save how many puzzles you've beaten, and how many pictures you've seen. Most pictures are just objects that you see everyday, but sometimes, the occasional Mushroom Kingdom object will pop up, such as a Super Star or Mushroom. I've even found a picture of a GameBoy!

Mario's Picross' graphics aren't really much to look at. There's just the grid, Mario and the chisel. In some cases, there's a border too. There are five different choices of music if you get sick of the one you're listening to - you can access these by pushing the Start button while playing and selecting BGM. Song number 3 is the best in my opinion.

Verdict Mario's Picross is an okay puzzle game. The graphics and sound do the job, but there could have been something more that could have been done with them. The gameplay is confusing at first, but once (or if!) you get the hang of it, it's all smooth sailing from there. Nothing is really dynamic about it though, it's just a puzzle game where you chip out a board to discover a secret picture. There's nothing to really keep you wanting to play more, either.

If you're looking for a great puzzle game, get something else. There are plenty of games than this. And most other puzzle games also have the opportunity for two player as well. Mario's Picross is only worth buying if you're a real diehard Mario fan, or if you really, REALLY like puzzle games that don't even attempt a two player mode.

Title Publisher	Mario's Picross / Nintendo /Ape / Jupiter
Genre	Puzzle
Features	Battery-backed memory / Super GameBoy
Reviewer	Ben Kosmina
Summary Gameplay	When playing Mario's Picross for the first time, I'm sure your reaction will be "What on earth am I supposed to do?" Don't worry, that was my reaction too. Mario's Picross is a unique puzzle game with grids of varying size. The object of the game is to use the 'clues' (numbers) on the sides of the grid to chip away certain pieces of the grid which will reveal a mystery picture. If that didn't make any sense, don't worry - Mario will teach you how to play the game. Mario's Picross has a huge selection of puzzles to beat, with about 190 puzzles to work your way through. While some of them are very easy and you'll fly through them in a matter of seconds, others are absolutely brain-aching to get through. Don't worry though, because there's a battery-backed memory to save how many puzzles you've beaten, and how many pictures you've seen. Most pictures are just objects that you see everyday, but sometimes, the occasional Mushroom Kingdom object will pop up, such as a Super Star or Mushroom. I've even found a picture of a GameBoy! Mario's Picross' graphics aren't really much to look at. There's just the grid, Mario and the chisel. In some cases, there's a border too. There are five different choices of music if you get sick of the one you're listening to - you can access these by pushing the Start button while playing and selecting BGM. Song number 3 is the best in my opinion.
Verdict	Mario's Picross is an okay puzzle game. The graphics and sound do the job, but there could have been something more that could have been done with them. The gameplay is confusing at first, but once (or if!) you get the hang of it, it's all smooth sailing from there. Nothing is really dynamic about it though, it's just a puzzle game where you chip out a board to discover a secret picture. There's nothing to really keep you wanting to play more, either. If you're looking for a great puzzle game, get something else. There are plenty of games than this. And most other puzzle games also have the opportunity for two player as well. Mario's Picross is only worth buying if you're a real diehard Mario fan, or if you really, REALLY like puzzle games that don't even attempt a two player mode.