Pokemon Picross

 3DS
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. CD-Action
    Mar 30, 2016
    70
    If you enjoy Picross and love Pokémon – get this game. [03/2016, p.73]
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  2. SpazioGames
    Jan 11, 2016
    70
    A high quality Picross game that can shine brightly even without original ideas, due to more than enough “truly free” content to satisfy an eager player. Microtransactions are still quite significant though (even if limited), so take that into consideration when you get the game.
  3. Nintendo Life
    Dec 3, 2015
    70
    If you're looking for a game that you can play casually without paying, look elsewhere. If you're willing to pay up, this is the best entry in the Picross e sub-series yet.
  5. Shacknews
    Dec 3, 2015
    70
    It is a Picross game at its core, but Nintendo has found enough ways to integrate the Pokemon mythos that it feels fresh and new. While it's certainly strange that you're essentially penalized for challenging yourself, and the asking price to access all the content may feel too steep, it is a creative take on the classic puzzle type. For Picross devotees or Pokemon fans, it's certainly worth exploring.
  6. Attack of the Fanboy
    Dec 3, 2015
    70
    Pokemon Picross takes two familiar things and combines them into something new and fresh. The 3DS has no shortage of great puzzle games, yet Pokemon Picross can easily stand out among the crowd, especially if you're a fan of either of its two elements.
  7. Game Over Online
    Dec 3, 2015
    68
    I love the idea of Pokémon Picross, and it is executed well. The core game got its hooks into me quickly, but as a puzzle game with no random elements, it doesn’t translate well to the world of free-to-play. Even patient and skilled Picross players will find their entertainment held hostage behind paywalls.

Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Best 3DS Game of 2015
20
#20 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2015
27
#27 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2015

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 80 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 80
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 80
  3. Negative: 12 out of 80
  1. pikachuyann
    Dec 11, 2015
    2
    While this game has an interesting aspect of mixing Picross with Pokémon collection and strategy, it's buisness model is far from acceptable.While this game has an interesting aspect of mixing Picross with Pokémon collection and strategy, it's buisness model is far from acceptable. While Picross games are usually having more than 150 levels for only 5€/5$, paying twice this price will not give you anything the full game with Pokémon Picross.

    It's a free-to-start, but without paying you will not go far, except if you have exceptional patience and are ready to wait for several months.    … Full Review »
  2. khron
    Oct 15, 2018
    0
    I don't know how someone would think of such monetization approach...

    Game is divided by "screens" with a few levels each. Levels on each    I don't know how someone would think of such monetization approach...

    Game is divided by "screens" with a few levels each. Levels on each screen are free (after beating previous ones), but:
    - while solving puzzle, each "fill cell" action takes 1 point of energy, you cannot play while out of energy
    - going to next "screen" takes some "gold", you can earn it (very slowly) by beating puzzles and daily challenges

    To get max "gold" you need to fullfill all puzzle requirements at once (like solving with certain pokemons). But sometimes you cannot get required pokemon until later screen, and you cannot get to later screen because you cannot get max gold...

    After solving a puzzle, you catch pokemon. Each pokemon has unique power (like solving column, row, box, slow time etc). Nothing too fancy, especially if you like to solve picross without any hints.

    As a fan of all picross games, I tried to be patient, but after a few days I moved to other picross games that you can simply buy.

    Funny thing is, that you can "buy" pokemon picross, because after spending certain amount on "gold" you unlock "unlimited gold", and then you can unlock unlimited energy after upgrading energy meter with unlimited gold...    … Full Review »
  3. Techbane
    Dec 16, 2015
    8
    As someone who paid full price for Picross DS and Picross 3D when those came out, the pricing model here doesn't bother me too much. You get aAs someone who paid full price for Picross DS and Picross 3D when those came out, the pricing model here doesn't bother me too much. You get a small chunk of the game for free with some good tutorials to start, a discount on the first couple of smaller currency packs, and currency purchases max out at about the typical price for a retail 3DS game (~$45 for me). Mind, you WILL need to max out the price to see all the main puzzles. You earn a piddling amount of currency back per puzzle, which gives more of an illusion of earning your way forward than you actually are.

    Cash purchases go towards unlocking extra level packs, extending your energy meter (that dictates how much you can do in a sitting), unlocking Mega Evolutions, extra party slots, and opening the "Alt World" stages, which is the new term for Mega Picross and doubles the number of puzzles you have to play... by simply being repeats of all the puzzles you currently have access to, minus any rewards. If you want the most content for cheap: extend the energy meter but don't remove it, don't buy more than the third party slot, don't buy the Mega Evolutions, don't pay to recharge anything, and don't buy the Alt World unless you're keen enough on Mega Picross to do every puzzle upwards of twice.

    As for the gameplay, it's as good as Picross has ever been. You unlock Pokémon to take with you into stages for bonuses like slowing the timer, revealing chunks of tiles, checking for errors, or my personal favourite, highlighting what rows and columns you can currently work from. The puzzles are mostly 10x10 to start with, gradually introducing more 15x15 and 20x15 later on. Each puzzle has a par time and usually a couple secondary goals involving bringing certain Pokémon or using certain abilities, which encourages you to mix things up, though some of the par times basically mandate cheating.

    Definitely pricier than the slew of Picross e-games on the eShop, but you get a much wider and fresher selection of mechanics. If you're a longtime Picross junkie, the cost will probably be justified, and don't forget you can still take a good bite out of it for cheap.    … Full Review »
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