Pokemon Picross

 3DS
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

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  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 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    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.    … Expand
  2. 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 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 maxAs 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.    … Expand
  3. 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 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    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...    … Expand
  4. johnnyrio
    Jan 9, 2016
    10
    As far as Picross goes, you can't go wrong with Pokemon Picross on the 3DS. Plenty of puzzles and gaming to be had. The micro-purchases end up giving you the full experience with over 700 Pokemon and plenty of room for expansion.
  5. Mitchzap65
    Mar 25, 2016
    5
    Pokemon Picross is fun to be honest, but if you want to really play it for free, you have a lot of grinding to do. I do find it interesting how each type of pokemon has their own abilities to help you, and the branching paths are a smart choice too. But does it ever take so much Picrites to move on. It will take days and weeks to grind in training to get more currency, just to unlock toPokemon Picross is fun to be honest, but if you want to really play it for free, you have a lot of grinding to do. I do find it interesting how each type of pokemon has their own abilities to help you, and the branching paths are a smart choice too. But does it ever take so much Picrites to move on. It will take days and weeks to grind in training to get more currency, just to unlock to the next zone. It can sometimes makes you feel that you HAVE to fork over cash in order to progress. Just like Pokemon Bejeweled Clone.… Expand
  6. Salamence1
    Mar 14, 2016
    2
    Another one of pokemons many failed non RPG games. all of the latest pokemon non rpg games require you to fork over more and more money just to play a couple of levels. I wouldn't recommend this game just because of the money issues apart from that, it's a bearable game. It's good but not great. If you want a good pokemon non rpg game' i would stick with pokemon conquest from 2012
  7. Rtheom
    Jan 7, 2016
    8
    If you're into puzzle games, Picross is one of the best out there on a game system. Combining it with Pokemon hasn't really improved it beyond what it already was, but its another fun version. While there are micro-payments, they maxed them at $30, at which point you own the game. After running out of my initial supply of picrites (the in-game currency), I had determined the game was worthIf you're into puzzle games, Picross is one of the best out there on a game system. Combining it with Pokemon hasn't really improved it beyond what it already was, but its another fun version. While there are micro-payments, they maxed them at $30, at which point you own the game. After running out of my initial supply of picrites (the in-game currency), I had determined the game was worth $30 and just paid it all immediately. I haven't regretted that decision yet. The nice thing is, there's what, 700+ pokemon? That pretty much means there's gonna be tons of puzzles. Plus, it should be pretty easy for them to expand on this.

    TLDR: If you like puzzle games/picross anyway, get it. If you don't, you won't like it even with Pokemon.    … Expand
  8. fuchikoma
    Mar 30, 2016
    3
    It's hard to say who this is for. First, it starts you very slow and lays a heap of tutorial on you like you've never played Picross... then it shovels on additional Pokemon mechanics to make it more complicated. Once you've done a few puzzles to warm up, it suddenly has you doing 15 x 15 puzzles with zero hints or helpers.

    They've Candy Crushed Picross. If you wish Picross had more in    It's hard to say who this is for. First, it starts you very slow and lays a heap of tutorial on you like you've never played Picross... then it shovels on additional Pokemon mechanics to make it more complicated. Once you've done a few puzzles to warm up, it suddenly has you doing 15 x 15 puzzles with zero hints or helpers.

    They've Candy Crushed Picross. If you wish Picross had more in app purchases, this one's for you.    … Expand
  9. Zeag
    Mar 2, 2016
    9
    As someone who bought all the Picross games in existence so far, I had to give this one a go despite it's free-to-play model. About 3-4 days in I was frustrated with how the game had "gated" me so early into buying some of its in-game currency (picrites) but since the price for the one-time "starter" package was so low and the fact that they give you unlimited picrites if you spend ~30As someone who bought all the Picross games in existence so far, I had to give this one a go despite it's free-to-play model. About 3-4 days in I was frustrated with how the game had "gated" me so early into buying some of its in-game currency (picrites) but since the price for the one-time "starter" package was so low and the fact that they give you unlimited picrites if you spend ~30 dollars, I decided to cave in.

    I've been so **** hooked since then, it's almost silly.

    The Pokemon mechanic layer on top of Picross has managed to put a new twist in this ageing puzzle game and keep the whole thing fresh. Considering the amount of puzzles and the fact that you'll most likely replay a few of them to get 100% completion, it's not as pricey as it initially seems.

    All in all, I don't feel cheated out of my money with this game, but there are some weird design decisions that made me regret doing some in-game purchases before others such as Alt-World puzzles not giving any picrites and the lack of use for the 4th-5th-6th pokemon slots. I could've probably completed the game without maxing out the in-game store limit if I had known that.

    All in all, a much more solid Picross game that I initially thought. If you're not quite sure after you start running out of picrites, try putting 2 dollars in it! Enjoy!    … Expand
  10. EpicLadySponge
    Jun 6, 2016
    7
    This game randomly popped out of nowhere from my New Nintendo 3DS XL system (same for the YouTube app) and since I have nothing to do but just try for just a few minutes for a review, it's easy to say Pokémon Picross is boring and isn't as unique as I thought it would be.
  11. luiselx
    Jan 28, 2016
    9
    Un juego de puzzle genial. Increible que pueda llevar ya 30 horas de juego totalmente gratuitas. Muy adictivo. La única razon que veo para puntuarlo mal es que no se comprenda las mecánicas de picross.
  12. Uco
    Mar 26, 2017
    6
    This is a typical Picross style puzzle game which uses pokémon types in a clever way to offer you a bunch of abilities. These abilities will provide you with some help when solving the puzzles.

    It has a daily challenge which will reward you with in-game currency regularly. That is, along with accomplishing puzzles' objectives, your source of free currency. There is an energy bar that    This is a typical Picross style puzzle game which uses pokémon types in a clever way to offer you a bunch of abilities. These abilities will provide you with some help when solving the puzzles.

    It has a daily challenge which will reward you with in-game currency regularly. That is, along with accomplishing puzzles' objectives, your source of free currency.

    There is an energy bar that allows you to continue solving puzzles, and requires a certain amount of time to be refilled. This time limit is rather long so you can play very brief runs every X hours.

    Many of the objectives in the puzzles are merely symbolic, kind of easy to achieve. Only some of them will require you to focus on the task to get the extra currency.

    I miss a much wider variety of pokémons for the puzzles, different species or forms.

    In my opinion, it is a great game to have in its free-only model to play for a little time daily, until you eventually unlock everything. It is not worth it to pay for the "full" experience from the beginning; I think it lacks of content.    … Expand
  13. thealexmott
    Mar 26, 2017
    6
    Pokémon fans beware! I had never put money into a FTP game before, but this hooked me and I ended up putting like $25 into Pokémon Picross. That would be fine, but when it was all done, I was actually glad. My inherent compulsion to "catch 'em all" carried over to this game. I 100%-ed it simply because I needed to get all the Pokémon, not because I actually enjoyed the game that much.Pokémon fans beware! I had never put money into a FTP game before, but this hooked me and I ended up putting like $25 into Pokémon Picross. That would be fine, but when it was all done, I was actually glad. My inherent compulsion to "catch 'em all" carried over to this game. I 100%-ed it simply because I needed to get all the Pokémon, not because I actually enjoyed the game that much.

    It's ultimately addicting busywork with familiar cartoon faces.    … Expand
  14. MagusZiad
    Apr 15, 2019
    7
    Picross is one of those games that requires a bit of time to play but feels rewarding once a puzzle is done , then you'd naturally do another. this game requires a grind like no other for free players, you can play this for months and still get nowhere. for a casual player, it isn't too bad unless it gets boring, which it will once the game requires a high amount of in game currency to getPicross is one of those games that requires a bit of time to play but feels rewarding once a puzzle is done , then you'd naturally do another. this game requires a grind like no other for free players, you can play this for months and still get nowhere. for a casual player, it isn't too bad unless it gets boring, which it will once the game requires a high amount of in game currency to get to the next area (players don't earn much through gameplay). For a free to start game it isn't too bad, there is a price however.… Expand
  15. hector_bcn98
    Nov 4, 2022
    9
    Si te vuelve loco Picross y Pokémon, como a mí en su día, lo completarás y después te pondrás a contar las horas que has dedicado a hacer todo el rato lo mismo. Lo mejor es que te la pelará completamente.

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

Critic Reviews

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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]
  2. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Feb 4, 2016
    75
    If you're willing to part with $30, this Picross rocks. [Issue #19 – January/February 2016, p.24]
  3. Everyeye.it
    Jan 22, 2016
    75
    The Picross gameplay is still entertaining. Add Pokemons and what you get is a quite fun ride.
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