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. 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
  2. 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.
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. 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

All reviews »
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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