Mario's Picross
Reviewed by Iman
Mario's Picross is a puzzle game in which you try to chisel pictures such as mushrooms
and hearts out of a rock. There are numbered clues that you follow in order to decide
where to chisel (for example "2,4" means that in that row\column there can be several
or no blank spaces, two spaces you need to chisel, one or more blank spaces, four spaces
you need to chisel, and several or no blank spaces). All this time you are trying to beat
the clock. You lose two minutes for every mistake you make.
Graphics 7 out of 10
The graphics are pretty good in Mario's Picross. The title screen graphics are kind of
3-D. The puzzle selection screen graphics are pretty good. When you are doing the puzzle,
the graphics are enlarged so they have jagged edges. But when you finish it shrinks the
picture and looks just spiffy.
Music and Sound 2 out of 10
There are almost a hundred levels in this game and the music never changes once
(with the exception of the puzzle selection screen). And it's pretty hokey, too (doot
dee doot dee doot dee...). You'll listen to it for about two levels, then grow sick of it
and turn it off. The little "chink"s, "plunk"s, and electronic groan sound effects don't
contribute at all. This only got points because there WAS sound.
Game Challenge 4 out of 10
Mario's Picross takes about 10 minutes to get good at. All of the puzzles in easy
picross are, well, easy. Very easy. And of all the levels in Normal Picross, the
difficulty only changes once. So if you've mastered one, you've mastered them all
(with a few exceptions).
Game Play-Fun 5 out of 10
You'll have fun with Mario's Picross for about a half an hour. Then you'll notice how
repetitive and boring it is. Most of the pictures are symbols from the Mario games.
And the music drives you insane! You won't have tons o' fun playing this game for long
periods of time.
Frustration
You really can't get frustrated in this game. There's no challenge. Occasionally you
don't solve a puzzle in time, but that's very rare. And you'll almost guaranteed get
it the next time. You won't stay awake at night over these puzzles.
Replayability 3 out of 10
You may be done with this game even before you beat it. If you replay Mario's Picross
at all, it'll be several years later when you've forgotten you had it. Then you'll play it
for a while and realize, "Oh, this is that boring game" and turn it off.
Game Value
The only value for this game is that it's something to do. Or you could dissect it and
find out how Game Boy games work. If you want a puzzle game, don't buy this one-there's
no challenge. I don't know what the price is, but it's not worth it. One plus, though, is
that its Super Game Boy compatible.
Overall 21 out of 50
Don't buy it! If you ever like it at all, it won't be for long. Mario's Picross wasn't fun
for me and it probably won't be fun for you.