Nintendo today announced that the fun and addictive puzzler, Picross DS, would be launching across Europe exclusively on the DS on the 11th of May at an estimated retail price of £30.

This pick up and play title is the latest in Nintendo’s Touch! Generations series joining other popular games such as Nintendogs, 42 All Time Classics and Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training. Picross DS offers light puzzle entertainment that is accessible to everyone, irrespective of age or experience. Be warned though because players will have to have speedy fingers and fast minds to conquer the puzzles in Picross DS.

Quick and quirky puzzle solving fun

The main Picross Mode requires players to reveal a hidden image which lies beneath the puzzle by filling in a grid with squares and crosses to complete patterns. Players can look forward to 300 puzzles ranging from elementary five by five grids to complicated twenty by twenty grids. Should players get stuck they can choose to receive clues to help finish the puzzle as well as give themselves a head start with a roulette style hint function which reveals one line of the puzzle.

My Picross Mode allows players to create their own puzzles which they can share with their friends using the Nintendo DS wireless connectivity or the Wi-Fi Connection service or even challenge their friends with. Players will use the DS stylus and touch screen to design Picross DS puzzles of all sizes as well as the images beneath the puzzle which is released upon its completion.

Chart your progress

Picross DS also features a calendar based Daily Picross DS Mode where players are challenged to complete several quick puzzles every day. This mode is comprised of the five by five grid puzzles and is designed to test how quickly players can analyze and complete five small puzzles. A chart will also plot each day’s results which show a player’s progress. Players can unlock new modes through playing Daily Picross DS Mode for consecutive days, including No X’s, Error Search and Memory.

Mini-games and unlockable customization options

Keep an eye out for various touch screen mini-games which can be unlocked and played in the main Picross Mode. Players will compete in skill and reaction based challenges as they race against the clock. Players can also customize their game environments by unlocking various different skins with themes including nature, sport and video game heroes.

Multiplayer mode allows up to five players to compete against each other and the clock to complete puzzles first in Multi-Picross Mode. Players can also take part in Online Battle Mode with another player from anywhere in the world with Nintendo’s Wi-Fi Connection service. Wi-Fi also allows players to download a nearly endless supply of new puzzles. Players can upload the puzzles which they have created in My Picross Mode which other players can browse and download online. Players can also download official puzzles from Nintendo.