Customer Reviews

Sudoku Gridmaster

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

The game works like the puzzle, enter the numbers between 1 and 9 in all the squares in the grid while ensuring no one number appears in the same row or column twice. If you've played Sudoku in Brain Age, be warned that the two are different in how you use the controls.

Sudoku Gridmaster for the Nintendo DS contains over 400 puzzles ranging from easy to difficult, so fans can get plenty of 9x9-squared goodness to keep them busy for a long time. Those who've never played the puzzle or haven't gotten the hang of using a Nintendo DS will appreciate the game's detailed help and guidance. The game comes with practice mode to help you get a feel for the game and its rules.

However, using a stylus with Sudoku Brain Age is easier than with Gridmaster. The handwriting recognition doesn't work as well in Gridmaster and the controls are more tedious, whether you write them or tap them. Gridmaster does have a few tools that come in handy like double-tapping a number highlights all of the same number that appear in the grid. It also lets you highlight entire rows and columns.

Question marks float in the background, which gets annoying after a while. While you can change the background color, you can't turn off the animation. To move around the game, you can use write or touch mode although in write mode, you tap the screen to do a few tasks.

Most electronic Sudoku games erase the temp numbers upon entering a final number into the box, not this one. You have to select one of the four little boxes where the temp numbers live and then erase it.

As soon as you solve a puzzle, you earn stars based on how fast you completed the puzzle and the level of difficulty. After collecting a specific number of stars, you unlock bonus puzzles.

Puzzle and Sudoku fans might enjoy playing this -- it depends on how much patience the user has for its few usability challenges that slow down the game play. Maybe Nintendo will take note and improve its usability in a future release. Owners of other aforementioned Touch Generations games should be happy to add this one to their collection. Unlike many video games for handheld consoles, this one retails for a low $19.99.

This is one of the first game from Nintendo to get branded with the Touch Generations> label, which identifies titles that anyone can pick up and play even those with zero Gameboy experience and can be played at competitive levels or as casual fun. The logo for these games appears in orange and black with the letter G and a stylus. Touch Generations titles include Big Brain Academy, Brain Age, Magnetica, Nintendogs, Electroplankton, Tetris DS, and True Swing Golf. Nintendo is attempting to reach those who have little experience with video games and those who like puzzles and other games in this category.

This game pales in comparison with the Sudoku found in Brain Age. The only reason to play it on the DS instead of in a cheap paper book are the electronic features. But if the interface is awful, why bother?

PROS:
The only nice feature this offers over pen and paper Sudoku are 2 minimal improvements: Double clicking on a number will highlight all instances of that number on the grid. And when a number appears 9 times already on the grid (not including the jotted notes) then that number fades out and you can't input it anymore. Ready for the bad parts? Keep reading....

CONS:
The interface! Here are the things I hate about it:

1. The total grid takes up about 1/2 of 1 Nintendo DS screen. The upper screen mirrors the grid on the lower screen... and at the same size. There is absolutely no function for the upper screen. All it really offers is a timer. Too bad you can't turn it off to save power.

2. The temporary numbers you use to indicate possible numbers is tiny. I'd say a 4 point font. If you're over 40 years old... save your eyesight. Now imagine that font with a dim screen (since you're using an old DS model or saving power since the upper screen is sucking it all away) ... and imagine it while moving (like in a subway or car).

3. The tiny temporary numbers don't disappear when you indicate the actual number you think fits in that cell. Each cell holds up to 4 temporary numbers. So you'll have to click on the tiny corners of the cell and manually delete them.

4. No option to be alerted if you enter the wrong number in a cell. (Brain Age has this option).

5. Lousy music. Guess this is a plus too since turning off the speaker saves battery power.

6. More bad interface.... This happened to me one time: I was resuming a saved game and made a mistake when I filled in the puzzle. I wanted to go back to where I last saved.... it's not possible except by restarting the DS. I chose to return to the main menu, hoping I could do it from there. And guess what? It didn't just delete my unsaved information but it tossed out my save too.

I agree with the other people who gave this one poor marks. The game does not make good use of the dual screens at all. And sudoku is all this
game does.

I was spoiled because the first sudoku game I bought for DS was Brain
Age - please note that sudoku is only a part of the Brain Age software,
sort of a "bonus". Anyway, they designed it so you turn the DS 180 degrees and hold it like a book - the sudoku grid is nice and large, and
fills most of one screen. The grid navigation and number entry system are very intuitive. The only issue is there are a set number of puzzles.

I wish the designers of Brain Age would put out a dedicated sudoku game with the same interface, but one that generates new puzzles.

I'd stay away from Gridmaster. Another option is Sudoku Mania, which is better and less expensive.

I started Sudoku on the Brain Age Game. I find the Gridmaster to have a poor and incomplete interface (4 temporaries only) and tiny font. Why it didn't follow the Brain Age system is beyond me. Under no circumstance can I recommend this game. Buy Brain Age and wait for a better Sudoku Game. Earl

I bought this game after falling in love with Sudoku through Brain Age. However, after playing a few of the maps, dealing with the annoying music and cumbersome interface, I gave up.

If you haven't played Brain Age Sudoku, then maybe you won't have the same problems I did. If you have played Brain Age and are looking for more Sudoku, don't buy this game. Go buy a book or play on a website. This game will just frustrate you.

The system for adding in numbers has way too many steps to it. You have to tap a number pad to add in a number, instead of just writing the number into the pad. If you use the "helper" numbers, you have to select which of the four sections of a box you want to add the helper number to, then tap the number pad you want to add and then tap the full box button to get back to adding in the actual number. It's too cumbersome of a system.

There are often times where a good video game can be chalenging, fun and just exciting for all ages. That has also been said with the recent success of the puzzle games like word searches, the classic crossword puzzles and now Su Doku. Since it came out a few years ago, it has been one of the most exciting things to ever come out to the public. Nintendo also saw the success of Su Doku, and took that into the highly acclaimed Nintendo DS system, with the well-received Brain Age game. Since then, there have been many knockoff games to Su Doku, and Brain Age. Now, the DS takes the brain, and pulls out more muscle from the puzzle.

Sudoku Gridmaster for the Nintendo DS system, is a compilation of over 400 different kinds of Su Doku puzzles that range vastly in difficulty from beginners, to extremely advanced contendors who've mastered the game very well. The graphics for the gameare well desired, but the control is nothing new for DS players. It all happenes to be within the stylus, as you point and write your numbers down on each space n the typical 9x9 grid. The gameplay is a whole lot of fun, and drives within each different puzzle to play around with. The game is very addictive for anybody who loves the grueling puzzles and the test of the mind as well.

All in all, Sudoku Gridmaster is a great game for any Nintendo DS owner. If you loved puzzle games like Brain Age and Big Brain Academy, then this definitly is a great add-on to you DS library. If you haven't played virtual version of Su Doku before, this is also a great buy.

Graphics: B

Sound: B

Control: B+

Fun & Enjoyment: B 1/2+

Overall: B+

I guess I was hoping that the Sudoku Gridmaster would compare to the Sudoku game that comes with the Brian Age game. Gridmaster is challenging but if you need reading glasses you had better put them on because you will need them to see the small numbers. One of the biggest disappointments with this game for me is to have made a mistake and not find it to the end and have to redo the entire game, frustrating.

I LOVE this game. It's fun and stimulating whether I have 15 minutes or an hour of free time. With a variety of levels of difficulty, it will be a long time before I need to buy another Sudoku game. Well worth the money!!

This is the most addictive Sudoku DS game that I own (and I have them all). I only wish they would come out with a second edition.
Being able to highlight blocks and numbers really helps my playing.
I have found that playing Sudoku Gridmaster has honed my overall playing skills. When I go back to Brain Age, I can solve puzzles more easily and efficiently as a result of playing Gridmaster.
I can barely put it down. I'm almost finished solving ALL the skill levels and I'm planning on starting over again.
Highly recommend this game.
Carol

Overall its a great game- I don't like the screen set-up, could be more like "Brain Age" the little numbers in the boxes are too small for my old eyes.