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Get your puzzle on.

The DS is no stranger to puzzle games. In fact, in its relatively short lifespan (3 years), it has become home to some of the best puzzlers ever and the hits just keep on coming. In just the past few months we've seen Puzzle Quest and Planet Puzzle League offer up hours upon hours of addicting game play. As good as those games are, I'm more swept away by Picross DS due to its unique and challenging puzzles, perfect challenge level, and seemingly endless supply of new and exciting boards to conquer. I haven't been this addicted to a puzzle game before. Ever.

Unlike Tetris or Puzzle League, there aren't any blocks or lines to clear. Instead, Picross DS plays a bit like Sudoku and a crossword puzzle. Instead of solving words you're solving pictures. Here's how it works. At the basic level you're given a grid that contains 25 squares, 5 across by 5 vertical. At the top of each column is a number or series of numbers showing how many square need to be filled in or etched out. The same goes for the rows. So, if you have a column of 5 squares and the number over that column is a 5, then you know all 5 need to be filled in. If there are 2 sets of numbers, say a 1 and a 3, then you know four total squares need to be filled in. There always has to be a break between the numbers, so in this scenario the top square would be filled in, followed by an empty square, and then the next 3 squares would need to be filled in. You can place an X in any square that you know can't be filled in. Eventually you will begin to deduce which squares need to be filled in and which don't. At the end of the puzzle you will have created a picture of some sort. It can be something as simple as a letter from the alphabet or more detailed pieces of work like an animal or a flower. The game is timed and the goal is to complete each puzzle as quickly as possible without making any mistakes. Every time you accidentally fill in a wrong square you'll be penalized by having minutes added on to your time. The default mode of play is to use the touch screen to fill in the empty squares and then toggle an icon to place "X's" where there shouldn't be any filled in squares. While this mode does the job fine, I much prefer to use the D-Pad to move a cursor to the boxes and the buttons to either etch out the square or place an "X". It leaves little room for error and I do not constantly have to tap the icon to switch between modes. Of course, I'm used to playing Mario's Picross on the Game Boy (1995 release) so it might be that I'm hardwired into using the D-Pad method. I'm just glad there's a choice.

As you progress to the more difficult puzzles, the grid size will expand to 15 by 15 squares, allowing for more complex pictures. The top screen on the DS will always show the pieces of the picture you've etched out. As you become better at the game you may figure out what the picture is before you've filled in all of the appropriate squares, at which point it becomes possible to guess which squares need to be filled in to complete the puzzle. This technique becomes important in later stages where the game becomes difficult by not revealing many clues as to which squares need to be etched.

In addition to the standard 1-player mode, up to 5 players can battle it out wirelessly. This very basic versus mode throws a set number of puzzles at each player and the one who finishes them first wins the game. The online mode plays the same over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. For the most part I prefer the game's single player modes, but the Wi-Fi Connection also allows for downloading of classic puzzles directly from Nintendo as well as user-created puzzles from your friends. These downloads add to the longevity of the game, are free, and are a very welcome addition to an already fantastic game.

As a puzzle game, Picross DS doesn't feature elaborate graphics or amazing music. In fact, I find the music to be a huge distraction so I just turn it off in the options screen. You can play in classic graphics mode with a normal grid and primary colors or you can stay with the default, which will change backgrounds depending on your level. I found the basic mode to be easier on the eyes. This game doesn't require flashy graphics so the minimalist approach works well here.

Picross DS has me captivated. Ever since I received it I can't put it down. I've played it every night before bed. It features a Daily Picross mode that keeps track of my progress on a chart, similar to Planet Puzzle League and Brain Age. The game supports the Rumble Pak, but it's a trivial option and I can take it or leave it. Some gamers will surely like the added interaction though. Puzzle freaks, hardcore gamers, and casuals alike should definitely give Picross DS a try. It will keep you occupied for a long time and it has that magical "I'll just play one more level" quality to it that so few games possess. Plus it's only $19.99. You simply can't go wrong.