I Love Sudokus. Honest! -- Review
I don't think I've ever heard someone say they "love" doing Sudokus -- you know, that number game that is similar to a crossword puzzle, except with numbers. Well, I'm here to announce to you that I love doing Sudokus.
No, I am not lying. I'm not even exaggerating. I find them exhilirating, thought-provoking, sometimes brain-numbing, but always fun. Except, that is, when I find I've put in the wrong number, but I don't quite know where, so I have to erase the entire puzzle and start from scratch. Then I just get very upset and put it away for a few days.
I recently had the opportunity from Mom Fuse to review a very cool game: an electronic Sudoku, by Nikoli. The Nikoli Handheld Sudoku, by Franklin, is small enough to take along on a car trip, when the thought of listening to the kiddies squabbling in the backseat for three hours is more than you can bear. It runs on batteries, which are included.
No, I am not lying. I'm not even exaggerating. I find them exhilirating, thought-provoking, sometimes brain-numbing, but always fun. Except, that is, when I find I've put in the wrong number, but I don't quite know where, so I have to erase the entire puzzle and start from scratch. Then I just get very upset and put it away for a few days.
I recently had the opportunity from Mom Fuse to review a very cool game: an electronic Sudoku, by Nikoli. The Nikoli Handheld Sudoku, by Franklin, is small enough to take along on a car trip, when the thought of listening to the kiddies squabbling in the backseat for three hours is more than you can bear. It runs on batteries, which are included.
The Sudoku Handheld fits nicely into the palm of your hand, and is easy to use. Just flick a switch, and it turns on. The goal of the game: complete the empty squares so that the digits 1 through 9 appear only once in every row, column and block, both vertically and horizontally. There are three skill levels, as well as a Sudoku puzzle builder and solver built into this little baby.
I tried the game myself, and also had my daughter, age 13, try it out. Bear in mind that they are not as fond of Sudokus as I am to begin with.
My daughter spent some time on it, but got frustrated after a while because she is accustomed to being able to write trial numbers in some of the boxes in her process of ultimately figuring out the numbers. She is also not one who is truly known for her patience.
I tried it out with somewhat better success, although I have to admit I would have enjoyed it more if I was able to write in the little trial numbers as well. It's just easier that way. I played for quite awhile and found it very enjoyable. I liked its compactibility, its transportability, and the fact that there are millions of puzzle variations in this one little game.
The only real drawback I could see to the whole thing was that it was a bit difficult to see the screen. A better backlight might make it easier to view.
Other than that, it's a very fun puzzle game, good for the old noodle, and wonderful for trips in the car or on the plane, or at the cottage for a rainy day. It's a great game for the kids when you don't want them watching yet another video or movie, and would rather they do something that makes them think for a change!
I tried the game myself, and also had my daughter, age 13, try it out. Bear in mind that they are not as fond of Sudokus as I am to begin with.
My daughter spent some time on it, but got frustrated after a while because she is accustomed to being able to write trial numbers in some of the boxes in her process of ultimately figuring out the numbers. She is also not one who is truly known for her patience.
I tried it out with somewhat better success, although I have to admit I would have enjoyed it more if I was able to write in the little trial numbers as well. It's just easier that way. I played for quite awhile and found it very enjoyable. I liked its compactibility, its transportability, and the fact that there are millions of puzzle variations in this one little game.
The only real drawback I could see to the whole thing was that it was a bit difficult to see the screen. A better backlight might make it easier to view.
Other than that, it's a very fun puzzle game, good for the old noodle, and wonderful for trips in the car or on the plane, or at the cottage for a rainy day. It's a great game for the kids when you don't want them watching yet another video or movie, and would rather they do something that makes them think for a change!
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