Mario's Picross#Legacy

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File:Gameplay of Mario's Picross.png

In Mario's Picross, the player is presented with a puzzle grid (either 5 by 5, 10 by 10 or 15 by 15 spaces in size, depending on the difficulty chosen) that they must chisel at in accordance with the numerical hints provided on the upper and left-hand edges of the grid in order to reveal a picture.{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2007/04/30/learn-to-play-picross-in-five-easy-steps/|title=Learn to play Picross in five easy steps|last=Fletcher|first=JC|date=30 April 2007|website=Engadget|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407115921/https://www.engadget.com/2007/04/30/learn-to-play-picross-in-five-easy-steps/|archive-date=2018-04-07|url-status=live|access-date=6 April 2018}} In addition to the ability to chisel spaces, the player is also able to mark spaces with a cross to signify that the space is not meant to be chiseled. The numbers present outside the grid tell the player how many spaces should be chiseled within the row or column it is next to; if a single number is present on the row or column, there is that number of required chiseled spaces within said row or column, while if more than one number is present on the row or column, there are those numbers of required chiseled spaces, but separated by an undetermined amount of blank spaces.{{cite video game |title=Mario's Picross |developer=Jupiter Corporation |developer2=Ape Inc. |publisher=Nintendo |date=14 March 1995 |platform=Game Boy |scene=Tutorial stages |language=en}} The player must use these numerical hints to fill in the grid both vertically and horizontally. Similar to a crossword, when a row or column is filled in, it is able to give hints as to the nature of the rows or columns it intercepts.

The player is given thirty minutes to complete each puzzle.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2011/07/marios_picross_3dsvc|title=Mario's Picross Review|last=van Duyn|first=Marcel|date=15 July 2011|website=Nintendo Life|access-date=2 May 2018}} If the player incorrectly chisels a space, some of the remaining time is deducted; upon the player's first error, two minutes are deducted; upon the second, four minutes; upon the third, eight minutes. Mistakes succeeding the third continue deducting eight minutes. If the player runs out of time, Mario falls over, and the game is over. If the player finishes the puzzle, Mario makes a thumbs-up motion, and the final picture is shown, with a subtitle detailing what it is.{{Cite web|url=http://au.ign.com/articles/2011/08/05/marios-picross-review|title=Mario's Picross Review|last=Thomas|first=Lucas M.|date=4 August 2011|website=IGN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201041418/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/08/05/marios-picross-review|archive-date=1 February 2018|url-status=live|access-date=1 February 2018}} Additionally, a "With Hint" option is available at the beginning of the puzzle. Choosing this will start a roulette with the numbers labelling the columns and rows. The player is able to semi-actively choose a row and a column to be pre-filled in. After a puzzle is complete, its time of completion is shown on the menu, as well as whether the player used the With Hint option.

Mario's Picross features a total of 256 puzzles, separated into four modes — "Easy Picross", "Kinoko", "Star" and "Time Trial" — with 64 in each. The Easy Picross, Kinoko and Star modes all follow the gameplay pattern aforementioned (increasing in difficulty), while Time Trial mode is untimed and does not show the player where they have made mistakes. If the player scores high enough, they will be able to insert their score by using their initials, much like an arcade game. Whilst the Easy Picross, Kinoko and Star modes are playable prior to beating the game, Time Trial mode is only playable when the other three modes have all been completed. The game also allows the player to select from a number of tracks to listen to while completing puzzles.

Mario's Picross was developed by Jupiter and Ape and was published worldwide by Nintendo. The game was created in an effort to capitalize on the popularity of puzzle games in Japan. Jupiter would go on to become the developer for the majority of the Picross games present on Nintendo systems. The game was released for the Game Boy in 1995. It was also re-released on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in 2011 on 14 July in Europe, and in August for North America and Japan.

Upon the game's release, despite Nintendo's marketing through television commercials and Nintendo Power magazine,{{cite magazine |title=A Chip Off the Old Block: Mario's Picross |magazine=Nintendo Power |location=United States |publisher=Nintendo |date=April 1995}}{{cite AV media |date=April 1995 |title=Mario's Picross TV commercial |medium=Television advertisement |language=en |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oeu8ufp0Ru0 |access-date=20 February 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225173933/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oeu8ufp0Ru0 |archive-date=25 February 2018}} the game did not meet the market trends of English-speaking regions and failed there. The game, however, proved to be popular in Japan.{{Cite web|url=https://legendsoflocalization.com/is-picross-a-big-deal-in-japan/|title=Is Picross a Big Deal in Japan?|last=Mandelin|first=Clyde|date=21 October 2013|website=Legends of Localization|access-date=23 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223051546/https://legendsoflocalization.com/is-picross-a-big-deal-in-japan/|archive-date=23 February 2018}} Due to the failure of this game in English-speaking regions, future nonogram logic puzzles from Nintendo were not released in those regions until Picross DS in 2007.{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/picross-ds-review|title=Picross DS Review|last=McCarthy|first=Dave|date=9 April 2007|website=Eurogamer|access-date=21 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106072221/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/picross-ds-review|archive-date=6 January 2018}} The success of Picross DS resulted in worldwide Picross releases, as well as releases for the Virtual Console on the Nintendo 3DS and the Nintendo Classics service. The game also became a reward for the Club Nintendo loyalty program.{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-20-use-up-your-remaining-club-nintendo-stars-on-digital-3ds-wii-u-games|title=Use your remaining Club Nintendo stars on digital 3DS, Wii U games|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=20 March 2015|website=Eurogamer|access-date=21 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221161334/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-20-use-up-your-remaining-club-nintendo-stars-on-digital-3ds-wii-u-games|archive-date=21 February 2018}}

{{Video game reviews

| GR = 75.30%{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/563278-marios-picross/index.html|title=Mario's Picross|website=GameRankings|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307151039/https://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/563278-marios-picross/index.html|archive-date=2018-03-07|url-status=live|access-date=7 March 2018}}

| EGM = GB: 5.125/10

| IGN = 3DS: 8.5/10

| NLife = 3DS: 8/10

| ONM = GB: 86/100{{cite magazine|author=Paul|date=June 1995|url=https://archive.org/details/nms-33/page/34/mode/2up?q=%22Mario%27s+Picross%22|title=Mario's Picross|magazine=Nintendo Magazine System|issue=33|pages=34–35|access-date=29 June 2021}}
3DS: 8/10{{Cite journal|last=Scullion|first=Chris|date=September 2011|title=Mario's Picross|journal=Official Nintendo Magazine|volume=74|pages=96}}

| PG = 3DS: 8/10

| PO = GB: 90%{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/playerone-magazine-054/page/n79/mode/2up?q=%22Picross%22|title=Mario's Picross|language=fr|magazine=Player One|date=June 1995|issue=54|pages=82–84|access-date=29 June 2021}}

| SP = GB: 78%{{cite magazine|last=Wallace|first=Danny|date=January 1996|url=https://archive.org/details/super-play-39/page/n51/mode/2up?q=%22Mario%27s+Picross%22|title=Mario's Picross|magazine=Super Play|issue=39|page=53|access-date=29 June 2021}}

| TOT = GB: 80/100{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/total-43/page/n51/mode/2up?q=%22Kirby%27s+Avalanche%22|title=Total! Issue 43|date=July 1995|magazine=Total!|issue=43|page=53|access-date=29 June 2021}}

| VGCE = GB: 8/10{{cite magazine|last=O'Connor|first=Frank|date=May 1995|url=https://archive.org/details/Video_Games_The_Ultimate_Gaming_Magazine_Issue_76_May_1995/page/n83/mode/2up?q=%22Picross%22|title=Mario's Picross|magazine=Video Games: The Ultimate Gaming Magazine|issue=76|page=84|access-date=29 June 2021}}

}}

Mario's Picross received positive reviews upon its release. The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly criticized the game's focus on logic and reasoning instead of rapid button presses, saying it makes the game boring to play after the first few puzzles.{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: Mario's Picross|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=70|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=May 1995|page=38}} GamePro gave it a more mixed review. They criticized the repetitive music and the fact that Mario does not appear in the main graphics, but acknowledged that the game is "undeniably addicting, especially if you love numbers".{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: Mario's Picross|magazine=GamePro|issue=81|publisher=IDG|date=June 1995|page=102}} Marcel van Duyn of Nintendo Life cited the game's addictive nature, volume of puzzles and soundtrack in his review.

The reception of the Mario's Picross Virtual Console re-release, however, was more positive. Lucas M. Thomas for IGN looked on the game positively, specifically referencing its amount of puzzles as a strength.{{Cite web|url=http://au.ign.com/articles/2011/08/05/marios-picross-review|title=Mario's Picross Review|last=Thomas|first=Lucas M.|date=4 August 2011|website=IGN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201041418/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/08/05/marios-picross-review|archive-date=1 February 2018|url-status=live|access-date=1 February 2018}} Mike Rose of Pocket Gamer stated that although the game has sometimes unintuitive controls and always has the Hint system default to 'yes', the game represents the Mario series well and is a workout for the brain.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/3DS/Mario%27s+Picross/review.asp?c=31574|title=Mario's Picross (eShop)|last=Rose|first=Mike|date=21 July 2011|website=Pocket Gamer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213021738/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/3DS/Mario%27s+Picross/review.asp?c=31574|archive-date=2018-02-13|url-status=live|access-date=12 February 2018}} Andrew Brown of Nintendo World Report criticized the localization of the game and the game's attempt to fit on the small screen of the Game Boy, reasoning that Mario's Super Picross or Picross DS would be a better choice for first-time Picross players.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/recommendations/27554/please-dont-take-me-out-to-the-ball-game|title=Please Don't Take Me Out to the Ball Game|last=Brown|first=Andrew|date=22 August 2011|website=Nintendo World Report|access-date=23 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223051351/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/recommendations/27554/please-dont-take-me-out-to-the-ball-game|archive-date=23 February 2018}} Chris Scullion of Official Nintendo Magazine praised the game's use of characters from the Super Mario series, although he felt that Mario's Picross would feel like a "slight step backwards" to those who had already played other Picross games. A reviewer with Jeuxvideo.com stated that the game is a "blend of logic, drawing and Nintendo", rating the game well.{{Cite web|url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00012484-mario-s-picross-test.htm|title=Test: Mario's Picross|date=5 March 2010|website=Jeuxvideo.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408141403/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00012484-mario-s-picross-test.htm|archive-date=2018-04-08|url-status=live|access-date=7 April 2018}}

Despite a large advertising campaign by Nintendo the game failed to sell well in America and Europe, leading the game's sequels to be confined to Japan. As a result, the game is seen as something of a cult classic in English-speaking regions.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/12/column_beyond_tetrismarios_pic.php|title=Column: Beyond Tetris - Mario's Picross|last=Delgado|first=Tony|date=4 December 2006|website=GameSetWatch|access-date=23 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411025903/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/12/column_beyond_tetrismarios_pic.php|archive-date=11 April 2018}} The main criticisms aimed at the game was the size of the grids; due to the small size of the Game Boy screen, the game's puzzle grids are restricted to being just 15 by 15, when puzzles four times that size were common in other media. Game Informer ranked it as their 91st favorite game ever and their fifth favorite Game Boy game.{{cite magazine |title=Game Informer's Top 100 Games Of All Time (Circa Issue 100) |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx |magazine=Game Informer |date=2009-11-16 |access-date=2013-11-24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219152324/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx |archive-date=2016-02-19}}{{cite magazine |title=The 25 Best Game Boy Games Of All Time |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/06/24/the-25-best-game-boy-games-of-all-time.aspx |magazine=Game Informer |last=Reeves |first=Ben |date=2011-06-24 |access-date=2013-12-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419072835/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/06/24/the-25-best-game-boy-games-of-all-time.aspx |archive-date=2015-04-19}} Complex ranked the game as the 24th best Game Boy game in their list of the best Game Boy games, citing how it is a rewarding experience for those with inquisitive minds.{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2014/04/best-original-game-boy-games/marios-picross|title=Ranking the 25 Best Original Game Boy Games|last=Turner|first=Gus|date=7 April 2014|website=Complex|access-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215084347/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2014/04/best-original-game-boy-games/marios-picross|archive-date=15 February 2018}}

Whilst the game's sales were lackluster in English-speaking regions, the game succeeded enough in Japan to spawn two Japan-exclusive sequels, Mario's Super Picross for the Super Famicom and Picross 2, a direct sequel to Mario's Picross, on the Game Boy. The continued success of these games in the Japan region saw Nintendo create the Picross NP series in 1999, a Japan-exclusive series of games meant to promote other, larger games or series. These games were meant for use with the Japan-only Nintendo Power peripheral for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. There were eight instalments of this series, each one having a different theme; Pokémon,{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/577449-picross-np-vol-1/index.html|title=Picross NP Vol. 1|website=GameRankings|access-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215083919/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/577449-picross-np-vol-1/index.html|archive-date=15 February 2018}} Yoshi's Story,{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/577450-picross-np-vol-2/index.html|title=Picross NP Vol. 2|website=GameRankings|access-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215083847/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/577450-picross-np-vol-2/index.html|archive-date=15 February 2018}} Kirby,{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/577451-picross-np-vol-3/index.html|title=Picross NP Vol. 3|website=GameRankings|access-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025116/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/577451-picross-np-vol-3/index.html|archive-date=16 February 2018}} Star Fox 64,{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/577452-picross-np-vol-4/index.html|title=Picross NP Vol. 4|website=GameRankings|access-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025118/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/577452-picross-np-vol-4/index.html|archive-date=16 February 2018}} The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time,{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/577453-picross-np-vol-5/index.html|title=Picross NP Vol. 5|website=GameRankings|access-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215083912/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/577453-picross-np-vol-5/index.html|archive-date=15 February 2018}} Super Mario 64,{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/577454-picross-np-vol-6/index.html|title=Picross NP Vol. 6|website=GameRankings|access-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025120/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/577454-picross-np-vol-6/index.html|archive-date=16 February 2018}} Wario Land II{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/577455-picross-np-vol-7/index.html|title=Picross NP Vol. 7|website=GameRankings|access-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215083845/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/577455-picross-np-vol-7/index.html|archive-date=15 February 2018}} and Donkey Kong Country,{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/578882-picross-np-vol-8/index.html|title=Picross NP Vol. 8|website=GameRankings|access-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215083914/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/578882-picross-np-vol-8/index.html|archive-date=15 February 2018}} respectively. The series ran from 1999 to 2000.

The series had a hiatus until 2007, when Picross DS for the Nintendo DS was released worldwide. Picross DS was quite well-received in comparison to Mario's Picross upon its release.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/picross-ds/critic-reviews/?platform=ds|title=Picross DS|date=30 July 2007|website=Metacritic|access-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115230513/http://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/picross-ds|archive-date=15 January 2018}} This success led to Nintendo Picross games becoming a worldwide series, with games appearing on future iterations of Nintendo handhelds, including Picross 3D, a 3D re-imagining of traditional Picross, the Picross e series, on Nintendo 3DS, and Picross S, on Nintendo Switch.{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-09-10-picross-e-review|title=Picross E Review|last=Walker|first=John|date=10 September 2012|website=Eurogamer|access-date=21 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116131256/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-09-10-picross-e-review |archive-date=16 November 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-09-20-puzzle-favourite-picross-headed-to-nintendo-switch|title=Puzzle favourite Picross headed to Nintendo Switch|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=20 September 2017|website=Eurogamer|access-date=21 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221161718/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-09-20-puzzle-favourite-picross-headed-to-nintendo-switch|archive-date=21 February 2018}} Mario's Picross was re-released on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console on July 14, 2011.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-store-update-marios-picross/1100-6327356/|title=Nintendo Store Update: Mario's Picross|last=Sinclair|first=Brendan|date=4 August 2011|website=GameSpot|access-date=16 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216210053/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-store-update-marios-picross/1100-6327356/|archive-date=16 February 2018}} Being the original iteration of the series, other Mario video games have referenced Picross. Picross DS features downloadable puzzles taken from Mario's Picross.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2007/06/nintendo-weekly/|title=Nintendo: Weekly Puzzle Downloads for Picross DS|last=Kohler|first=Chris|date=21 June 2007|magazine=Wired|access-date=16 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216144018/https://www.wired.com/2007/06/nintendo-weekly/|archive-date=16 February 2018}} The explorer attire Mario wears both in-game and in promotional material makes a cameo appearance in Super Mario Odyssey as an unlockable costume Mario is able to wear.{{Cite news|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/super-mario-odyssey-easter-eggs-and-secrets-guide/|title=All the Super Mario Odyssey Easter eggs and secrets you might have missed|last=Loveridge|first=Sam|date=10 November 2017|work=GamesRadar|access-date=28 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118122520/http://www.gamesradar.com/super-mario-odyssey-easter-eggs-and-secrets-guide/|archive-date=18 January 2018}}

{{notes}}

{{reflist}}

{{Portal|Video games|1990s}}

• {{Official website|http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/dmg/apcj/index.html}} {{in lang|ja}}
• [https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/marios-picross-3ds/ Official Nintendo 3DS eShop page]
• {{moby game|id=/marios-picross|name=Mario's Picross}}

{{Mario puzzle games}}

{{Picross}}

Category:1995 video games

Category:Ape Inc. games

Category:Game Boy games

Category:Jupiter (company) games

Category:Mario puzzle games

Category:Nintendo Classics games

Category:Nonograms

Category:Picross (video game series)

Category:Puzzle video games

Category:Single-player video games

Category:Video games developed in Japan

Category:Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS

Category:Virtual Console games