Pokémon Picross (GBC): Difference between revisions
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==Gameplay== | ==Gameplay== | ||
Pokémon Picross is a nonogram puzzle game where players are presented with a grid of squares, and tasked with using a hammer and chisel to punch out the correct squares to reveal a solution image. Number clues are displayed on the outer edges of the grid's rows and columns, offering information as to how many squares should be punched out per row or column. Each square can be punched out, revealing a piece of the image beneath; or marked with an X, indicating that the square should not be punched out. Once all of the correct squares have been punched out (marking all "X" squares is not necessary), the puzzle will be considered complete - the solution image will be zoomed out, gain color, and display its name. However, unlike traditional nonogram puzzles, the punched-out squares do not themselves form an image - instead, they reveal a layer below the grid that contains the outline of the image. | |||
===Puzzles=== | |||
At the start of a puzzle, the player is offered a hint - if they accept it, they then must time a button press to determine one row and one column of squares that will each have their solutions revealed. After this or declining the hint, the puzzle will begin a countdown timer depending on its size: | |||
* 10x10 puzzle: 20 minutes | |||
* 15x15 puzzle: 30 minutes | |||
* 20x20 puzzle: 70 minutes | |||
Additional hints can be requested from the pause menu, however each will deduct 5 minutes from the puzzle's timer. | |||
The game was intended to work with the [[Game Boy Printer]]. | If a square is incorrectly punched out, it will be automatically corrected to an X, but time will be deducted from the puzzle's timer. The time penalty will increase with the amount of mistakes in a single puzzle attempt: | ||
* First mistake: -1 minute | |||
* Second mistake: -2 minutes | |||
* Third mistake: -4 minutes | |||
* Fourth mistake and onwards: -8 minutes | |||
However, squares incorrectly marked with an X will not be corrected, and will not incur a time penalty. | |||
If a puzzle's timer reaches zero, whether naturally or through penalties, the attempt is considered a failure and the player will need to try the puzzle again from scratch. | |||
A tutorial on puzzle mechanics is available in the "Tutorial" option in the game's main menu, and is narrated by [[Professor Oak]]. | |||
===Map=== | |||
Upon completing a puzzle, it will be marked with a [[Poké Ball]] icon on the map screen. If the puzzle was completed within the stage's specific "par time", then it will be marked with a Great Ball instead. If the remaining time is still within this range, the puzzle's timer will use white text; if the par period has passed, the timer will play a sound cue and then switch to black text. | |||
Each puzzle in the game represents a Pokémon, excluding area 0's puzzles, which represent items or objects. Completing a Pokémon's puzzle will add them to the Pokédex, where their completed image can be viewed, their cry can be played, and their puzzle can be retried. Pokémon whose stages have been completed with a Great Ball will display a grayscale Poké Ball icon next to their name. | |||
The game is divided into 11 areas, each containing 15 puzzles. The first 14 puzzles in each area may be attempted in any order, but the 15th puzzle can only be played once at least 8 different puzzles in that area have been marked with a Great Ball. | |||
Area 0 is sectioned off in the "Easy Picross" option in the game's main menu, and features a tutorial from [[Misty]] regarding the map's mechanics. | |||
Areas 1-10 are located in the "Pokémon Picross" option and must be completed in sequence. To advance to the next area, at least 8 puzzles in the current area must be completed. | |||
===Partner Pokémon=== | |||
The player's current partner Pokémon will follow them on the map screen, as well as appear in the top-left of the screen during 10x10 and 15x15 puzzles, reacting to player actions such as making a mistake or running out of time. Each partner Pokémon also changes the background music and border color when playing puzzles. | |||
The player starts with {{P|Pikachu}} as their partner Pokémon, and can obtain several others as they progress through the game's areas: {{P|Bulbasaur}}, {{P|Charmander}}, {{P|Squirtle}}, {{P|Jigglypuff}}, and {{P|Clefairy}}. | |||
==Compatibility== | |||
The game was intended to work with the [[Game Boy Printer]], as there is an option to print out Pokédex entry images. | |||
The game also has a [[Super Game Boy]] border. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
Revision as of 11:32, 11 February 2023
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The subject of this article has no official English name. The name currently in use is a fan translation of the Japanese name. |
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This article does not yet meet the quality standards of Bulbapedia. Please feel free to edit this article to make it conform to Bulbapedia norms and conventions. |
(Japanese: ポケモンピクロス Pokémon Picross) is a puzzle game for the Game Boy and Game Boy Color. A picross, from picture and crossword, is a genre of puzzle games, also known as a nonogram. It was developed by Jupiter Corporation.
While it was announced in various game magazines in Spring 1999, the game never officially released. In September 2020, a ROM of the game was posted online.
Gameplay
Pokémon Picross is a nonogram puzzle game where players are presented with a grid of squares, and tasked with using a hammer and chisel to punch out the correct squares to reveal a solution image. Number clues are displayed on the outer edges of the grid's rows and columns, offering information as to how many squares should be punched out per row or column. Each square can be punched out, revealing a piece of the image beneath; or marked with an X, indicating that the square should not be punched out. Once all of the correct squares have been punched out (marking all "X" squares is not necessary), the puzzle will be considered complete - the solution image will be zoomed out, gain color, and display its name. However, unlike traditional nonogram puzzles, the punched-out squares do not themselves form an image - instead, they reveal a layer below the grid that contains the outline of the image.
Puzzles
At the start of a puzzle, the player is offered a hint - if they accept it, they then must time a button press to determine one row and one column of squares that will each have their solutions revealed. After this or declining the hint, the puzzle will begin a countdown timer depending on its size:
- 10x10 puzzle: 20 minutes
- 15x15 puzzle: 30 minutes
- 20x20 puzzle: 70 minutes
Additional hints can be requested from the pause menu, however each will deduct 5 minutes from the puzzle's timer.
If a square is incorrectly punched out, it will be automatically corrected to an X, but time will be deducted from the puzzle's timer. The time penalty will increase with the amount of mistakes in a single puzzle attempt:
- First mistake: -1 minute
- Second mistake: -2 minutes
- Third mistake: -4 minutes
- Fourth mistake and onwards: -8 minutes
However, squares incorrectly marked with an X will not be corrected, and will not incur a time penalty.
If a puzzle's timer reaches zero, whether naturally or through penalties, the attempt is considered a failure and the player will need to try the puzzle again from scratch.
A tutorial on puzzle mechanics is available in the "Tutorial" option in the game's main menu, and is narrated by Professor Oak.
Map
Upon completing a puzzle, it will be marked with a Poké Ball icon on the map screen. If the puzzle was completed within the stage's specific "par time", then it will be marked with a Great Ball instead. If the remaining time is still within this range, the puzzle's timer will use white text; if the par period has passed, the timer will play a sound cue and then switch to black text.
Each puzzle in the game represents a Pokémon, excluding area 0's puzzles, which represent items or objects. Completing a Pokémon's puzzle will add them to the Pokédex, where their completed image can be viewed, their cry can be played, and their puzzle can be retried. Pokémon whose stages have been completed with a Great Ball will display a grayscale Poké Ball icon next to their name.
The game is divided into 11 areas, each containing 15 puzzles. The first 14 puzzles in each area may be attempted in any order, but the 15th puzzle can only be played once at least 8 different puzzles in that area have been marked with a Great Ball.
Area 0 is sectioned off in the "Easy Picross" option in the game's main menu, and features a tutorial from Misty regarding the map's mechanics.
Areas 1-10 are located in the "Pokémon Picross" option and must be completed in sequence. To advance to the next area, at least 8 puzzles in the current area must be completed.
Partner Pokémon
The player's current partner Pokémon will follow them on the map screen, as well as appear in the top-left of the screen during 10x10 and 15x15 puzzles, reacting to player actions such as making a mistake or running out of time. Each partner Pokémon also changes the background music and border color when playing puzzles.
The player starts with Pikachu as their partner Pokémon, and can obtain several others as they progress through the game's areas: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Jigglypuff, and Clefairy.
Compatibility
The game was intended to work with the Game Boy Printer, as there is an option to print out Pokédex entry images.
The game also has a Super Game Boy border.
History
Though Pokémon Picross was never officially released, the SNES game Picross NP Vol. 1 released in 1999 included 12 Pokémon puzzles.
The international versions of Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver featured a game similar to picross at the Goldenrod Game Corner, Voltorb Flip.
Pokémon Picross, a freemium game for the Nintendo 3DS also developed by Jupiter Corporation, was released on the Nintendo eShop in December 2015.
Gallery
Gameplay
Magazine Pages
External links
Some magazines featuring Pokémon Picross:
- CoroCoro - May 1999 issue (published on 15 April, 1999)
- CoroCoro - June 1999 issue (published on 15 May, 1999)
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This article is part of Project Sidegames, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon Sidegames. |
