Nonograms, also known as Griddlers, Paint by Numbers, or Picross, are picture logic puzzles that were first introduced by Non Ishida, a Japanese graphics editor in the year 1987.
About Nonograms
Non Ishida contested at a competition in Tokyo to display a grid image with skyscraper lights that could be turned on and off to complete the picture. The idea of nonograms was born out of this victory – Non Ishida initially managed to get three similar concept puzzles published in a magazine under the name of Window Art Puzzles. But it was in 1990 when Non Ishida met James James Dalgety, an English puzzle designer, and collector, that Nonogram got its name and was ready to be commercialized out of Japan. The success story of Nonograms took off when these were popularized by The Telegraph in 1993 as regular weekly puzzles. In this very year, Non Ishida announced a book of Nonograms, and since then, there’s no looking back.
Video Game Versions
In 1995, the craze eventually got bigger and better. Nintendo picked up this puzzle and introduced it on the electronic platform. It released two Picross titles for Game Boy and nine for Super Famicom in Japan. Mario’s Picross for the Game Boy was the only one to later release outside Japan consisting of larger puzzles, timed levels, and penalty on hints or mistakes.
In 1996, Logic Pro was released by Deniam Corp, followed by Picross DS for portable systems and Picross 2 in 2007, Picross 3D in 2009, Jagex in 2011, Paint it Back and Picross e in 2013, Picross e4 in 2014, Pokémon Picross in 2015, and Pictopix in 2017.
Not just these, several other video game developers announced their different video game versions of nonograms for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo, and iOS, making it a revolution that still holds a significant place in the hearts and minds of video game players.
Concept of Nonograms
The main objective of nonograms is to unleash the hidden pixel image with the help of the numerical clues listed outside the grid. It’s often a black and white puzzle, but it can also be in color to offer a better visual appeal and more challenging levels.
The digits outside give you a head start and help complete the entire puzzle. It’s a game that tests your reasoning abilities. If you like Sudoku and minesweeper, you’ll also like picross.
Basically, the numbers tell you what cells on the grid you need to fill and which ones are to be left blank (or be crossed off). If there are multiple clues, at least one cell space is left in between those. You’re always suggested to target larger numbers first and then move your way forward.
Easy levels usually have a 5×5 board for comfortable gaming. However, 9×9 or 10×10 are standard grids for Medium levels and even greater grids for complex challenges. Nonogram is a classic favorite, and video games totally transformed its presence. Today you can find so many exciting variants online. Try a picross game yourself, and you’ll know what fun it is!