I’ll Have a Blue(tooth) Christmas (SuDoKu)

Christmas-Sudoku-Banner

Thanks to 99Games, it’s Christmas time in the land of SuDoKu, where the familiar numbers have been replaced with icons of the festive season (the numbers are still available for you ScroogeDoKus out there). In Christmas SuDoKu [iTunes $1.99], the change to pictures adds some challenge since it is much easier to determine which number is missing in a series, whereas figuring out that the Candy Cane or the Gingerbread Man is the item you’re missing takes a little more time. Gameplay is straightforward SuDoKu; Santa flies overhead and sprinkles some items onto the board to start you off (how many is based on the difficulty level) and you then have to figure out where the rest go according to three simple rules: an item may only appear once in each row, column and nine slot grouping.

CS1   CS5

If you’re a SuDoKu novice, you can earn a few hints which can be redeemed to place a random item on the board and also consult the suggestions for each open spot. Holiday music plays in the background (this can thankfully be turned off after it has worn out its welcome).

But, what’s that you say? You want to challenge a friend who is in the same room? The game has you covered with the somewhat strangely named "Tug-a-friend", which allows you to play against someone over bluetooth. I unwisely challenged my wife, who is like a 9th degree SuDoKu black belt. The only time I beat her was when she left the room for a few minutes and I feverishly kept at the puzzle while she was gone (yes, in many cultures this would be considered cheating).

After you’ve exhausted the SuDoKu portions of the app, you will probably say to yourself "I am in such a festive mood, I wish I could send someone a little e-postcard letting them know just how great this game is." Again, the game has you covered with the somewhat less strangely named "Hug-a-friend". You can build a nice little scene of a decorated tree and then send it to your friend (or you can build the kind of minimalist scene that I did, entitled Frosty Balls).

CS3   CS4

If you like SuDoKu, you’ll also like this variant. If you’ve never played SuDoKu before, this app is a good introduction.

December 5, 2009 | Filed Under anti-KRAPPS, Games 

Comments

  • Matthew Frederick

    Awesome!

  • 99Games

    Thanks a lot for such a great review! You've rightly said that Sudoku lovers will definitely enjoy Christmas Sudoku and its a great introduction to the game for those new to it. Besides being fun, the game has a unique design that will surely get you into the holiday spirit! Enjoy this little Christmas treat!
    Happy holidays! 🙂

  • 99Games

    Thanks a lot for such a great review! You've rightly said that Sudoku lovers will definitely enjoy Christmas Sudoku and its a great introduction to the game for those new to it. Besides being fun, the game has a unique design that will surely get you into the holiday spirit! Enjoy this little Christmas treat!
    Happy holidays! 🙂