Quick start-and-go games are definitely one of the DS’s fortes, and Crosswords DS is no exception.
Crosswords DS, as you may have already figured out, is a casual crosswords game. There are word search and anagram puzzles included as well.
There’s no shortage of puzzles, but unfortunately you can only play the easy and medium levels to start. As an adult, these were way too easy and it was a chore to go through the easy level to unlock the more challenging puzzles. The easy puzzles can be done in about 1-2 minutes, and the medium levels take about 6-7 minutes. There are also replicated clues & words, which make it even simpler.
The “help” option, which tells you if the letter you enter is correct, can only be turned off starting on medium. I chose to turn it off simply because sometimes the DS reads my handwriting wrong, and then entered the wrong letter. Plus, if you make a spelling error, having the help option off will force you to find the mistake on your own. There are also a limited number of hints for each puzzle, which vary from giving you a new clue, a letter in the word and the entire word. Each hint penalizes you through the timer, and takes away hint points.
Recommendation:
This isn’t a “must have”, but it’s a fun, quick game and it is only $20, which makes it a little more attractive to buy. Since there is no story mode, it’s a game you can pick up and play any time, and not forget what was going on before you set it down for five months. Overall, it’s a decent game if you only have a few minutes here and there to play. This isn’t a game you are going to spend multiple hours playing, but it is good in about 30 minute increments.
System: Nintendo DS
Developer: Nuevo Retro Games
Publisher: Nintendo
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All reviews are based on final retail code unless otherwise noted.
February 2nd, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Crosswords upset me. Where is Scrabble DS?!
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:24 pm
I am not a huge crossword fan, but I think I am going to get my mother-in-law a DS at some point. She would love this along with some Tetris. I already got her excited about Personal Trainer Cooking!
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:34 pm
You might want to get her the USA Today or New York Times version. This one was way too easy.
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:10 am
YES!! Yet another way to procrastinate and waste time on my DS!!
But in truth, I can’t live without my DS on my travels. Sooo useful being on a plane once a week…
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:37 am
I would kill for Scrabble DS!
February 4th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
That’s awesome. I want a DS.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Hmm… Castlevania or this… it’s a tough decision…