Nikoli's Pencil Puzzle
Common Sense says
- Nintendo 3DS
- $29.99
- 2011
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Nikoli's Pencil Puzzle is a collection of five number-themed puzzle challenges. In addition to Sudoku, there are puzzles that get players to add and subtract numbers in creative and mind-bending ways. The puzzles are designed to hone players' aptitude and critical thinking rather than any knowledge of complex mathematical functions. As such, the game should be accessible to most players with only the most basic math skills, but it can end up being a challenge for any age.
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What's it about?
NIKOLI'S PENCIL PUZZLE is a collection of five number-themed puzzles, ranging from the well-known Sudoku puzzle to more creative, and at times, more challenging exercises like getting from point A to point B down a winding path using a certain number of steps. Although numbers play a key role in every puzzle mini-game, players do not need anything more advanced than a basic understanding of addition and subtraction to understand them. The puzzles are more about testing cognitive thinking, trial-and-error, and logical reasoning skills.
Is it any good?
Nikoli's Pencil Puzzle stands strongly as a fun, creative puzzle game. The puzzles presented to players are not the typical fare, and as such provide a fun and captivating experience to even the most veteran puzzle gamers. That being said, the selection of puzzles is limited and because many of them have specific and distinct solutions, once the puzzles are done, they're done.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the use of math and numbers in this game. When do you use your math skills in real life?
Which puzzle is your favorite and why? Which puzzle do you struggle with the most?
Does playing math games like this one make learning more fun?
Game details
- Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
- Price: $29.99
- Available online? Not available online
- Developer: Konami
- Release date: October 25, 2011
- Genre: Puzzle
- ESRB rating: E for No Descriptors
For kids who love mind-challenging games
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.