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Good sudoku title

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 01, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This is a decent addition to a puzzle game/sudoku lover's ds library. The game features over 400 puzzles of varying levels (4 difficulty settings) that the gamemakers say are handpicked.

For those already familiar with playing sudoku on their ds, certain similarities carry across to this title. Your games will be timed, allowing you to go back and improve on times for previously completed puzzles. You are able to write the numbers out on the stylus -- and this game seems slightly more intuitive at deciphering what number you are scribbling out. However, you can also just choose to tap the number on a numberpad. In this option, you have the added help of being able to see numbers greyed out when you have added 9 of them to the puzzle. You will be able to save and resume puzzles once again as well.

You are able to use temp numbers in Gridmaster, though you are given 4 slots per space instead of Brain Age's 9. (Not that you really need more than 4 but visually you might have found it a little easier to have designated spots for numbers.) Adding and removing temp numbers, particularly the latter, seem more awkward though.

Other features give the game little perks though including background music, collecting 'stars' to unlock bonus puzzles, and 'guidelines' which can be toggled on/off that highlight the column, row, and 3x3 block you are using.

All in all, it's an enjoyable approach to doing sudoku in a handheld way. Certain things could be better, such as clearing out temp numbers with more ease or supplying additional options with music volumes. The sudoku lovers should find some enjoyment easily.

Fun With No Fluff!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 19, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Sudoku in a video game should be straight forward, easy to grasp controls, and a font that's pleasant to look at at. Sudoku Gridmaster has all of this. Plus you can test to see where you rank (ie bronze, silver, gold, platinum) after completing a certain number of puzzles in Normal or Hard mode. This version is MUCH better than Platinum Sudoku in my opinion, even though there are only 400 puzzles here. The puzzles are similar to the Nikoli versions Original Sudoku. I highly recommend this game.

wow

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 27
Date: August 26, 2006
Author: Amazon User

u guys are so lazy. u all complain about how hard it is to use it. just tap the box to change the number. i know how hard that must be for u. what a sad, sad comentary on america's society.

Weak user-interface disappoints

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: July 04, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Riding on the Sudoku wave of popularity, I was eagerly waiting for this product to hit the shelves. Sorry to say, but I think it's a wipe-out. The puzzles are fine, and I like the high-lighted elements when you tap and double-tap the cells, but I found the handwritten input to be too unreliable. Fortunately, you can use a tap number pad.
I'm frustrated by only having 4 positions for 'hints', sometimes there are more. But why doesn't it clear out the 'hints' when you determine the cells value. That clutters up the display that you're working from and they're a pain to clear individually. (Granted the upper display shows the puzzle without any 'hints', but...)

Final rant on the display, it could have been larger. Why waste valuable screen real-estate on frames and borders when it's at a premium, especially when trying to get a full sudoku grid displayed. Brain-Age does a better job here. Also, I wish the designers could have come up with something useful for the ABXY buttons instead of duplicating the actions of the + control.

I'll not complain about the 'music' since I can simply zero the volume.

Coming on the heels of Brain-Age and marketed to a similar audience, Nintendo would have been better off starting with the Sudoku implementation in Brain-Age and enhancing it with some of the features this does offer. And please, if future games use handwriting recognition, make sure they're consistent.

I wish I wasn't considering taking mine to a store that buys/sells used games while it might be worth doing so.

Great puzzles, poor UI

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: July 06, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I agree fully with review by "Lego Kid-within" on the User Interface. Having to erase prior guesses is annoying. Even more frustrating is that the game does not allow more than one user to save their game at a time (even Brain Age allows four different user names). As such, if someone else wants to try it, they must either play my currently saved game or delete it to start a new game. It does have tons of puzzles though.

THIS IS SO FUN!!!!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: August 09, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I REALLY like this game. Sure, it isn't as good as Brain Age, but it is still really fun and the puzzles are GREAT!! I don't bother writing my answers. I just use the numbers. It's much easier. From what I've heard, it's better than the other Sudokus on the market and very convenient when waiting at the airport or doctor's office. You can't please everyone, but they did a pretty decent job. I actually love the version on my phone of all places. It's simple and let's you focus on the game.
:) HAPPY SUDOKUING!!!!!

I LOVE Sudoku Gridmaster

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: August 28, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This is the most addictive Sudoku DS game that I own (and I have them all). I only wish they would come out with a second edition.
Being able to highlight blocks and numbers really helps my playing.
I have found that playing Sudoku Gridmaster has honed my overall playing skills. When I go back to Brain Age, I can solve puzzles more easily and efficiently as a result of playing Gridmaster.
I can barely put it down. I'm almost finished solving ALL the skill levels and I'm planning on starting over again.
Highly recommend this game.
Carol

Better interface than most

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: December 18, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I would have to say that given all of the sudoku games being produced, this one is second easiest to play (other than Brain Age). But then again, you don't have to go through the Brain Age interface to get to play sudoku.
Would be better with random puzzle generation, as once you've beaten them all you can only better your times or reset the whole thing.
I play it all the time - it will stay in my game library!

shawmut

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 3 / 9
Date: August 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

same as the other 1 star reviews. if you have not used Brain Age you might think it is ok, if you have, forget it!

What a disappointment

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: July 29, 2006
Author: Amazon User

WORST OF ALL, THERE ISN'T EVEN ROOM TO PUT ALL THE "PENCILMARK/HINTS." WHAT ARE THESE PEOPLE THINKING? LAME, LAME, LAME. This game's layout, logistics and overall execution are just plain poor. Not enough room for hints, too hard to see, too small display. I really enjoy the Brain Age version, and assumed that this would be a least somewhat similar. There are so many electronic sudoku versions available, that there's no excuse for this one to have so much that is difficult and counter intuitive. Don't waste your $$.

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