2008 · Puzzle · Quiz

Crosswords DS

Nintendo exclusive

Crosswords DS supports up to four different players, and features two basic modes - Training and Main Game. The main game includes three classifications of puzzles - Crosswords, Word Searches, and Anagrams. The game uses similar handwriting mechanics to solve the puzzles as the popular Brain Age series of video games, as well as requiring the player to hold the Nintendo DS like a book. All three puzzles have varying difficulty levels, all of them featuring unlockable puzzles and difficulty levels.

Released: 5 May 2008
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Genres: Puzzle Quiz
Developers: —
Publishers: Nintendo
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: First person
Themes: Educational
Country: United States
Age ratings: PEGI 3 ESRB E CLASS_IND L ACB G
Languages: English, French, German, Italian

About

Crosswords DS (stylized as CrossworDS and known as Nintendo Presents: Crossword Collection in PAL regions) is a puzzle video game developed by American studio Nuevo Retro games and released by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console. It was previously released in Australia as CrossworDS but a new OFLC entry confirmed that Nintendo Australia re-released it with a European localization. Crosswords DS features over 1,000 crossword puzzles that the player solves by using the stylus. Despite the title, it also features word search puzzles and anagram puzzles.

It makes use of similar handwriting mechanics that the Brain Age titles make use of. Crosswords DS is included in the Touch! Generations series of titles, which includes such popular games as Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day! and Nintendogs.

Keywords

edutainment
word game
crossword puzzles

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Crosswords DS supports up to four players, and features two basic modes - Training and Main Game. The main game includes three classifications of puzzles - Crosswords, Word Searches, and Anagrams. The game uses similar handwriting mechanics to solve the puzzles as the popular Brain Age series of video games, as well as requiring the player to hold the Nintendo DS like a book. All three puzzles have varying difficulty levels, all of them featuring unlockable puzzles and difficulty levels.

The crossword puzzle is displayed on the touch screen and players tap tiles with the stylus to enlarge them, and then proceed to write in the desired letter. If a correct letter is written, it appears in black, and if an incorrect letter is written it appears in red. On higher difficulties, the player has the option to do the puzzle without the game showing if the letter is correct or not. A player can erase a letter or simply draw over it.

Reception

Crosswords DS received average reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. Matt Casamassina of IGN cited the number of crossword puzzles available and the control scheme as highlights, as well as the low price of the game. Some criticisms were the lack of any "bells and whistles" or downloadable content.

The game was awarded the Best Puzzle Game on the Nintendo DS in IGN's 2008 video game awards.