Nearly as addictive as Dooyoo (Sudoku Addiction)

Member Name: yackers1

Product:	Sudoku Addiction
Date:	20/02/09 (413 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A great way of brain training

Disadvantages: So addictive that I can 'waste' many hours completing the puzzles

****What is it?****

I'm sure most of you are aware of sudoku and what it is but for those who don't...... sudoku is a logic based puzzle that consists of a 9 x 9 square grid that is further divided in to 3 x 3 boxes. The objective is to have each separate line containing the numbers 1 - 9 only once.

There are other variants, including a 12 x 12 grid that is broken down in to 4 x 3 boxes with the objective of filling in the numbers from 1 - 12 only once. In my opinion this is over the top and not that enjoyable.

To help you out some of the squares will be filled in for you and the amount and combination will depend upon the complexity of the puzzle, i.e. whether it is easy medium or hard.

****History****

The sudoku we know today was invented by an American architect, Howard Garns, back in 1979. It was originally published by Dell Magazines as "Number Place".

In 1986 Nikoli, a Japanese publication, renamed it sudoku (meaning single number) and released it to the Japanese public where it became very popular. Sudoku became an international phenomenon in 2005 resulting in a sudoku world championship tournament.

****How I found it****

Sudoku puzzles are in loads of publications from journals to newspapers to puzzle books that are specifically dedicated to this type of puzzle. I never really understood the concept of it and, to be totally honest, I couldn't be bothered to learn.

It was during a rainy evening playing Brain Training on the DS that made me have a go at Sudoku and I actually learned what was going on. The version of the DS is easy since there is a mode that lets you know if the number you put in any box is wrong and you get 3 attempts. This not only prevents you from making a mistake and carrying on until you happen to discover it (and, in my experience this is usually once most of the puzzle is complete) but it also makes it easier for those situations whereby the box is going to contain one of two figures and you can make a guess and get it right, or use up one of your 'mistake turns'.

I found myself getting hooked on the DS version, although I was still using the 'cheat' mode. I had still yet to complete a paper version of the puzzle, but whilst on holiday back in October 2008 my other half bought me a Sudoku puzzle book at Stanstead airport for some in flight and poolside entertainment.

During the week away I spent hours and hours completing the puzzles. It is quite sad really but since it was a 'kick back and relax' week where we would be lounging around it did provide a lot of entertainment.

****Paper Versions****

Sudoku puzzles are now included in loads of different magazines and newspapers (as 'break time' puzzles) as well as in specialised puzzle books that are dedicated solely to the Sudoku puzzle.

My personal favourites are "Simply Sudoku" and "Sudoku Selection" and a single copy of these costs £1.99 and £0.99 respectively, although if you subscribe to Simply Sudoku you can get 13 issues for £20.70 (A bargain £1.59 (including delivery to your door) per copy). Each book contains around 150 different puzzles that range from easy, medium and hard. These provide hours of entertainment and represent great value for money.

The books mentioned above contain 9 x 9 grids only. They do not contain any other variants, such as the 12 x 12 grid and the like, which is good in my opinion. I am a great fan of the original 9 x 9 set up and do not enjoy the number of variants that are available. If it isn't broke then there is no need to fix it and the 9 x 9 grid is fine.

****Electronic versions****

I discovered the delights of Sudoku through the mini games on Brain Training for the DS, although there are many different games available, such as:

i) Essential Sudoku for the DS - £16.95 (excluding P&P) from Amazon*
ii) Sudoku Master for the DS - £17.95 (excluding P&P) from Amazon*
iii) Go! Sudoku for the PSP - £9.99 (excluding P&P) from Amazon*

I have played the Essential Sudoku for the DS and did not enjoy it. I found it so boring that I have not even bothered to write a review about it.

After a bit of Internet research I find it strange that there doesn't appear to be a Sudoku game for the Playstation, Wii or Xbox and that it is only available for the handheld and portable consoles.

If you do not own a DS or a PSP then there are stand-alone electronic Sudoku units available, such as:

i) Carol Vorderman's Sudoku Touch Screen by Character options - £19.56 (excluding P&P) from Amazon*
ii) Touch Screen Sudoku by Okera - £18.99 (excluding P&P) from Amazon*

The above lists are not exhaustive and there are other alternatives around. If you are thinking of going down the electronic route then I would highly recommend carrying out some research to ensure that you are getting the best product at the best price.

I find that Sudoku on electronic formats are easier as they contain the 'cheat' that lets you know if you go wrong, although most games will let you turn this feature off there are some games that do not.

I also find it quite difficult to focus on Sudoku puzzles on electronic devices because of the small screen size. Whilst there is the option of enlarging a single cell to correctly write the number you need to be able to see the full 9 x 9 grid to complete the puzzle efficiently.

* The prices and availability quoted are correct at the time of writing and are likely to change.

****Handy hints for Sudoku****

There is a definite knack required when completing Sudoku puzzles and to be successful you must get in the zone. There is nothing more frustrating than going wrong (and you will not know about it until other parts of the grid require completing and you find you have duplicate numbers).

A few hints, based on my relatively short time being a Sudoku fan are as follows:

i) Sudoku puzzles are based on logic. You do not need to guess any of the numbers to solve the puzzles.
ii) A good place to start is where there is a group of numbers together
iii) Lightly pencil the numbers in to the grid, unless you are certain that you are right
iv) It is sometimes helpful to pencil in the possibilities. For example if you know 7 numbers in a row of 9 then the two unused numbers must be the ones to fill in the two empty spaces. In those situations a pencil note may serve as a handy reminder of the options open to you.

****Conclusion****

I find Sudoku puzzles really, really addictive although I now only complete paper versions. I am amazed that a 9 x 9 partially completed grid of numbers can keep me amused for so many hours.

My addiction is now so bad that I now repeat particular puzzles to make sure that I am improving. To do this I buy two of the same puzzle book and time myself to see how long it takes to complete each puzzle. The actual time taken is noted next to each puzzle. I will then leave the completed book, plus the clean copy, on the bookshelf for a few months and move on to another book or two. I will then repeat the puzzles (in the clean) book and compare the time taken to the original copy. How sad is that?

Brain training is highly recommended, and thanks to the Nintendo DS and its popularity through the extensive marketing campaign, many people now keep their brains active through puzzles. Sudoku is a great way of doing this and, in my opinion, the best way.

Summary: A good way to kill a few hours