Once I found out that Japan has an exclusive Picross game, I was unreasonably angry. I love Picross so much, especially instalments in the DS lineage. I also love Nintendo and Nintendo-related crossover games. Such an intersection of my interests will never be available to me, just because I’m not part of the superior Japanese race with their superior Club Nintendo program. That’s how I felt.

Fortunately for me, my sister-in-law who lives in Japan decided to buy a 3DS, got the game, and finished it before she visited us. So at least I could see all the puzzles they included. I’m quite impressed, although it’s mostly the standard EAD stuff, lots of Mario and Zelda. Some nice surprises though and some weird Nintendo history hardware stuff, like the love tester, and even their head office.

It’s a little shorter than the e-series of Picross games, but the Nintendo-y-ness makes up for it. My salty fanboy tears have dried up now that I’ve at least seen it. And since coverage is sparse, I hope you too can appreciate seeing all this game has to offer… people that aren’t us.

Oh, by the way, it’s called Club Nintendo Picross and it’s been available from the Japanese Club Nintendo rewards program since 2012 for 80 coins.