Game Boy · 1995
Mario's Picross
Mario's Picross turns the Picross nonogram format into a steady, single-player logic game where players chisel grid cells to reveal hidden Mario-themed pictures.
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Format
- Cartridge
- Genre
- puzzle video game
- Released
- 1995
01
Overview
The game presents numbered row and column clues that describe how many consecutive cells in each line should be filled. Players use those clues to determine which squares belong to the picture and which should be left empty, building the image one deduction at a time. The game is organized into three difficulty courses, with the highest course becoming available after the middle course is completed.
02
Why it matters
Mario's Picross brought the Picross puzzle format to the Mario brand and helped establish a franchise that continued across multiple Nintendo systems. It also remains a practical example of how Nintendo adapted established puzzle mechanics to its character-driven lineup.
03
The physical edition
A typical complete copy should include the cartridge and the original box, with packaging contents and cover art varying by region. Some copies may also include a manual or other insert, depending on the edition and region.
04
Playing it today
The original cartridge runs on standard Game Boy hardware and also works on later compatible systems such as Game Boy Color. The game has also been available digitally through Nintendo's Virtual Console and Nintendo Switch Online services, so players can choose between original hardware and re-release options.