Picross DS/Normal Mode

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Normal Mode contains 165 puzzles for "beginner to intermediate" players. These puzzles all use normal rules (as opposed to Free Mode rules) so you are told when you make a mistake, and given a time penalty.

The puzzles are split into ten levels, each with a different theme. The later levels have to be unlocked by completing the available puzzles. Each level contains 15 puzzles labelled A-O.

[edit] Mini games

Each level also contains three mini games: Catch, Sketch and Hit.

  • Catch - Blue squares move around a grid and you have to touch them all before the time runs out.
  • Sketch - You have to copy the picture on the top screen by touching the grid squares on the touch screen.
  • Hit - Blue squares pop up randomly in the grid for a short time and you have to touch them before they disappear.

The time limits are generous on the early levels and squares move slowly but on the harder levels the squares move very quickly and the time limits are much more strict.

[edit] Summary

The table below shows a summary of the Normal Mode levels.

Level Theme Grid Size Catch Sketch Hit
Level 1 Fruits & vegetables 10x10 5 in 10 seconds Floppy Disk (30 seconds) 10 in 10 seconds
Level 2 Animals 15x15 10 in 10 seconds Sewing Machine (35 seconds) 20 in 15 seconds
Level 3 Sea creatures 15x15 10 in 15 seconds Duck (40 seconds) 20 in 15 seconds
Level 4 Birds / sky 15x15 15 in 15 seconds Mosquito? (40 seconds) 25 in 20 seconds
Level 5 Flowers 15x15 5 in 10 seconds Bird (45 seconds) 25 in 20 seconds
Level 6 Bugs and insects 15x15 10 in 15 seconds ??? (45 seconds) 30 in 25 seconds
Level 7 Jungle animals 20x20 15 in 25 seconds Hand? (50 seconds) 30 in 25 seconds
Level 8 Polar 20x20 15 in 30 seconds Husky (50 seconds) 40 in 30 seconds
Level 9 Desert 20x20 15 in 30 seconds Cow (70 seconds) 50 in 40 seconds
Level 10 Space 25x20 20 in 30 seconds Clownfish (80 seconds) 60 in 60 seconds
Extra Nintendo 25x20