Finally, after many months of waiting, we have a release date for the SEGA-fied version of one of the greatest puzzle games ever, Picross S. The digital-only title, fully known as Picross S: Mega Drive (or Genesis) & Mark III (or Master System) Edition, will launch exclusively on Nintendo Switch on August 5.
Picross S developer Jupiter released a new trailer on its YouTube channel to formally announce the release date, along with some new information about the picture-puzzling spinoff. As you might expect from the name, the puzzles in this game all feature select characters from SEGA’s 8-bit and 16-bit past, ranging from Alex Kidd to Streets of Rage and Phantasy Star.
For those unfamiliar, Picross is a grid-based puzzle game where you have to fill in squares to complete a picture. You use numbers as hints to tell you exactly how many squares should be filled in and where along each row and column. Normally, Picross S games feature pictures of standard everyday items, but the draw with this version is that, for the first time, video game characters are the focus. And not just any video game characters – SEGA video game characters!
Sonic fans will be well-served here, as Jupiter has created character puzzles inspired by all of the blue blur’s major Mega Drive adventures. Expect to complete sprites lifted from the original Sonic the Hedgehog, its sequel Sonic 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles as well as Sonic CD.
Picross aficionados may recognise many of the game modes on offer in this SEGA themed version. Standard Picross puzzles – using black and white colours – sit alongside more the complex Colour Picross, Mega Picross and Clip Picross to offer a range of challenges.
We’re not kidding when we say we’re super excited for this little game. Roll on, August 5!