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Why Sue Doku dropped its price
Sue Doku (US$0.99) is a sudoku app for the iPad with a real difference -- it's beautiful and functional. When the developers created the sudoku app that looks like an advertisement for iOS 7 with its minimalist design, they decided to do away with the many in-app purchases that infest similar apps and priced Sue Doku at $1.99. Now they're dropping the price by a buck. Why? According to the Sue Doku blog, it's quite simple -- the company wants more people to buy the app so they're using the time-honored method of lowering the barriers to entry. As Michael McWatters of the Sue Doku team put it, "Nonetheless, although user feedback has been incredibly positive, we want more people to experience Sue. That's why we're reducing the price from $1.99 to $0.99 effective immediately. At about one-third the price of a cup of coffee, we're convinced Sue is a great bargain for the iPad owner who really wants the best sudoku experience." Sudoku fans who haven't experienced Sue Doku yet should pop on over to the App Store and take advantage of the new lower pricing -- it was worth the price at $2; now it's a steal for a buck.
Free Minesweeper, Sudoku come to Windows Phone 7 in the US
Looking to bolster your games collection on your Windows Phone on the cheap? Today, Microsoft has announced that ad-supported versions of Minesweeper and Sudoku are available to download, free of charge, right now on your Windows Phone 7 device. There's only one stipulation: you've gotta be a US resident. Both titles feature Achievements and multiple modes of play -- in Sudoku, you've got Classic or Lightning mode, while Minesweeper boasts Classic and Speed modes. You can download each by following the links below. [Thanks, Curtis]
Minesweeper, Sudoku now available for Windows Phone users, procrastinators
Got a Windows Phone 7 and an addictive personality? Well then today's your lucky day, as the Xbox Live versions of both Minesweeper and Sudoku have now landed in the US Marketplace. With these new additions, users can now sweep for virtual landmines in either Classic or Speed mode, or put their logic skills to the test by playing Sudoku in Lightning mode -- all while racking up achievements and powerups. Both are available for free and either will do a great job of destroying your productivity. Hit up the source links to download them for yourself and let the magic unfurl.
Kobo eReader Touch does more than words, handles Sudoku and web browsing on the side (video)
The Nook WiFi may have been rooted to play Angry Birds, but Kobo's competing eReader Touch Edition can apparently show off its gaming capabilities with factory settings. It turns out that aside from the Nook-like embedded web browser we uncovered in our review, the e-reader also comes pre-loaded with Sudoku -- perfect for some pattern deducing fun between reads. YouTube user codystheory has posted a video showing the quick sequence of taps needed to access the game, and we can definitely say it looks much easier than installing a custom ROM. We've placed the short clip after the break if you'd like to see for yourself. [Thanks, Nate]
Sudoku DSiWare exploit enables homebrew on DSi [update: and it's gone!]
For just 200 DSi Points (that's $2), a whole world of digital sudoku can be yours -- plus DSi homebrew capabilities! The hacking troupe known as "Team Twiizers" has found a hole in EA's Sudoku DSiWare game -- exposed using a false save file -- through which homebrew games and applications can be run on a DSi without a flashcart. Notably, this exploit can not be used to play pirated games or applications, but only enables true homebrew software. Perhaps most exciting for homebrew developers, this breakthrough brings the DSi's hardware upgrades (over the original DS) into play. "In DSi mode, the DSi SD card slot is accessible, the whole 16MB RAM is available, and the CPU is clocked 2x higher than DS-mode," Twiizers notes in on post on HackMii. As of publishing, [see below] the Sudoku game is still available in the North American DSiWare store, but has already been removed in Europe. At the very least, it would be an excuse to throw away that ratty copy of Snakes on a Sudoku, right? Update: Looks like Nintendo has already removed the game from its DSiWare store in North America as well. Sorry homebrewers!
Google Goggles now solves Sudoku, taking an interest in ads, clearly entering middle age
There are no surer signs of the apocalyptic onset of middle age than a preoccupation with puzzle-solving and an unhealthy interest in adverts and barcodes. And those just happen to be the three new features Google has added to version 1.3 of its Goggles software. The visual search application for Android is now intelligent enough to decipher tricky Sudoku puzzles (and thereby suck all the fun out of them), while its algorithms have also been tweaked to make barcode scanning "almost" instant. Popular printed ads will be recognized as well, taking you to a Google search on the relevant topic. US newspapers and magazines from August 2010 are being supported for now, but we can't imagine the rest of the world should have to wait too long for this added convenience. Video of the new Goggles' Sudoku skills after the break.
Hacker uses Nixie Tubes to make Sudoku interesting
We are far too impatient for games like Sudoku, but we can appreciate a boss hack, such as the one that recently popped up over at Trashbear Labs. This contraption uses Nixie Tubes to solve Sudoku puzzles (with help from a modified version of code provided by Edwin Chan). By far, our favorite part of the contraption is the hardware itself: sort of looks like something from a nuclear submarine, doesn't it? Strike that: it's more like a nuclear fun-marine! (Wow, we even groaned a little there). Video after the break, and hit the source link for all the design files necessary to build your own! [Thanks, Thomas]
Nook gets web browser, free in-store reading, and games in new firmware
It's not in our nature to get all excited about firmware updates, but B&N sure seems to be bringing the good stuff in release 1.3 of the Nook's software. The major new features include a Beta release of a "basic" web browser and a Read In Store feature that's reassuringly true to its name. You'll basically be allowed to browse and read the full versions of books while inside a Barnes and Noble outlet. That looks like a win-win to us, as it directly addresses the goal of using the Nook to get people in stores while affording consumers the opportunity to get a good idea about a book. The first Android apps on the device are also offered, in the form of games like chess and sudoku, both perfectly suited to the glacially refreshing monochome screen. Speaking of which, B&N claims it's also improved page turning and loading speeds. The update is available via manual download now or you can wait for the OTA stuff to hit your Nook within the next week. [Thanks, Davorin]
Eleven ways to stifle boredom in the iPad line
One of most excruciatingly boring experiences of my life was waiting in line on June 29, 2007 for my first-generation iPhone. The day was clear and hot, and although I had my laptop with me, it quickly ran out of juice as we waited for the official opening of the store for iPhone sales at 5 PM. Some people appear to have infinite patience, but TUAW reader Cody is like me -- he gets bored easily. In an email, Cody said "I will be standing in the Best Buy line for well over 5 hours. Do you have any suggestions on ways to help time go by? I think it would be helpful if you compiled a list and posted it on TUAW!" Well, we're at your service, Cody! And hopefully, these ideas will keep hundreds of thousands of iPad owners-to-be from suffering from terminal boredom in the early morning hours in line. Please note that several of these suggestions require that the person standing in line own an iPhone, so if you don't own one already, get thee to an Apple Store now! Do live streaming video the entire time you're in line. TUAW bloggers will be giving you live coverage of iPad Saturday at a number of locations across the country, but there's just not going to be enough local coverage everywhere. Grab yourself a copy of Qik (US$0.99) or Ustream Broadcaster (free), maybe buy yourself a Sima LED Video Light to strap to your head to brighten things up at 2 AM, and bring a lot of fully charged Monoprice battery packs. After all, we don't want to miss one thrilling moment of your time interviewing each and every person in the line at least twice.
First Look: Sudoku Real Edition
According to its developers David Jones and Amy Burton, Sudoku Real Edition offers a game play experience that aims to be "as real as possible, almost as if you bought a Sudoku book and sat down at a table to play." As this sneak peek video shows, that goal is not too far off the mark. Priced at $2.99, this new iPad app was built using real world graphics that were digitized for game play. If you're into Sudoku, you'll probably be impressed by this application's beautifully designed interfaces. It's nice to see how thoroughly the developers created a custom iPad experience. One discordant note is that they used standard Apple switches (ON-OFF buttons) in their Settings dialog instead of creating a custom choice control that better matched their other UI elements. Also, it's not clear whether you'll be able to use full screen play in addition to the tabletop presentation in the video; it seems like a natural transition for landscape to change into a full screen portrait view. That having been said, it looks lovely. I particularly liked their sliding bookmark element, that keeps track of an on-going game. All in all, it looks like a beautiful game and a worthy member of the new iPad App Store community.
NintendoWare Weekly: Castlevania ReBirth, Pilotwings, Oregon Trail
Nintendo's been on quite the roll recently, providing plenty of content in its weekly offerings -- and today is no different. There are ten new titles to check out, including high-profile downloads such as Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth, Oregon Trail and -- finally! -- Pilotwings on the Virtual Console. Head past the break to check out the full list.
NintendoWare Weekly: Tales of Monkey Island, Bookworm, The Combatribes
If you thought last week's NintendoWare Weekly update was huge, well ... you'll probably think the same thing about this week's update! That's mostly because Nintendo provides quite the overweight offering this time, with a total of ten new titles available for your post-Thanksgiving download. Loosen that belt and make some room for more by heading past the break for the full list of this week's releases.
European Nintendo downloads: Banana fighting street
Finally, the wait for Fighting Street is over for Europe! We suppose it's timely, given that a new Street Fighter game is in the news now, but ... it's still Fighting Street. The continuation of Tales of Monkey Island should be a bit more welcome, as should the DSiWare Bomberman Blitz. Manic Monkey Mayhem on WiiWare sounds like it could be great (monkeys throw bananas to knock each other off of platforms), with online play -- but, of course, we always feel guarded about unknown WiiWare games. But monkeys! We look forward to hearing impressions. As for the rest, Uno sounds like Uno and SUDOKU sounds like sudoku, but louder. Fighting Street (Turbografx-16 CD-ROM, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points) Manic Monkey Mayhem (WiiWare, 1-4 players, 1,000 Wii Points) Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 3: Lair of the Leviathan (WiiWare, 1 player, 1,000 Wii Points) Uno (WiiWare, 1-4 players, 500 Wii Points) A Little Bit of ... All Time Classics: Family Favorites (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points) Bomberman Blitz (DSiWare, 1-8 players, 500 DSi Points) SUDOKU (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
NintendoWare Weekly: Zombies Axed My PictureBook
Of course Nintendo of America didn't release Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth today. That would have been far too obvious. However, rather than disappointing us with this week's selections, Nintendo actually surprised us with a very welcome, seasonally appropriate Virtual Console classic! Knock on the post break and see what kind of downloadable candy Nintendo is shoving into our pillowcases. [Image credit]
EA to follow MySims Camera with Scrabble, Littlest Pet Shop on DSiWare
In case you think you want a camera app that adds MySims characters to your DSi photos, but aren't sure, EA sent a couple of screenshots of the app in action. It does pretty much what it says, though we didn't expect the MySims images to be so freely positionable.Along with shots of MySims Camera and Sudoku, EA announced more upcoming DSiWare games. Littlest Pet Shop gets even littler on DSiWare, allowing you to collect and interact with pets, dress them up, and "throw a dance party for your pets and watch them groove to a cool song."Scrabble will be released as several different apps including Scrabble Classic and Scrabble Tools, a Scrabble-themed vocabulary building game. Apparently, each Scrabble game will be a separate download.%Gallery-73658%
NintendoWare Weekly: Picturebook Games, Revenge of Shinobi
Today's highlight is no doubt Revenge of Shinobi, the first Shinobi game on the Sega Genesis. What's funny about this is that the third game in the series on that console, Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master, was released on the Wii way back in 2007. Two-thousand-and-freaking-seven, people! How crazy is that? More after the break.
iPhone It In: Drop7
Bonus: Joystiq is giving away Drop7 download codes! Details at the end of the review: You know what, I'm just gonna say it: I love Drop7. I've been evangelizing the game since I downloaded the free "Lite" version two weeks ago -- and subsequently bought the full version for $2.99 -- trying desperately to explain the game's "Tetris meets Sudoku" concept to anyone who'll listen. Forget about your Super Monkey Balls and Metal Gear Solid Touches -- Drop7 feels built from the ground up with the iPhone (at least sort of) in mind, and easily warrants the same praise that games like Rolando and Word Fu have earned. It's easy to jump into a game and play for as little (or as long) as you'd like, just the way I like my phone-based gaming. Oh, and before you jump all over me for not playing the game earlier, I'm quite aware that the game came out all the way back in late January, which is like ten thousand internet years. It doesn't matter though, because Drop7 is timeless.%Gallery-68350%
New DSiware revealed: Prehistorik Man, Six in One Translator
Nintendo has cracked open the vault of upcoming titles due out later this year, and there's quite a few new titles mentioned for DSiWare. A few we already knew about (Gameloft's Uno and Hudson's Sudoku games were expected), but Prehistorik Man, published by Interplay, is an old SNES game (so Virtual Console we guess?), and there's a working title for a DSiWare game called Six in One Translator. Could you be translating between six different languages on your DSi sometime later this year? There are also quite a few "Domo" games planned -- we're guessing these are games that have to do with the popular Japanese Domo character, thoughThe full list of publishers, games, and expected release dates is after the break.
Hudson bringing Sudoku to DSiWare this summer
Hudson has announced that it will be bringing Sudoku to DSiWare in two different flavors. Sudoku Student and Sudoku Master will both be made available this summer at a"very affordable price point." The games will each feature puzzles hand crafted by Nikoli, the Japanese puzzle company. It's unclear exactly what the differences are between the two titles, though the press release does mention that Sudoku Master features "a class certification mode, which tests advanced players' puzzle solving abilities and rates their skill levels." Sure, Sudoku's getting a little bit tired nowadays, but with the puzzles coming to DSi there's now literally no way to escape them. May as well just give in.
iPhone apps stats revealed, games dominate list
With game applications taking up nearly half the list (12 of 25), the rankings for iPhone apps released this week by internet information company comScore may be aimed at advertisers, but tells us a ton about the newest gaming platform. For instance, of the 15 million iPhone users in the US, 32 percent (nearly one in every three) have installed Tap Tap Revenge, making it the most popular application by an ice cold five percent. Furthermore, of the 12 game applications listed, 75 percent of them were developed by small startup companies or, in one case, a single individual. Actually, aside from Pac-Man, Hangman, Sudoku, and a version of Solitaire, all the games are original IP, with number one title Tap Tap Revenge serving as the prime example. We're starting to understand why the iPhone dominated the IGF this year and will likely continue to do so for years to come.
