View source for Picross

{{Short description|Video game series}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title = ''Picross''
| image = Nintendo_Picross_Logo.png
| caption = 
| genre = [[Puzzle video game]]
| developer  = {{plainlist|
* [[Jupiter Corporation]]
*[[Ape Inc.]]
* [[HAL Laboratory]]
}}
| publisher = {{plainlist|
* [[Nintendo]]
* [[Jupiter Corporation]]
}}
| platforms = {{plainlist|
* [[Game Boy]]
* [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]
* [[Nintendo DS]]
* [[Nintendo 3DS]]
* [[Nintendo Switch]]
}}
| first release version = ''[[Mario's Picross]]''
| first release date = March 14, 1995
| latest release version = ''Picross: Juufuutei Raden's Guide for Pixel Museum''
| latest release date  = June 4, 2025}}

{{Nihongo foot|'''''Picross'''''|ピクロス|Pikurosu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a series of [[puzzle video games]] developed by [[Jupiter Corporation]] and owned by [[Nintendo]]. It features a series of [[nonogram]] puzzles solved by the player. The series started in 1995 with ''[[Mario's Picross]]'' for the [[Game Boy]]. After many entries published by Nintendo for multiple platforms, Jupiter started self-publishing ''Picross'' games such as the ''[[Picross e]]'' and ''[[Picross S]]'' series on the [[Nintendo 3DS]] and [[Nintendo Switch]] under license from Nintendo.

[[HAL Laboratory]] developed the ''Picross 3D'' spinoff series, with games on the [[Nintendo DS]] and Nintendo 3DS.

== Development ==

Due to the popularity of pen-and-paper nonogram puzzles at the time in Japan, Makoto Nakayama, founder of Jupiter Corporation, pitched a video game version of nonograms to Nintendo. Since Jupiter had little experience in game development, [[Ape Inc.]] (known now as Creatures Inc.) assisted with the game's development. [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] oversaw the process from Nintendo's side and proposed adding Mario to the game. ''[[Mario's Picross]]'' was released for the Game Boy in 1995.<ref name="VGC interview">{{Cite web |title=Picross developer Jupiter on nearly 30 years of puzzling prowess |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/picross-developer-jupiter-on-nearly-30-years-of-puzzling-prowess/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=videogameschronicle.com |date=July 28, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-10-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091838/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/picross-developer-jupiter-on-nearly-30-years-of-puzzling-prowess/ |url-status=live }}</ref> While it did not take off in the West, it sold well in Japan and led to several Japan-only entries, including ''Picross 2'' for the Game Boy, ''[[Mario's Super Picross]]'' for the Super Famicom, the ''Picross NP'' series for the [[Nintendo Power (cartridge)|Nintendo Power]] service, and ''Tamori no Picross'' for [[Satellaview]]. A ''Picross'' minigame was also planned to be included in ''[[Pokémon Gold and Silver]]'' during its development, although that idea was scrapped.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Proto:Pokémon Gold and Silver/Spaceworld 1997 Demo/Minigames - The Cutting Room Floor|url=https://tcrf.net/Proto:Pokémon_Gold_and_Silver/Spaceworld_1997_Demo/Minigames|access-date=2025-04-15|website=tcrf.net|language=en-US|archive-date=2025-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326214251/https://tcrf.net/Proto:Pokémon_Gold_and_Silver/Spaceworld_1997_Demo/Minigames|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=20 Amazing Things Deleted From Pokémon Gold And Silver (That Would Have Changed Everything)|url=https://www.thegamer.com/things-deleted-pokemon-gold-silver-awesome/|access-date=2025-04-15|website=thegamer.com|date=October 2018 |language=en-US|archive-date=2025-04-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250415122115/https://www.thegamer.com/things-deleted-pokemon-gold-silver-awesome/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[Picross DS]]'' was the first ''Picross'' title in 12 years to be released internationally, launching on the Nintendo DS in 2007. Shortly thereafter, HAL Laboratory, known for the [[Kirby (series)|Kirby]] series, developed ''[[Picross 3D]]'' for the Nintendo DS. The game used similar mechanics to traditional ''Picross'' but adapted them to a three-dimensional environment. The sequel, ''[[Picross 3D: Round 2]]'', was released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2015.

After unsuccessfully pitching a ''Picross DS'' sequel to Nintendo for the 3DS, Jupiter opted to self-publish ''Picross'' games under a licensing deal.<ref name="VGC interview" /> They released nine titles and many spin-offs in the ''[[Picross e]]'' series for the Nintendo 3DS. Jupiter continues to self-publish ''Picross'' games on the Nintendo Switch, releasing nine titles and various spin-offs in the ''[[Picross S]]'' series.

Over the years, Jupiter Corporation has also worked on a few nonogram video games that are not part of the ''Picross'' video game franchise, but were built on the same engine as titles in the series, including ''NuPa: Numeric Paint Puzzle'', ''Puzzlun'', ''[[Pictlogica Final Fantasy]]'', ''Smapic'', and ''[[Sumikko Gurashi|Sumikko Gurashi the Movie: The Kingdom of the Sky and the Two Girls Let's Play Characross]]''. ''Logiart Grimoire'' and ''Juufuutei Raden's Guide for Pixel Museum'' were also created as original nonogram video games for [[Microsoft Windows]] (through the [[Steam (service)|Steam]] digital store), along with the former receiving a [[PlayStation 4]] port, but for their Nintendo Switch release, both games use the ''Picross'' name with permissions from Nintendo.

== Games ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|- style="white-space:nowrap"
!Game title
!Developer
!Publisher
!System
!Release
!Notes
|-
| ''[[Mario's Picross]]''
| rowspan="3" | [[Jupiter Corporation]],<br>[[Ape Inc.]]
| rowspan="4" | [[Nintendo]]
| [[Game Boy]]
| rowspan="3" | 1995
| First game in the ''Picross'' franchise, and first game in the ''Mario's Picross'' series.
|-
| ''Tamori no Picross''<ref name="God Bird">{{Cite web |title=サテラビューのオリジナルゲームの一覧。 (A list of original Satellaview games.)|url=https://god-bird.net/research/satellaoriginal.html|access-date=2024-11-26 |website=god-bird.net/|language=Japanese}}</ref>
| [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]]<br>([[Satellaview]])
| Broadcast from April 23rd to September 2nd, 1995.<br>Only released in Japan.
|-
| ''[[Mario's Super Picross]]''
| [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]]
| Second game in the ''Mario's Picross'' series.<br>Originally only released in Japan, later received a European release on Wii, and a worldwide release on Nintendo Switch.
|-
| ''Picross 2''
| [[Jupiter Corporation]],<br>[[Creatures Inc.]]
| [[Game Boy]]
| 1996
| Last game in the ''Mario's Picross'' series.<br>Only released in Japan.
|-
| ''Satella de Picross''<ref name="God Bird" />
| [[Jupiter Corporation]]
| [[Nintendo]], [[St.GIGA]]
| [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]]<br>([[Satellaview]])
| 1997
| Was broadcast on November 30th of 1997, and ran for 27 days.<br>Only released in Japan.
|-
| ''Picross NP'' series
| [[Jupiter Corporation]],<br>[[Nintendo]]
| rowspan="3" | [[Nintendo]]
| [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]]<br>([[Nintendo Power (cartridge)|Nintendo Power]])
| 1999-2000
| Series of 8 volumes that released for the Nintendo Power service.<br>Only released in Japan.
|-
| ''[[Picross DS]]''
| [[Jupiter Corporation]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Nintendo DS]]
| 2007
| First ''Picross'' game in 12 years to release outside of Japan.
|-
| ''[[Picross 3D]]''
| [[HAL Laboratory]]
| 2009
| First game not developed by Jupiter Corporation, and first game in the ''Picross 3D'' series.
|-
| ''[[Picross e]]'' series
| rowspan="3" | [[Jupiter Corporation]]
| [[Jupiter Corporation]]
| rowspan="6" | [[Nintendo 3DS]]
| 2011-2018
| Received nine numbered entries. The first game is the first ''Picross'' game to not be published by Nintendo.<br>''Picross e9'' only released in Japan.
|-
| ''Club Nintendo Picross''
| rowspan="3" | [[Nintendo]]
| 2012
| Given away as reward for the [[Club Nintendo]] loyalty program.<br>Only released in Japan and South Korea.
|-
| ''Club Nintendo Picross+''
| 2014
| Given away as reward for the Club Nintendo loyalty program.<br>Only released in Japan.
|-
| ''[[Picross 3D: Round 2]]''
| [[HAL Laboratory]]
| rowspan="2" | 2015
| Second game in the ''Picross 3D'' series.
|-
| ''[[Pokémon Picross]]''
| rowspan="10" | [[Jupiter Corporation]]
| [[The Pokémon Company]]
| The first and, so far, only [[freemium]] ''Picross'' game in the franchise.
|-
| ''[[My Nintendo Picross: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess]]''
| [[Nintendo]]
| 2016
| Given away as a reward for the [[My Nintendo]] loyalty program.
|-
| ''[[Picross S]]'' series
| rowspan="8" | [[Jupiter Corporation]]
| [[Nintendo Switch]]
| 2017-2025
| Received nine numbered entries, plus a few spin-offs:<br>• ''Picross S: Genesis & Master System Edition'' (2021) - Crossover with properties owned by [[Sega]], such as ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'', ''[[Bonanza Bros.]]'', ''[[Puyo Puyo]]'', and ''[[Golden Axe]]'';<br>• ''Picross S+'' (2024) - A compilation of all 9 ''Picross e'' games' puzzles;<br>• ''Picross S: Namco Legendary Edition'' (2024) - Crossover with properties owned by [[Namco]], such as ''[[Pac-Man]]'', ''[[Galaga]]'', ''[[Dig Dug]]'', and ''[[Mappy]]'';<br>• ''Picross S: Doraemon & F Characters Edition'' (2025) - Crossover with the ''[[Doraemon]]'' manga series, along with other works by the Japanese manga artist [[Fujiko Fujio|Hiroshi Fujimoto]];<br>• ''Picross S: Capcom Classics Edition'' (2025) - Crossover with properties owned by [[Capcom]], such as ''[[Street Fighter]]'', ''[[Mega Man]]'', and ''[[Final Fight]]'';<br>• ''Picross S: SNK Classics & NEOGEO Edition'' (2025) - Crossover with properties owned by [[SNK]], such as ''[[The King of Fighters]]'', ''[[Fatal Fury]]'', and ''[[Metal Slug]]''.
|-
| ''Sanrio characters Picross''
| [[Nintendo 3DS]]
| rowspan="2" | 2018
| Crossover with characters and properties owned by [[Sanrio]] such as ''[[Hello Kitty]]'', ''[[List of Sanrio characters#Bad Badtz-Maru (1993)|Bad Badtz-Maru]]'', ''[[List of Sanrio characters#My Melody (1975)|My Melody]]'', and ''[[List of Sanrio characters#Kirimichan (2013)|Kirimichan]]''.
|-
| ''Kemono Friends Picross''
| rowspan="6" | [[Nintendo Switch]]
| Crossover with the ''[[Kemono Friends]]'' media franchise.
|-
| ''Picross: Lord of the Nazarick''
| 2019
| Crossover with the ''[[Overlord (light novel)|Overlord]]'' light novel series.
|-
| ''Picross X: Picbits vs Uzboross''
| 2022
| Spin-off focusing entirely on solving short 5x5 puzzle grids in quick succession.
|-
| ''Picross -LogiartGrimoire-''{{efn|Known as ''Logiart Grimoire'' on releases outside of [[Nintendo Switch]].}}
| rowspan="2" | 2024
| Is only considered to be part of the ''Picross'' franchise on Nintendo Switch.<br>Originally released on [[Steam (service)|Steam]] as [[Early access#Steam Early Access|Early Access]] on September 12 of 2023, and received a [[PlayStation 4]] release on April 24 of 2025.
|-
| ''Picross: Records of The Shield Hero''
| Crossover with ''[[The Rising of the Shield Hero]]'' multimedia franchise.
|-
| ''Picross: Juufuutei Raden's Guide for Pixel Museum''{{efn|Known as ''Juufuutei Raden's Guide for Pixel Museum'' on releases outside of [[Nintendo Switch]].}}
| 2025
| Crossover with [[Hololive Production]]-affiliated [[VTuber]] Juufuutei Raden. Is only considered to be part of the ''Picross'' franchise on Nintendo Switch.<ref>[https://x.com/Jupiter_JP1/status/1894220851639439714 Official announcement by Jupiter Corporation in Japanese on X (formerly Twitter)]</ref> The game also received a [[Steam (service)|Steam]] release on the same day as the Nintendo Switch release.
|}

=== Cancelled ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|- style="white-space:nowrap"
!Game title
!Developer
!Publisher
!System
!Revealed
!Notes
|-
|''Pokémon Picross''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-picross-cancelled-game-boy-color-spin-off/|title=Pokémon Picross: Inside The Cancelled Game Boy Color Spin-Off|website=thegamer.com|date=July 30, 2020 |access-date=2025-04-09|archive-date=2024-04-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407181505/https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-picross-cancelled-game-boy-color-spin-off/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Jupiter Corporation]]
| [[The Pokémon Company]]
| [[Game Boy Color]]
| 1999
| Originally shown in various Japanese magazines around spring of 1999, the game was cancelled for unknown reasons. The game was later found in a [[Nintendo data leak]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/nintendo-gigaleak-pokemon-picross-gameboy-canceled/|title=Unreleased Pokemon Game Revealed In Nintendo Gigaleak|website=gamerant.com|date=September 12, 2020 |access-date=2024-11-26|archive-date=2024-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216050446/https://gamerant.com/nintendo-gigaleak-pokemon-picross-gameboy-canceled/|url-status=live}}</ref> The game is not directly tied to the game of the same name released for Nintendo 3DS in 2015.
|}

== Notes ==
{{notes}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Picross}}
{{Main franchises by Nintendo}}
{{Portal bar|Video games|Japan|1990s}}
[[Category:Picross (video game series)]]
[[Category:Nonograms]]
[[Category:Video game franchises]]
[[Category:Nintendo franchises]]
[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1995]]