Play Picross NP Vol. 8 (Japan) (NP) Online

Picross NP Vol. 8 is one of those weird little SNES gems that never left Japan—which is a shame, because it's pure, unfiltered Picross goodness. You know the drill: numbers on a grid, logic puzzles that slowly reveal pixel art when you solve them. But there's something about the SNES version that just feels right—maybe it's the chunky buttons or the satisfying click of filling in squares.

This one's part of the Nintendo Power series, so it originally came with extra puzzles if you had a subscription (good luck finding those now). The puzzles start simple, but by the time you hit the later ones, you'll be second-guessing every move. And yeah, no touchscreen—just your trusty D-pad and a whole lot of patience. It's the kind of game you lose an hour to without realizing.

If you're into retro puzzle games, this is a solid way to waste an afternoon. Just don't blame me when you start seeing grids in your sleep.