Ages: 8 and up

Players: 1 to 4

Playing Time: 20 minutes

Ever since I solved my first Sudoku puzzle, I've been hooked. I find working puzzles to be challenging and for the most part relaxing. Solving the puzzles can sometimes be frustrating but the sense of accomplishment when you are overlooking a solved puzzle makes it worth it. Now all the fun of Sudoku is available in a board game. Sudoku Challenge presents the very popular puzzle game in a board game form that is fun for one or more players.

Sudoku is a puzzle game that contains 9 rows featuring 9 squares each. Players place numbers 1 through 9 on each row. Each 3 x 3 square, usually outlined with a bolder line, must not contain more than one of each number.

Players take turns placing tiles in legal moves on the Sudoku board. You follow the rules of Sudoku by placing only one of each numbered tile in a row and in a 3 x 3 square. You score points by adding the tiles placed in the rows of your placed tile. You get one point for each tile. Sudoku Challenge features quality playing pieces and board. Players mark their score in the game with their pawn. Once a player has accumulated 40 points, then they receive a 40 point marker. When no more legal moves can be placed, then players add up their points on the board and any 40 point markers. The person with the highest score wins the game.

Sudoku Challenge is really two games in one. There is also Zoodoku, which is played on the reverse side of the Sudoku board. The Zoodoku playing board is made up of 6 cells by 6 cells board. Players place animals on the board and still adhere to the rules of Sudoku by not placing the same animal in the same row or cell.

Sudoku Challenge is really flexible and fun. Unlike other Sudoku games, you start with a blank board, so you create the game. Each game will be fresh and new instead of having a set number Sudoku boards. This gives players a lot of flexibility when playing Sudoku. It can be a great exercise in practicing Sudoku to get a better grasp of the logic of the game.

Sudoku Challenge offers something for everyone in the family. For the young kids, use the reverse side of the board for Zooduku. The adults can play a game of Sudoku. One person can test their Sudoku skills. The Sudoku craze is has hit our home, so Sudoku Challenge makes a great addition to our gaming shelf.


I received Sudoku Challenge from Simply Fun Games. The review is 100% my opinion.