You could buy a whole shelf full of Sudoku products, but they won’t have as many puzzles as this one. Sudoku Mania contains about 300,000 Sudoku puzzles, plus a puzzle generator to create literally an infinite number more! Although Sudoku is challenging, you don’t need to be a number cruncher to love this game—all you do is fill in the blanks in each partially completed puzzle, using the numbers 1 through 9 only once in each row, column, and 3 x 3 block. Sounds easy, right?—you’ll be surprised! You can print or solve the puzzles on-screen, and there are 4 levels of difficulty, plus a timer. There are hints if you get stuck, and optional “pencil notes”. Any puzzle you don’t finish can be saved and completed later. Sudoku is simple to learn, yet takes a lifetime to master, and this is one CD-ROM you could play for a lifetime!

Kakuro is the next great phenomenon that’s making its way across the nation. Kakuro take the number strategy of Sudoku and puts it on a crossword-like puzzle grid. The object of the puzzle is to fill in the squares using the numbers 1 to 9, making sure they add up to the number attached to that row, and without repeating a number. Possible number combinations are given for each row. Some squares contain “clues” telling you the sum of the numbers in each column. You can time yourself, check your answers, and if you’re stuck, use the hint function to get back on track. Puzzles can be saved or paused to return to later. This game has 4 grid sizes, 3 levels of difficulty, and 25,000 puzzles for endless challenging fun.

Crossword Addict contains a collection of 486 crossword puzzles. They are printable, or playable on the computer. You have the option of timed play (and pause control), and you can save partially completed games. There is a virtual scratch pad you can use to sort your thoughts, and if you get really stuck, there is a “clue” button. Choose from six different tile-set options for the look you want for your puzzles. This CD-ROM will definitely keep you occupied and challenged for quite some time.

With 1,005 games spanning 3 levels of difficulty, you can start out easy or dive right into the most complicated puzzles. You’ll have the ability to time yourself, check your answers, and “pencil in” guesses while you see if they work. Create separate user accounts for each user in the family – keep track of everyone’s times, and see who does each puzzle the fastest! This game is incredibly addictive – and loads of fun!

Word Search is actually much more than the title implies. It starts with clues and ends with searching for the answers in letter grids of various shapes and sizes. And if you like the more traditional word search without the clues, this product contains a word search generator to create an infinite number of puzzles of the sizes and shapes you choose. You can play each Word Search on-screen or print it out to do by hand. There are 7 display options to customize the look of your game, and unfinished Word Searches can be paused or saved to play later. Hints are available if you’re stuck. You could literally play this game forever.