For a mere 20 bucks Crosswords DS is a deceptively deep game. Not only do you get a multitude of crosswords ranging from very easy (4 x 4 grids) to difficult, but the game also comes packed with Word Search and Anagrams play options to offer variety and replay value. No matter which game you decide to play, you’ll be holding your DS vertical, just like with the popular Brain Age games. Also borrowing a page from those games is the input method of actually writing the letters in the spaces to fill out the puzzle. The handwriting recognition is very accurate and makes filling out answers a breeze. You can choose to have the game alert you when you put a wrong letter in the box or play the old fashioned way with no help at all. The puzzles start of extraordinarily easy so even kids can enjoy the game. Veteran crossword players will complete the easier puzzles in a matter of a few minutes. It’s not until the later puzzles become available that the true challenges await.

Word Search is another fun diversion for those that tire easily of the crosswords. Always a favorite of mine as a kid, Word Search has the player locate specific words in a jumbled mess of letters. By drawing a line through the letters to form the word it will become circled and that word will be crossed off the list. As you progress more and more words will be added to the puzzle.

Anagrams has a set of letters that can be dragged up to the blank spaces to form words. You are shown how many words are left to be found with the letters given. The game puts the answers in alphabetical order, so if you’re missing a word between “cat” and “dog” you know it has to start with a “c” or a “d”. This helps a bit, but I found this mode to be the most difficult to complete.

Crosswords DS is a fun game for those who enjoy word games. The presentation is understandably basic, but the game play is spot-on. The game moves at a pretty good clip, but can tend to move slower during the crossword puzzles, which is a mild irritation. The lack of multiplayer or downloadable content is disappointing, but not a deal breaker by any means. If you’re into word puzzle games then I highly suggest Crosswords DS. With over 1000 puzzles and multiple modes of play prepare to waste plenty of afternoons with your DS.