Sudoku is one of the most fun and addictive puzzles out there. This game has been available for several years. Nowadays, thanks to the development of technology, you can download Sudoku on your smartphone or tablet and play it whenever wherever.
Sudoku has significantly grown in popularity over the years. This could be contributed by the fact that Sudoku is easy to learn and play, and it can also put your mind in good shape since it is a mind-teaser. This game is usually played in a 9×9 grid, which has numbers from 1 to 9. No number should be repeated in the grid. Sudoku usually comes in different sizes and themes.
If you love playing Sudoku, there are plenty of facts that you may not know about this globally-known puzzle game. In this piece, we want to discuss some of the surprising facts about Sudoku that you may not be aware of. So, without wasting more time, let’s explore them.
- Sudoku is an American game, and not a Japanese game
One of the most common misconceptions about Sudoku is that it is actually a Japanese game. But this is far from being the truth. Contrary to that, Sudoku is an American game. The game was originally developed by Howard Garn in 1979. Sudoku was originally called “Number Place.” The game was then popularized as “Sudoku” by Nikoli, a Japanese publisher in 1984. So this means that Sudoku is an American game and not a Japanese game because it originated in the USA.
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- Numerous variations of Sudoku have been released since its launch
Another surprising fact you need to know about Sudoku is that it has plenty of variations. Since its release in 1979, several Sudoku variations have been created. But its original concept still remains the same. The perfect examples of Sudoku variations include Samurai Sudoku, Mini Sudoku, Logic 5, Jigsaw Sudoku, etc.
- Sudoku is a logic game and not a mathematical game
A number of people often think that Sudoku is more of a mathematical game. But this is not true. In fact, Sudoku is a logic game. Logic puzzles are typically characterized by a grid that must be completed by following well-defined rules. Sudoku can be played with symbols, pictures, numbers that don’t really require mathematical skills to solve. So if you are looking for a perfect example of a logic puzzle, it is Sudoku.
- Sudoku only became popular after 2004
While this popular puzzle game was developed in 1979, it was up until 2004 that it became popular. Howard Garn developed the game by its original name ‘Number Place.” He died in 1989 before the game gained the massive popularity that it has acquired today. Nikoli, who was a Japanese publisher, later changed the name to “Sudoku.” Sudoku is a Japanese word. “Su” means a number, while “Doku” means single. So Sudoku means “only single digits.”
It was until 2004 that Sudoku became popular across the globe. This fun and addictive game has broken the record to be one of the best PC puzzles. It has also proven to be one of the best puzzles for the mobile platform. Today, it is so easy to find somebody playing Sudoku, whether on their tablets, smartphones, or paper.
- The number of Sudoku players across the globe isn’t known
Since Sudoku is one of the most fun, engaging, and addictive puzzles across the globe, this has made it attract millions of players globally. Unfortunately, the exact number of Sudoku players in the whole world isn’t known because this puzzle is played on various platforms by different players. Of course, this is what makes it difficult to estimate the exact number of people playing Sudoku because some people play it in the newspaper or magazine, while others play it on the web, while other people play Sudoku on downloadable versions.
- Playing Sudoku offers plenty of benefits
If you think that Sudoku is only a source of entertainment, then you are absolutely wrong. There are plenty of benefits of Sudoku other than just for entertainment. Playing Sudoku will offer you a number of health benefits such as:
- Improving thinking skills
- Relieving stress
- Improving memory
- Improving logical thinking
- Improving concentration
This means that you can never go wrong in choosing to play Sudoku because the benefits you will enjoy are just incredible.
- It is impossible to complete all Sudoku puzzles in your lifetime
There are numerous Sudoku puzzles today. Research shows that there are about 5,472, 730, 540 valid puzzles that can be played. Of course, what this means is that it is impossible to solve all of these puzzles in your lifetime. What’s more, there are several levels of difficulty and also numerous challenges, depending on your skill level. So if you thought that you could break the record and play all Sudoku puzzles, just abolish that thought because it is impossible.
- Sudoku is solvable
Let nobody lie to you that some Sudoku puzzles cannot be solved. All Sudoku puzzles can be solved if you use the right solving techniques. So if you find it difficult and nerve-wracking to solve Sudoku, it could be that you are using the wrong technique or not keen enough. For you to successfully complete your Sudoku puzzle, you need to understand the rules of the game. When it comes to solving Sudoku puzzles, there are numerous resources you can gather information and insights from. For example, there are numerous articles or eBooks on the internet that talk about Sudoku and how to solve them. By spending your time on these resources, you are more likely to become a pro Sudoku player.
Wrapping up
There you have it- some of the top facts about Sudoku puzzles that you probably did not know. There is no doubt that Sudoku is a fun and interesting game that will help you relax after a long tiring day or help you keep boredom at bay. This game will definitely keep you glued to your phone or tablet for hours on end.
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