Nurikabe is a square-painting numerical puzzler from Breakpoint. The premise of the game is this: Dr. Tetsuo's lab need is in need of renovation. Genius that he is, Dr. Tetsuo can't help but make a menial and tedious task more mind-boggling than it usually is, so he came up with the idea to repaint his lab according to the rules of a game called Nurikabe.

The player gets a board of empty squares with a few numbers scattered about. The object of the game is to paint all the squares either white or blue, using the following rules:

• The numbers are islands which show how many white squares make up the island (including the number square)
• The islands can form any shape
• Islands cannot touch (the white square of one cannot touch the side of the white square of another)
• The islands must be separated by blue squares which must form one continuous wall (every blue square must touch the sides of at least two other blue squares)
• Blue squares cannot form a block 2x2 or bigger
• There is only one solution

Seems like a handful, don't it? Leave it to a genius (sounds more like "mad scientist" to us) to make us get a brain workout. If you like numerical puzzle games such as Sudoku, give Nurikabe a spin. It won't disappoint.

Most of us wouldn't have expected Lego Star Wars to be met by so much critical acclaim when it was first released. Now, as the game's getting a original trilogy-based sequel on home consoles and the PC, the franchise is about to hit mobile phones as well. Putting it's focus on the events of Episode III again, where Obi-Wan and Anakin attempt to rescue chancellor Palpatine, the cellphone version is an action adventure in a top-down perspective. Players take up the role of Skywalker, fighting their way through droid armies on the separatist's flagship.

It seems it wasn't quite possible for the developers to retain the blocky Lego charm of the "big" games; with such a small resolution to work with, not every detail can fit in. Nonetheless, the graphics are quite cute and clean while still reminding players that they're playing a Star Wars game.

Aside from the constant action, players will also be faced with a number of puzzles, most of which are obviously based on usage of the force. Other classic film inspirations include the ability to block laser fire with the lightsaber, sending it back at the enemy forces.

Much like it's parent games, Lego Star Wars for mobiles is designed as a lightweight and fun experience. As such, it won't take most players more than two hours to beat. All in all, it seems to be a decent transition of a full-fledged console game to mobile phones and should be worth trying out.

Xing Mobile is joining the Sudoku party by bringing their own Sudoku game, Quan Yin Sudoku, to mobile phones. Xing is bringing the Goddess of Mercy back for another puzzle game. Sudoku is a logic-based puzzle game in which the aim of the puzzle is to enter a numerical digit from 1 through 9 in each cell of a 9x9 grid made up of 3x3 smaller grids (called "regions"), starting with various digits given in some cells (the "givens"); each row, column, and region must contain only one instance of each numeral.

Completing the puzzles require patience and logical ability. The mobile phone version is supposed to boast a near unlimited number of variants for puzzle fans to enjoy. The game will run on all MIDP-2 devices with a 176x208 screen size so go ahead and check out the screenshots by clicking on the thumbnails below.

    
  

Xing Interactive has announced Quan Yin Mahjongg for PC and Mobile phones, with different features each. The mobile version will not allow players to create their own tiles and puzzles, but instead focus on compactness and gameplay. Xing Interactive intends to package the PC version together with the Mobile version for shelves, but the Mobile version will also be available separately.

Quan Yin is the Chinese Goddess of mercy and compassion but is also identified as a bringer of luck and prosperity. Quan Ying Mahjongg contains enough levels to satisfy Mahjongg beginners as well as experts. The PC version of the game runs on any Windows XP computer and Quan Yin Mahjongg Mobile runs on any MIDP-2 handset with a screen resolution of 176x208.

Xing Interactive has provided us with a few screenshots as well, if you want to check out how the game will look.

Seems the brain training trend is taking over mobile phones as well as Telcogames just announced its IQ Trainer mobile game series. The game will contain a variety of mini-games such as logical puzzles, algebra challenges or spatial thinking tasks.

To calculate your IQ, the game creates an initial IQ score at the beginning and updates it as the player spends time with the game. It is designed to motivate and encourage players to keep playing and improve their IQ score. Competitive multiplayer modes are also included and should add even more longevity to the game.

Kim Shon, Managing Director of Telcogames, Germany says: "A lot of people want games that are both fun and intellectually rewarding. Our game offers exactly this. The Mobile IQ Trainer game series will be attractive to a broad audience, appealing to a variety of ages regardless of the gender."

IQ Trainer will be released worldwide in September 2006, which is when we'll find out if this is another cash-in on Brain Age's success or a genuine, decent effort to bring the thinking man's DS game to mobile phones.

TMS Mobile announced the worldwide availability of the hit logic puzzle Michael Mepham’s Sudoku to be joined by number-based logic game Michael Mepham’s Kakuro. The Michael Mepham’s Sudoku GamePaks, composed of 10 puzzles, can be downloaded directly from the Sudoku mobile website for $4.99. To download the game, simply key in 783658.com ("SUDOKU" on the mobile phone’s keypad) into your mobile Web browser and follow the directions.

"We believe that our first off-deck product is the best mobile Sudoku available and an excellent indicator of the quality of mobile content we plan to feature as we expand," said TMS. "Our direct-to-consumer service is also one of the first to offer direct access to mobile content...which dramatically shortens the process of keying in a mobile Web address."

Michael Mepham’s Sudoku for mobile phones was developed by Breakpoint Ltd., a leading Poland-based game developer and publisher.

Mobile Amusements announces the release of the sequel to the crazy puzzle game for mobile phones - Mouse Panic! 2. The insanely fun game of rat and mouse features 24 brand new puzzles presented in eye-catching colorful graphics.

Guide the hungry mice by laying down cheese trails that lead to their home sweet home. Clear each puzzle level over several zones from The Garden, Old Cellar, and the all time favorite vermin hangout, the Table Top. Prepare for more challenges and go crazy with new puzzles including Mouse Transporters, Breakable Blocks, Base Swappers, Time Bonuses and the Black Rats!

Mouse Panic! 2 features easy to use controls that make for even more engaging and panic-inducing game experience. If the excitement is too much to bear, you can stop temporarily, and when the nerves have settled, you can continue where you left off.

The game has been rolled out across the globe, so if you want these pesky vermin in your cellphone, just press the panic button to alert your service providers.