Sudoku
This is the country's flagship sudoku title. It features the original and prestigious hand-made sudoku puzzles from Nikoli, the Japanese inventors of the present-day form of the puzzle.
Sudoku appeared in The Times in late 2004 and the reaction was phenomenal. Sudoku was an overnight sensation, an enjoyable and absorbing new form of relaxation that was simple to learn, and challenging for people of all ages and abilities.
Sudoku magazine appeared in April 2005, the first dedicated title to appear outside Japan. In spite of the launch, subsequently, of myriad me-too products, it remains Britain's best-selling sudoku title.
The magazine features hand-crafted sudoku puzzles which somehow establish a connection between compiler and solver, because the fact that a human has created the puzzles really enhances the solving process.
Eighty percent of the puzzles in the magazine are sudoku puzzles. Other puzzles featured are equally challenging brainteasers from Japan: Killer Sudoku, Loop the Loop (Slitherlink), Bridges (Hashi), Kakuro, Futoshiki, Suguru and the inventive Tatami. We also showcase new and creative puzzles from time to time, such as Campixu and Round the Block.
Designed to suit solvers of a range of abilities, the puzzles in this title are categorised into three difficulties, mild, medium and hard, with puzzles ascending in difficulty in each section.
There are detailed step-by-step instructions, with diagrams, on how to begin solving a sudoku. Each issue offers a competition and a free pencil.
At Christmas, there is also a special bonus-size issue featuring 96 pages and over 150 puzzles.
The magazine is a convenient A5 size, so it is easy to carry around. The design and layout of the magazine are clear and simple, and it is printed in full colour on high-quality paper. You will notice Japanese illustrations on some pages; these characters are characteristic of the Japanese publisher, Nikoli, the creators of these puzzles. Sudoku is available on subscription.