Hitori, Nurikabe or Norinori: Which Should You Learn First?

If you like Sudoku and want something new, these three are good next steps. They look alike (a grid, shaded squares, one right answer), but each rewards a different kind of thinking. Here is how they compare.

At a glance

Hitori: the scanner's puzzle

Every square has a number, so there is always something to look at. Your first moves come from spotting patterns in a row or column, such as a number sandwiched between two equal ones. If you enjoy scanning for repeats, Hitori gives you a quick foothold. The hard part comes later, when the connectivity rule starts to matter. Learn the four main moves.

Nurikabe: the builder's puzzle

The numbers here are island sizes, and everything else becomes one connected wall. You are constantly asking "can this island still reach its size?" and "where is the wall forced to go?" It is more spatial than Hitori, and it suits people who like to picture shapes. Learn the five main deductions.

Norinori: the quiet one

There are no numbers at all, only the outlines of regions. Each region holds exactly two shaded squares, and shaded squares pair off like dominoes that never touch. It looks sparse at first, but small regions give you your first certainties, and then the dominoes push you along. Learn the five main deductions.

Our suggestion

If you want the gentlest start, begin with Hitori, because the numbers give you something to latch onto. If you prefer drawing shapes to numbers and grids, try Nurikabe first. Come to Norinori for shapes and colors.

Whichever you choose, the habits are the same. Trust that there is one solution, mark what you know and go from there. See five habits of careful solvers.