''Code'', known as ''Base 10'' in North America and ''Decode'' in Japan, is a

puzzle A puzzle is a game, Problem solving, problem, or toy that tests a person's ingenuity or knowledge. In a puzzle, the solver is expected to put pieces together (Disentanglement puzzle, or take them apart) in a logical way, in order to arrive at th ...

video game developed by

Skip Ltd. Skip Ltd. (stylized as skip Ltd.) is a Japanese video game developer that has a close relationship with Nintendo. Nintendo has published all of their Japanese releases; with the only notable exception being ''LOL'' (''Archime DS''), which skip ...

and published by

Nintendo is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational video game company headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. It develops video games and video game consoles. Nintendo was founded in 1889 as by craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi and originally produce ...

for the Nintendo DSi's

DSiWare This is a list of games and applications, collectively known as DSiWare, for the Nintendo DSi handheld game console, available for download via the DSi Shop and unplayable on earlier DS models. An update released for the Nintendo 3DS in June 2011 ...

digital distribution service.

Gameplay

The game involves players lining up numbers so that they total up to 10. However, as the numbers resemble those from an LCD display, players can flip around numbers (for example, a 2 can be reversed to become a 5) to complete their objective. The options featured include a sprint game involving 2 to 10 different digits, a puzzle mode and an endless mode. There is even a multiplayer option where two players can go head to head with the other player acquiring Base 10 through DS Download on any Nintendo DS console.

Development

''Code'' was announced for the

service on October 2, 2008 at a Nintendo conference alongside the reveal of the service. It was tentatively titled ''Code 10''. It was eventually released on December 24, 2008 on the DSiWare's launch. It was developed by

and published by

Reception

''Code'' received a 77/100 on Metacritic based on 9 reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.

Kotaku ''Kotaku'' is a video game website and blog that was originally launched in 2004 as part of the Gawker Media network. Notable former contributors to the site include Luke Smith, Cecilia D'Anastasio, Tim Rogers, and Jason Schreier. History ...

felt it looked intriguing, saying it might be their first DSiWare purchase when it releases. PC World called ''Code'' the "bar none best math game ever."

IGN ''IGN'' (formerly ''Imagine Games Network'') is an American video game and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa distri ...

was initially skeptical, but became addicted to its gameplay. Following the Japanese release,

suggested players should purchase ''Code'' -and fellow ''Art Style'' game '' Aquia'' over other early DSiWare releases.

Pocket Gamer ''Pocket Gamer'' is a video game website that focuses on mobile, portable and handheld games. The site launched in 2005 and is published and owned by UK company Steel Media Ltd. The site covers all major portable and mobile gaming formats, incl ...

called it polished, hoping that future DSiWare games would be as good as this. They praised how the audio is performed in the game, comparing it to the puzzle game '' Lumines''. They included it in their list of the best Nintendo DS games of 2009, stating that it was a standout of the ''Art Style'' series. However the game has been criticized for its lack of a left-handed option by Kotaku and GameZone. Nintendo World Report enjoyed the game, but noted that it is only good for right-handed players.

References

{{Skip Ltd. games 2008 video games DSiWare games Nintendo DS-only games Nintendo DS games Puzzle video games Skip Ltd. games Video games developed in Japan Multiplayer and single-player video games Nintendo games