The premise of “Zendoku” for the Nintendo DS is simple: 1) Pick a player, 2) Battle your enemy with your unstoppable Sudoku style and 3) Hopefully celebrate victory. The problem with this game, put out by Eidos label Secret Stash Games, is unfortunately the game itself.

Don’t get me wrong, “Zendoku” has its moments, but if you’re a Sudoku player like myself, “Zendoku”‘s inexplicable swap of pictures for numbers is a mind-numbing death sentence.

That’s right. Some genius thought it would be cute to take away the numbers, swap in pictures of dragons, hearts, temples and such to play Sudoku with.

What!? Why?!

To make things worse, when you’re not freaking out about what picture you’re missing in your column, row or square, your opponent slows you down by making you do things like break bricks with the stylus or blow into the DS to move mice out of the way while he (or she) siphons your energy bar.

It’s all a frustrating, wacky brain twister that left me with more of a headache than anything else.

To be fair, the game touts a classic Sudoku mode, but that’s okay. I’ll stick to the books I get at the market. At least I can throw those at the wall in frustration without breaking an expensive piece of electronic equipment.

Also (because I know you care): If you’ve decided to spend your day playing “GTA IV”‘s multiplayer mode, I’ve got a tip for you. Continually grab health and body armor and when you’re shooting at people, instead of holding the trigger down to auto fire, tap it continually and watch the bodies pile up. I just hit a record 17 kills with only 3 deaths. I know, I’m awesome.