Space Invaders
(Published on 2. January 2026, 06:01 by juggler)
Normal Sudoku rules apply.
INVADERS - Each invader sums to 10 with a digit in some orthogonally adjacent cell.
DIFFERENCE BOMBS - Digits connected by a jagged bomb symbol always have the same difference.
TURRETS - Strategically place 3 turrets into cells in the bottom row. Each turret has as many missiles as the digit in its cell, and can pivot to fire them upwards or diagonally (45 degrees). A turret can destroy an Invader on a digit N by shooting it N times.
All Invaders must be destroyed!
Solution code: Digits in column 5 that can't be hit by a turret.
Comments
on 8. February 2026, 22:15 by psams
Superb 8 bit graphics!
on 13. January 2026, 15:36 by davidz32z
Fabulous puzzle and I'm so glad I read the comments because I used the pen tool instead of shading for the turrets! This series along with Jugglers discover the rules series are so incredible and we're lucky to have them setting such good puzzles for us!
on 11. January 2026, 18:40 by virus_dave
Such a fun puzzle and clever setting idea ????
on 7. January 2026, 08:41 by silent_rob
Thanks for the awesome puzzle! Great, thematic constraints implemented in a really fun way with perfectly retro visuals - just a pleasure to solve.
on 6. January 2026, 04:44 by MikeMeech
Very cool theme!
on 4. January 2026, 17:32 by The Book Wyrm
Cool theming and a neat puzzle with some cool opening logic.
(Though similar to the below comment, col 5 was the first column I resolved, lol)
on 3. January 2026, 11:37 by BG03
Thank you for sharing this unique idea. I would suggest changing the solution code again though. I was left with only 2 permutations after about 60% of the way through the solve. The first try worked...
on 3. January 2026, 10:12 by MSDOS
Very nice puzzle, loved the ideas here a lot!
on 3. January 2026, 08:26 by Exigus
That was great fun! Thanks!
on 3. January 2026, 06:20 by puzzlelad
How did anyone solve the puzzle but struggle with the solution code?! This was a tough one for me, really enjoyed it though.
on 3. January 2026, 06:19 by egubachu
So much fun! Thank you for this very cool puzzle!
on 2. January 2026, 23:35 by juggler
(easier solution code)
on 2. January 2026, 22:48 by tstaffor
Really fun! I love the way you had the coloring make turrets.
on 2. January 2026, 22:09 by Fool on Hill
Cool puzzle - enjoyed it a lot
on 2. January 2026, 18:28 by Yawnus
Fun and fast-paced sudoku shoot-em-up! The solution code was the trickiest part :)
on 2. January 2026, 15:12 by vfig
earth is saved! surprisingly tricky to get started, and surprisinglt intricate at several points on the way. clever use of layered shading!
on 2. January 2026, 14:05 by QuiltyAsCharged
Fantastic retro style, plus original logic that is really fun to work out! I love how the turrets appear when shaded.
on 2. January 2026, 13:16 by eladv
Wonderful puzzle! I especially loved the constraint "each invader has an adjacent cell that sums to 10 with it". It felt very weak to begin weak, but really added a lot of intricate logic throughout the puzzle, getting gradually stronger and stronger -- a lot like a game of invaders!
@Juggler: The conflict checker seems to think that this puzzle has a king's move constraint (i.e. no two adjacent cells can have the same number).
on 2. January 2026, 07:33 by LJ Jamie
That solution code is gnarly, but this was a super cool puzzle! The puzzle was pretty natural to solve even though it was difficult
