Each game is played against the clock. Opposing the picross tradition of black and white squares, the puzzles are set in stone and are picked out by Mario with a Hammer and Chisel. When the player solves a puzzle correctly, the black-and-white representation becomes colored and animated, and the game shows the player the title of the puzzle. When the player finishes a level, Mario will congratulate them on their progress and either bow (in the first and last levels) or give a thumbs up (in all other levels).