# Big Bad Sudoku Book

> Challenging Sudoku game with smart hints and arcade-style scoring. (iPhone/iPad app by Bad Weasel, LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/big-bad-sudoku-book/id364907966 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Bad Weasel, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/364907969)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Board, Puzzle
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 1,539 App Store ratings · 304 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 4.3 · 48 MB
- Languages: American English, Danish, Dutch, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, European Portuguese and 3 more
- Released: 2010-04-01
- Data updated: 2026-08-25
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/big-bad-sudoku-book/id364907966/reviews.md

## What is Big Bad Sudoku Book?

The only sudoku game to reach the top of the app store charts.  Has been ranked as the #1 app in the overall iPad chart in 10 countries including the United States.  A top 10 game in 72 countries!

It's been called the "Best Sudoku Game on ANY platform". Sudoku Book is an essential game for every iPhone or iPad. It's been featured by Apple in What's Hot, New and Noteworthy, Game Center Games, Game Starter Kit, and recently in Popular Puzzlers.

If you like Sudoku you have to try Big Bad Sudoku Book.  It's our opinion that many other versions of the game sort of take the fun out of it.  They won't let you enter in wrong numbers, and if you ask for a hint they straight up give you the answer to a cell.  Why not just put up a puzzle and solve it for you?  I'll tell you why, cause that's not fun!  Our approach is a lot different.  Our hints guide you to answers without flat out giving it away.  We provide the tools you need to solve the puzzle with your brain, just like a real paper sudoku book but better!

*** "If Apple made a sudoku game I think it would look like this" - Dytavio ***

Change The Look!!  Version 3 adds a fun twist on the classic game with new downloadable themes and challenging new puzzle book campaigns. But this is not a freemium app.. Sudoku Book's core functionality is all included.  It has unlimited free play in all levels and all the same features as the previous version plus more.

*** "The whole look is perfect... This is the best sudoku interface of the five sudoku apps I have downloaded. I suspect the rest will be removed from my iPad" - GrayerBeard ***

Puzzle scoring brings an arcade game feel to sudoku and provides a metric for challenges. Sudoku Book uses an exclusive method of scoring games based on the difficulty of each answer - not based on time.  Now there are two parts to the puzzle, how to solve it and how to get a higher score.

We listen to our users and have added many features based on user requests.  Tech support is available within the app as a direct email to the developer.  And we respond.  Already in version 3 we've been in contact with many users and are fixing things based on their input.

*** The "Best Sudoku got better. Still the most like pen and paper. I love the interface. New changes made the best better." - pluto6 ***

Sudoku Book 3 adds new puzzle types and a new difficulty level.  All puzzles are guaranteed to have a single solution and be solvable without guessing. Harder puzzles do require some advanced solving techniques. 

Also added are many new user requested features like auto removal of marks, number counts (how many of each number is on the board), and the ability to turn off manual highlighting and the mistake smudges.

Optimized for the iPhone5 screen!

## Key features

- Smart hints that guide without giving answers
- Downloadable themes and puzzle book campaigns
- Arcade-style puzzle scoring based on difficulty
- Unlimited free play across all levels
- Auto removal of marks and number counts
- New puzzle types and difficulty levels

## What do users think of Big Bad Sudoku Book?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- ⭐ Excellent Sudoku game
- 👍 Clear and easy-to-use interface
- 🧠 Keeps the mind active
- 🕰️ Great time-passer
- 🔢 Variety of difficulty levels

**Cons**

- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 💤 Slow performance, especially with ads
- 📢 Intrusive ads in paid version
- 🤏 Small number pad and buttons

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes when trying to start a new game
- Scores not saving properly
- Pencil marks not working as expected

**Most requested features**

- Update app to support latest iOS versions
- Add more puzzle books/levels
- Improve performance and reduce ads
- Enlarge number pad and buttons

## Recent user reviews (10 of 304)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/big-bad-sudoku-book/id364907966/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Please update for iOS

*2025-07-30, version 3.2*

I loved this game. ❤️❤️❤️Upgraded my phone from 8 to 15 and now I have lost the game app because my new iPhone has a newer version iOS and this game didn’t transfer to my new phone. 💔😟 Now, I regret upgrading my phone. Please update your app to work on the newer iOS please.

### 5/5 — Best Sudoku App Ever

*2023-05-12, version 3.2*

I just wish this would work on my new iPads. This App really was the best ever. RIP Weasel

### 3/5 — Wish it would be updated

*2021-04-25, version 3.2*

This was my favorite Sudoku app.  I really wish the developers would update it for the new iOS so I could play it again.

### 5/5 — Please upgrade

*2019-03-06, version 3.2*

Love your version of sudoku!!!
I think your UI is the best, please update this version to work with the lastest IOS.

### 5/5 — update please

*2019-02-01, version 3.2*

great app，can you update it

### 4/5 — Update

*2018-07-15, version 3.2*

When are you going to update the game so it works with iso 11. I love the game. I have it on my iphone now but would like to play on the iPad. It keeps asking me that it needs an update

### 1/5 — Big Book

*2018-03-19, version 3.2*

Useless. Update please. Wasted my money on this one

### 4/5 — Compatibility for IOS 11

*2018-03-12, version 3.2*

Dear Developer,
Writing this review — not sure how else to advise you — to update the app so it becomes compatible for IOS 11. I need my daily dose of Sudoku to sharpen my mind and I would rather not download some other app. Which clearly states how much I love your app! 😊 But please update it soon! Thanks!

Mike

### 1/5 — Update needed

*2018-02-24, version 3.2*

Developer needs to provide an update to work with iOS 11.

### 1/5 — Needs an update!

*2018-02-11, version 3.2*

This a very old app. I can no longer play because it doesn’t work with my operating system. Bad Weasle!

## Frequently asked questions about Big Bad Sudoku Book

### What is Big Bad Sudoku Book?

Big Bad Sudoku Book is a highly-rated Sudoku game that aims to replicate the feel of a traditional paper puzzle book while offering enhanced digital features. It focuses on providing a fun and challenging experience with smart hints and a unique scoring system.

### How does the hint system work?

Unlike other Sudoku apps, this game's hints guide you towards the solution without directly revealing the answer to a cell. This approach encourages you to use your brain and solve the puzzle yourself, similar to a real paper Sudoku book.

### What are the scoring mechanics?

The game features an arcade-style scoring system that is based on the difficulty of each answer, not on the time taken to solve. This adds a new layer of challenge, as you aim to solve puzzles efficiently and achieve a higher score.

### Is this app free to play?

The core functionality of Big Bad Sudoku Book is included, offering unlimited free play in all levels. It is not a freemium app, meaning all features are accessible without additional purchases for core gameplay.

### What new features have been added?

Version 3 introduces new downloadable themes, challenging puzzle book campaigns, new puzzle types, and an additional difficulty level. User-requested features like auto removal of marks, number counts, and the ability to turn off manual highlighting have also been implemented.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.2 — 2013-02-16

Fixed Game Center Achievement reporting.
Other minor bug fixes.

### 3.1 — 2012-09-29

* Optimized for iOS6 and the larger retina display of the iPhone5.
* Fixed a bug with the game appearing to hang while reporting scores to the server.
* Unlocking the next puzzle book quicker.
* Fixed a bug with scoring where it wasn't awarding difficulty bonuses.
* Round Pen on the iPad now floats around again. (user requested!)
* Fixed sound issues with background music.
* Fixed the default Game Center leaderboard category. Game Center scores now appear correctly (no scores were lost).
* Created new very large 'Pen' pads for the iPhone 5 to make good use of that larger screen.
* Changed the name back to Big Bad Sudoku Book

### 3.0 — 2012-08-08

This is a major update. Added many new user requested features like auto removal of marks, number counts (how many of each number is on the board), and the ability to turn off manual highlighting and the mistake smudges. More game options.  New puzzle types.  New high score and statistics system.

Also now has In App Purchases of skins/themes and puzzle book packs.  Also has some free downloadable content.

### 2.2 — 2010-11-03

Supports/allows background audio - play internet radio apps, soma fm via safari, or ipod music while playing the game.

### 2.1.1 — 2010-09-30

Version 2.1.1:

Fixed crashing under iOS 3.1.3.
Fixed hanging/crashing about 10 seconds in (facebook check).
Fixed crash when reporting 50th campaign score to game center.
Fixed backwards game center leader boards.

Version 2.1 - Updates for iOS 4.1 - Added:

* Game Center Support, Leaderboards and Achievements. (Only on iPhone and iPod Touch - Requires iOS 4.1)
* Fixed minor bugs:
   - Campaign Mode puzzled played across multiple load sessions now correctly unlock the next puzzle.
   - The timer no longer sticks.
   - Auto import of puzzles from Facebook friends – now ignores puzzles that had previously been imported.  If you want to import a puzzle a second time just use the facebook app to find it and click on the link.
   - Improved the readability of some of the numbers in the status font.
   - Added a Help button to take you to the user guide on our website. (requires an internet connection)
   - Sound Off mode now allows background music (requires a full restart of the application after turning off sound effects).

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## More apps by Bad Weasel, LLC

- [Math Speed Drill](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/math-speed-drill/id918700336)

All apps by Bad Weasel, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/364907969

## Related topics

[duodoku](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/duodoku) · [ubook](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ubook)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-25.*