Fifteen
The object is to move the squares around until they are in sequence. Only a square that is adjacent to the Blank square can be moved. Move a square by single clicking the left mouse button on a numbered square that is adjacent to the Blank square. In the example on the Right, only the 5 or the 15 can be moved, because they are the only numbers adjacent to the Blank square.
I seem to remember that it was claimed that there were several million possible solutions to the Fifteen puzzle. I will let you know when you successfully complete the puzzle.
Note: The puzzle will be considered "Successfully Completed" when all 15 numbers are in sequence and in serpentine order... even if the puzzle is not in the same order as the "Suggested Example". Shown on the Right is only one possible solution.
The puzzle colors are a randomly picked gradient, with "1" being the darkest and "15" being the lightest. I have included the option to "Solve" the puzzle, and another option called "New", which will start a new puzzle. All options, including "Help" and the "About" page are available by clicking the Right Mouse Button once.
The old handheld game had many impossible or unsolvable puzzles. I have included the "Format" option that allows many of those previously unsolvable puzzles to be solved.
There is a "Cheat" option in the menu. To use it, simply click "Cheat" in the Menu, then click on any numbered square and it will do a "Hyper-Jump" to the "Blank" square. You are normally stuck when you get 13 numbered squares in order but the last two are reversed. For example, you might have 1-13 in order, then 15, then 14. This would be a "Stuck" situation, but now, with "Cheat" mode, you can finish it. Just click "Cheat", then click the 15 or the 14 (whichever one is further from the "Blank" square). That should allow you to finish the puzzle.
Menu Options
The Main Menu is shown on the Right. It is accessed by clicking the Right Mouse Button. About displays the About Box with information about Fifteen and the programmer.
Help, of course, will display this Help information.
Controls, will open more Menu choices, which are described below.
Quit, will end the program.
Click Scores to open the Scores options shown at right. Best Scores shows the Fastest Time and the Lowest Number of Moves on this PC.
Average Scores shows the Averages for this run only.
All Scores will list All of the Scores for this run only.
Click Colors to open the Color options shown at right. Select allows you to choose any Color you like for the BackGround Color.
Random will choose a BackGround Color for you. The entire puzzle will have the same BackGround Color, but each puzzle will be different.
Increment, displayed in the example at the top of this screen, will create a randomly picked gradient, with 1 being the darkest and 15 being the lightest.
Enable Timer will toggle both the Timer and the Move Counter - On/Off. Enable Light Display, will light up the numbers in sequence when a puzzle has been successfully completed. Note: If this feature is disabled, the Sound feature, described below, will also be disabled.
Enable Win Sound produces a series of sounds to go with the Light Show when the puzzle has been solved.
Select Font (added Feb 21, 2009) will create a Puzzle using Icons from whichever Font the user selects.
The Characters will be chosen at Random, so the Puzzle should be different every time. Using one of these Fonts adds a degree of difficulty. I believe it makes the Puzzle not only more challenging but also more enjoyable.
New Example generates a New, Randomly selected Example. The current Puzzle is not changed.
New Puzzle will create a New, Randomly selected Puzzle and Example.
The Colors will also be New unless you have selected a specific Color as described above.
The Cheat Menu has the following two options:
Hyper-Jump will cause the number of your choice to do a Hyper-Jump to the Blank square. To use it, simply click the Cheat Option in the Menu. Then, when you are ready, click on any numbered square and it will do a Hyper-Jump to the Blank square.
Solve will Solve the current Puzzle to match the Example.
All of your Options, along with the best (lowest) Score & Time, will automatically be saved for you in a file called Fifteen.Opt. If you delete that file, a new one will be created the next time you play. This would result in the loss of your best scores, however.