It uses similar nonogram mechanics to Picross DS, but adapted to a three-dimensional environment by adding an extra axis blocks can go on.

A sequel, Picross 3D: Round 2, was released for the Nintendo 3DS in Japan in October 2015, in North America in September 2016, and in Europe and Australia in December 2016.

[1] While Picross presents a rectangular grid of squares, which must be filled in to create a picture, Picross 3D uses a rectangular prism made of a number of smaller cubes, and must be chipped away in order to construct an image in three dimensions.

If an attempt is made to break a cube that is part of the image, the game will count this as a strike.

Early on, the game will show players "technique" tutorials to help them refine their puzzle-solving skills.