Every single jigsaw puzzle in the store was one of these.

i_stole_ur_taco , 2 months ago

Ah, the Apple Maps of jigsaw puzzles.

Nighed , 2 months ago

That kind of jigsaw can be much more interesting than normal ones, you discover the image (with clues).

Wasgij do something similar, where the box art shows the reaction to the actual jigsaw image.

Coelacanth , 2 months ago

I've done loads of Wasgij jigsaw puzzles with family over holidays, they're great. If anyone here thinks this sounds like a fun idea I encourage you to check them out!

Laticauda , 2 months ago

This just provides a small added challenge, I don't really see an issue . If you want an easier jigsaw they might sell them at a toy store.

Draupnir , 2 months ago

I could see a scenario where someone buys the puzzle because they like the art and what’s on it and then being disappointed they received something very different to put together. If someone wants a challenge then just don’t look at the sample image IMO.

Laticauda , 2 months ago

If it's a spot the difference style thing then the art won't be dramatically different and you still get to have the box art at least.

StephniBefni , 2 months ago

See I like that idea better, I like solving like logic puzzles and word puzzles and stuff, but like I have never liked jigsaws cause it's like 'hey it's the same thing on the box but it has grooves in it now.'

So yeah it would be neat to put it together and then see the differences.

sqw , 2 months ago

i like it. years ago i did a puzzle where the box cover showed an illustration of the past and the actual puzzle was the same scene in the future

Leviathan , 1 month ago

Probably a Wasgij! They're awesome! Sometimes it's like you described, sometimes the box cover is people reacting to the scene you have to put together in the puzzle, sometimes you uncover a mystery. I have like 10 of these, they're my favorite vacation pastime if I'm not traveling or something.

sqw , 1 month ago

that was it!

Vampiric_Luma , 2 months ago

That looks really fun to me but damn, that souvenir store doesn't have any chill if they're only stocking [HARD MODE] puzzles.

tal , 2 months ago

only Minnesota-themed gift shop

Try online?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=minnesota+jigsaw+puzzle

FlyingSquid OP , 2 months ago

I don't want to get a souvenir of somewhere I've been over Amazon. That misses the whole point.

Ejh3k , 2 months ago

A couple years back we did a puzzle that was a weird zoom in on a section of the front cover art. It was very strange, but ultimately fun.

Got_Bent , 2 months ago

Maybe you could just enjoy a nice game of Scrabble instead.

FlyingSquid OP , 2 months ago

I see you saw my thread that included me talking about my mother and evil Scrabble playing.

Coincidentally, I discovered the weirdest fucking game ever today and it is a variant of Scrabble that I can't imagine anyone playing more than once.

Scrabble: The Presidential Edition.

See my post here- https://lemmy.world/post/13734442?scrollToComments=true

Fosheze , 2 months ago

This is a bit of a side note but I remembered you were looking for things to do while you were in MN a while back. If you still are, the National Eagle Center is always fun to visit. It's in Wabasha which is almost exactly an hour drive from Rochester. It's also probably a better place to pick up souvenirs.

FlyingSquid OP , 2 months ago

I appreciate the suggestion! I don't know if I want to drive an hour because just walking around the mall here was exhausting due to how much stress I'm under, but if I'm here long enough- and we have no idea how long we'll be here- it's something to look into.

dmention7 , 2 months ago

I have this exact puzzle!

The small differences actually make it fun to put together, and my spouse and I both enjoyed it!.

7/10
10/10 with rice

FlyingSquid OP , 2 months ago

I guess YMMV with this because this really annoyed me and I just don't see "why aren't I finding the piece with the bird on it even when there's only 100 pieces left?!" for 20 minutes as something fun.

But at the very least, offer some normal puzzles too!

gregorum , 2 months ago

This is what happens when you run out of internet :(

FlyingSquid OP , 2 months ago

It's more 'if we just sit on the internet all Sunday and don't talk to each other, that would probably not be a healthy relationship' thing, If I ran out of internet, there's a very well-stocked bookshelf.

LemmyKnowsBest , 2 months ago

You just described why I've always hated puzzles. And the neck pain and the back pain from leaning over it.

FlyingSquid OP , 2 months ago

I sympathize with the back pain part. I used to be able to spend hours on a puzzle, maybe even get through an easier 1000-piece on a lazy Sunday. Now my back can handle maybe 45 minute stretches before I have to straighten up for a while.

snooggums , 2 months ago

So, why did the puzzles not match the box artwork?

FlyingSquid OP , 2 months ago

Because apparently whoever designs jigsaw puzzles to sell in Minnesota gift shops is an asshole.

I get people not wanting to look at the box to make sure the puzzle is right, but this is just shitty and it adds nothing to the jigsaw puzzle experience apart from unnecessary frustration.

snooggums , 2 months ago

Do most people not want to look at the box while solving a puzzle, or is that a specific puzzle solving demographic?

FlyingSquid OP , 2 months ago

Depending on the puzzle, I might look at the box or I might not. The latter is a bigger challenge can be more fun.

However, I have never wanted to look at the box but not be sure if what I'm seeing on the box is in the puzzle. Someone else said they enjoyed it, but that just sounds maddening to me.

Witchfire , 2 months ago

If my partner and I are anything like the average puzzle enjoyer, we look at the box for the big picture. Mostly until we have enough put together that we don't need it any more. The only time we rely on the box more is when the puzzle is very repetitive with subtle differences

badcommandorfilename , 2 months ago

I think that's the gimmick - it's like a spot the difference once you've done the puzzle and are still in Minnesota with nothing else to do.

FlyingSquid OP , 2 months ago

I also think that's the gimmick. But it's a terrible gimmick. Especially when it's the only kind of puzzle you sell. I'm not taking a Minnesota-themed jigsaw puzzle souvenir with me. And I greatly enjoy jigsaw puzzles and frequently get them as souvenirs.

But this just pisses me off.