HT Games
Puzzle is the umbrella term; Jigsaw Puzzle is a specific subtype.
| Feature | Puzzle (General) | Jigsaw Puzzle |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Any problem requiring ingenuity to solve | Picture cut into interlocking pieces |
| Types | Logic, word, math, riddle, mechanical, escape room, video game puzzle | Only picture-reassembly |
| Physical Pieces? | Often none (mental) or varied (Rubik's Cube, puzzle box) | Always: die-cut cardboard/wood pieces |
| Goal | Find answer, reach state, decode | Reconstruct the original image |
| Examples | Crossword, Sudoku, Rubik's Cube, Riddle, Lock puzzle | 1000-piece landscape, 3D globe, shaped puzzle |
Key distinction: All jigsaw puzzles are puzzles. Not all puzzles are jigsaw puzzles.
Analogy: "Jigsaw puzzle" is to "puzzle" as "square" is to "rectangle."