Classic Game Play Brought Up To Date (Tetris (DS))

Member Name: Andy.mack

Product:	Tetris (DS)
Date:	10/02/09 (126 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Still as addictive as ever, 6 Different Game modes

Disadvantages: The Push game is a bit disappointing

Ever since I started playing computer games there was always one game that I always seemed to have an affinity to. I am talking of course about Tetris, which was originally released in 1989 on the Game boy. Nowadays it has been given a makeover and rereleased in 2006 on the Nintendo DS. As Jenny has a similar history with the game, I decided it would make a good Christmas present for her to go along with her new DS.

So what is Tetris I hear you ask? Well in short it's a puzzle based game that requires the player to manoeuvre a selection of different shaped blocks into a complete line. Once arranged in this format the line disappears and this is how the player scores points. The more lines you clear the faster the game becomes as you advance up through the various levels, with each one being harder than the one before. The original game mode has 13 different levels, but this time round Nintendo and game developers have come up with a variety of different game styles to compliment the original version.

In fact in addition to the original game mode there are 5 new varieties of the game, each adding something unique. The original version has three different styles of play which include the standard game, an against the computer mode where you both try to achieve a certain objective before the other. The final variation on the standard game is a simple line clear where the aim of the game is to start with a certain height and level and clear as many of the lines as possible. All three games can vary from the very simple to very difficult depending on how well you do and which level you start on.

The next mode is in fact one of my favourite additions to the original Tetris game. They have called it catch and the basic principle of the game is that you control a central block. As additional blocks fall from the top of the screen to the bottom you attempt to catch them and attach them to your original block. The aim is to create a 4 x 4 solid block that charges your health and helps you to score points. As you progress through the game it gets quicker and harder to create the squares and you also have to make sure your energy doesn't run out or it's game over.

For the third variation they have added a Mission mode. The idea is to try and achieve certain goals before the time runs out. This game is quite self explanatory and can be played as a time trial or a marathon version. The marathon is a simple against the clock mode that gets harder with each mission. The time trial involves a different set of missions and the aim is to carry out a series of missions and see how quickly you can complete them all.

Next up there is the puzzle mode, which compromises of 200 different puzzles, which you have to complete. In order to do so you are given a selection of blocks from 3 to 5and you have to work out in which orientation and direction the blocks must be placed to clear the screen. This can take a lot of thought and like the Catch game is a nice addition to the Tetris library.

The fifth variety is the Touch version which compromises of a large tower and 5 levels. There are various different shapes all placed on top of each other and you have to move these around in order to release the balloons from the box on top. To do this you simply move the shapes using your stylus and clearing rows in the normal way by completing them. The other game option within this game is the touch puzzle, which works slightly differently. You still use the stylus to move the blocks but this time it's only a row or two at a time. There are various different goals you must achieve whilst playing and there are 50 different puzzles.

I've still not really got to grips with the Push game which completes the set. You play against the computer in up to 5 different difficulties. The aim of the game is to complete lines and push the computer back towards its own line. You start on the top screen and he appears to drop blocks on you trying to push you back as well. So far I haven't got to grips with it and it seems the poorest of the 6 different game methods within Tetris DS.

The game still holds all of its old charm though. Each different shape is still represented with a different colour and the game creators haven't gone over the top in trying to make the game look to modern. It still retains a lot of its old charm that made the game so popular. It has been fused a little with a Mario theme to keep it in line with the Nintendo platform but that is clearly just a gimmick. The graphics while perhaps a little sharper still give you the classic game play feel and I think that is an important feature to have retained.

Each game has a varying difficulty making it a good game for all ages and one that keeps you entertained. Between Jenny and I, we keep trying to beat each other's high scores on each game, meaning the game has an even longer game play time than it might have if only one of us were playing.

The controls too are relatively easy. For the main menu screens it is simply a case of navigating using the DS Stylus. Once in the games you use a combination of the arrow keys to line up the blocks and the a and b buttons to rotate the shapes to get a better fit. Again the simple controls make the game more accessible to much younger players and in fact it is suggested on the box that this game is suitable for ages 3 and up.

I thought that the 5 new game modes were also a nice addition and perhaps give the game a bit of longevity as you try to master all the different formats. It's one of the aspects I like about games on the DS is the amount they put onto each game cartridge. You certainly seem to get value for money with the DS games, which is something I really didn't feel I got from games on the Sony PSP. It also offers something different for those people like me who grew up playing Tetris; it doesn't just leave you with the same old game but some varieties of the classic version.

Overall I was very impressed with this title on the Nintendo DS. It mixes a lot of new features with the classic version, which makes it appeal to new and old players of the Tetris games. I also think that like the original version on the Game boy this is the sort of game that really suits the Nintendo DS. It's an addictive game that doesn't require a huge screen and can keep you entertained for hours on long journeys. If like me you are a fan of the original Tetris, or you simple enjoy puzzle games then I would honestly say this is still one of the best available, even 20 years after its original release.

Amazon: £24.96
Amazon Marketplace: £21.58
Age: 3+

Summary: 20 years after it's original Nintendo release and still going strong