Mario-Themed Tetris Lines Up for DS
The most popular portable puzzle game in the world is being updated for the DS, Nintendo-style. First screens.
The game that helped the Game Boy become one of the best selling systems of all time is coming to the portable's latest stage of evolution. Alexei Pajitnov's thumb-scoring puzzle game Tetris is coming to the DS, and Nintendo has added a few new tricks too.
This new version of Tetris comes with six modes, each mixing up how you tackle the classic block-based puzzler.
In Standard mode, you do as you always have, forming lines out of the falling blocks. The only other mode Nintendo is talking about now is Touch, in which you, somewhat predictably, use the stylus and touch-screen to drag and rotate blocks to form lines.
Thanks to the simplicity of the concept, Nintendo has been able to use the DS's extra horsepower for other things, such as 10-person local multiplayer, where you and up to nine friends can play from just one cartridge. There are also online multiplayer modes for up to four people.
And all of this comes with that distinct Nintendo feel. For instance, during the Standard mode, you'll see Mario running through Super Mario Bros levels in the background. Nintendo's colourful stable of mascots will be littered throughout the game.
Look for the blocks to start falling at winter's end when Tetris DS hits stores on 20 March.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games
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