Nintendo's Tetris DS Demystified
The block-buster will turn up in classic form, yes, but there's much more to the game than that. New screens.
The Tetris everyone loves has ruled unchanged for decades, but with the game's DS debut coming nearer, as Tetris DS Nintendo is mixing it up with six modes of play and by throwing in its own characters for good measure.
Standard is a Mario-flavoured version of standard Tetris, while Touch is largely the same, only less time-focussed and using the touch-screen to move and rotate blocks. In Catch mode, which carries a heavy Metroid tinge, you rotate a block to create 4x4 squares while you avoid dastardly baddies.
As the name suggests, Puzzle mode asks you to choose the right piece to complete puzzles. Perhaps the most challenging mode is the Zelda-themed Mission mode, in which you have to complete mission objectives, such as clearing multiple lines with one block.
The last of the six modes is Push mode, which is also available for sharing through the DS's WiFi connection. Here your challenge is to clear two lines at a time to move the playing field, squashing your opponent into oblivion. Up to 10 players can play at a time and there are various items to collect to spice things up too.
Tetris DS will be out on 20 March in the US with the European release following on 21 April.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games
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