Tetris DS review

The dream-robbing blocks are back and more drug-like than ever

12DOVE Verdict

Pros

  • +

    It's Tetris - now with more Nintendo

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    Classic tunes are a plus

  • +

    Buffet of modes

  • +

    multiplayer games

Cons

  • -

    Not all the modes are online

  • -

    Puzzle masters schooling your ass

  • -

    Maybe some voice chat

  • -

    guys?

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We're going to assume you know exactly what Tetris is, so let's jump right into why Tetris DS may be the best version of this seminal falling-blockpuzzler you've ever played. Aside from the unchanging-but-ever-popular regular game (which is dressed up with some Mario themes), there are five other ways to bust some blocks - a handful of which you can take online.

On the left pair of screen above,you'll see 10 people fighting in Standard mode with just one copy of the game. You can do this with or without thekinds ofpower-ups the Mario crew throw around:things likeline-clearing turtle shells and yellow stars that only give you the long, blue blocks. The Mario Kart lightning bolt even shows up. It makes it so your opponents can't rotate the damn blocks. How cheap is that? You wouldn't think an online, four-playerTetris match could heat up like a skull-thumping deathmatch, but oh, it can.

To the right is what you see while playing single-player Tetris. As you bang away the blocks, Mario runs through some classic levels from the NES days. It's kind of pointless, really. Not obtrusive, but not an essential part of the experience, either. But it's kind of cool, just the same.

More info

GenreFamily
DescriptionSimple and hard to get excited about, but its Nintendo wallpaper and online capabilities should be just enough.
Platform"DS"
US censor rating"Rating Pending"
UK censor rating""
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
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Brett Elston

A fomer Executive Editor at GamesRadar, Brett also contributed content to many other Future gaming publications including Nintendo Power, PC Gamer and Official Xbox Magazine. Brett has worked at Capcom in several senior roles, is an experienced podcaster, and now works as a Senior Manager of Content Communications at PlayStation SIE.