Tetris DS Reader Review

Tetris DS is definitely a game worth buying. Tetris was made for the handheld and not for the console (see how bad Tetris Worlds was).

There are several different modes in the game. Single player games are the most addictive and you can play against someone locally or via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Basically, when you play against someone you have to win by not filling the screen all the way to the top with your blocks. In order to make your other opponent lose more easily you can push your lines onto their screen. So wiping out three lines on your screen will cause all of those to come up on their screen. This is pretty much like the "VS CPU" mode on the Standard game mode in single player. As well as the standard Tetris there are some other modes too. "Catch" is where you create a 4x4 set of blocks to make the core explode, "Mission" is where you have to complete objectives (like clear so many lines) before all your hearts go down, "Puzzle" is where you solve some tricky Tetris puzzles, "Touch" is where the stylus finally has some use for this game - by using the stylus you have to clear some blocks by dragging them and the other mode is "Push" where you clear the lines in order to push your opponent down. Out of all these modes I still prefer Standard but if you want a challenge try doing some missions.

Is it just as addictive as the original on Game Boy? Well, although you are in a small space on the touch screen I still think all the addictive elements are still there. Slightly different controls but nothing too drastic. One new thing I like is that you see a placeholder to show you where your block is going to drop.

The graphics are colourful and you get sequences appear on the top screen (like Mario on the NES). I think making the blocks look a bit more 3D-ish could of been put in, though.

As for sound, you get some annoying retro noises in the menus and when playing you get different background music depending on what level you are on. Music can be listened to in the "Options" menu as well if you like. There is Mario, Zelda, Death Mountain, Metroid Charge, Total Yoshi and more music (some has to be unlocked).

I think it is worth getting - not for its online play but for its addicting single player play. Although Mario Kart DS is good for its online modes I don't think Tetris DS does too well online.

Worth getting for Tetris fans. Oh, if you don't know how to play a Tetris game it is all explained in the tutorial offered on the game.