Tetris DS Review

Tetris DS - Modes

Tetris DS has a strong single player game that's much more than the usual Tetris fare. Each of the six modes are available for solo play, and the computer AI is surprisingly good. The difficulty can be adjusted, and there are timed and marathon modes for most game types, so the number of challenges almost never ends.

The most exciting feature of Tetris DS is the multiplayer support. You can gather up to ten players in a room to play local wireless games of Tetris, all with just one game cart! You can also use the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to play games against DS owners from around the world. All you need is a wireless internet connection and the Tetris DS game.

Multiplayer options are unfortunately limited to Standard, Push and Mission modes, though as you will see below, the other game types wouldn't work well for multiple players. Each theme features revamped music and visuals from many classic Nintendo franchises, such as Donkey Kong, Mario Bros, the Legend of Zelda, Metroid and more.

Standard Mode

The classic Tetris action is all here, complete with an updated graphical look and feel. Drop and rotate blocks to keep the screen clear for as long as you can manage. You can play solo, gather friends in the room, or try out wireless multiplayer with gamers from around the world.

Touch Mode

With a NES classic game Balloon Fighter theme, Touch Mode is one of the more unique modes in Tetris DS. Using the touch screen you must slide pieces piled in an enormous tower. Move them around to complete lines to rescue the caged balloons at the top. Touch Mode feels like a different game than Tetris and is one of this reviewer's personal favorites.

Push Mode

A mode especially suited for multiplayer action, Push Mode uses the DS dual screens remarkably well. Your field is on the top screen, while your opponent's field appears inverted on the bottom screen. Create lines of two or more to shove the stack of blocks into your rival's area. Push the stack over your opponent's line marker and you win! It's an excellent local or Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection game that feels like a digital version of tug of war.

Catch Mode

The Metroid-themed Catch Mode puts a unique spin on the Tetris formula. Rather than moving blocks to complete lines, players control a core of shapes and must maneuver to catch falling Tetriminos to keep the stack at a minimum. Catch Mode is vastly different than the other modes and requires very different thinking than classic Tetris. It's a great change of pace!

Puzzle Mode

A set of over 200 puzzles are available to tickle your brain. The top screen displays a set of blocks waiting to be completed. The touch screen has a few pieces you can rotate and use in any order. Complete the puzzle with the pieces given. This mode is actually a lot harder than it sounds, and the large number of puzzles will keep you busy for quite a while.

Mission Mode

Another great multiplayer mode, this Zelda-themed game is classic Tetris with specific goals. A mission objective appears on the screen, such as completing two lines at once with a Z-shaped Tetrimino, or using only L-blocks to clear five lines. The first player to complete the goal gets the points! Mission mode is also available in the single player mode and is loads of fun.

Tetris DS - More of the Same?

The classic, infallible Tetris formula makes a triumphant return on the DS, this time with wireless multiplayer support and five great new game modes to enjoy. Even if you're sick of line-making puzzle games, you can still find something good in Tetris DS.