DS Touch'n'Drag Tetris release announced
Wi-Fi-Ready Blockbusting Puzzler lands in March
Glorious GameBoy Tetris
Nintendo of America has today announced a 20 March US release date for the latest spin on their all-time classic, the iconic Tetris. Tetris DS will be made available exclusively for Nintendo DS, and will incorporate the use of Nintendo's groundbreaking wireless gaming service.
Tetris enabled the growth and market-dominance of the original GameBoy back in the 1990s and is a frustratingly addictive and simple puzzle title, much-copied but never bettered. SPOnG is looking forward to getting stuck into the block-building game and we are keen to see how well it works dragging the falling blocks on a touchscreen with the DS’s stylus. Surely it can only make the game better and lead to more of those funny, abstract dreams about falling blocks.
The traditional Tetriminos (falling blocks) and line-clearing strategy remain the staples of the game, but the touch screen adds a new element of interactivity. The added bonus is that the game will feature a Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for up to four players to battle it out, along with a host of game modes themed around Nintendo franchises including Mario, Metroid, and Zelda.
Some modes give players special Tetris puzzles to solve. Others feature head-to-head action between two players, or massive wireless battles between 10 DS users, even if only one player has a game card. Players also can log onto a Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to compete in two- or four-player battles. Tetris DS even includes a point-based rating system based on players' battle results. Opponents can see one another's ratings, which indicate their skill levels.
SPOnG spoke to a Nintendo UK representative earlier today, who confirmed that the game will be out in Europe soon after its US release in March. SPOnG will endeavour to find out if Alexey Pajitnov, the genius who designed the original Pentominoes-based game back in the USSR, is still on the royalty gravy train. Last we heard he was known to be working at (whisper it) Microsoft on the Xbox 360's hard drive freebie game, Hexic HD.
Tetris enabled the growth and market-dominance of the original GameBoy back in the 1990s and is a frustratingly addictive and simple puzzle title, much-copied but never bettered. SPOnG is looking forward to getting stuck into the block-building game and we are keen to see how well it works dragging the falling blocks on a touchscreen with the DS’s stylus. Surely it can only make the game better and lead to more of those funny, abstract dreams about falling blocks.
The traditional Tetriminos (falling blocks) and line-clearing strategy remain the staples of the game, but the touch screen adds a new element of interactivity. The added bonus is that the game will feature a Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for up to four players to battle it out, along with a host of game modes themed around Nintendo franchises including Mario, Metroid, and Zelda.
Some modes give players special Tetris puzzles to solve. Others feature head-to-head action between two players, or massive wireless battles between 10 DS users, even if only one player has a game card. Players also can log onto a Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to compete in two- or four-player battles. Tetris DS even includes a point-based rating system based on players' battle results. Opponents can see one another's ratings, which indicate their skill levels.
SPOnG spoke to a Nintendo UK representative earlier today, who confirmed that the game will be out in Europe soon after its US release in March. SPOnG will endeavour to find out if Alexey Pajitnov, the genius who designed the original Pentominoes-based game back in the USSR, is still on the royalty gravy train. Last we heard he was known to be working at (whisper it) Microsoft on the Xbox 360's hard drive freebie game, Hexic HD.
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Comments
majin dboy 10 Jan 2006 16:32
1/11
will certianly be a one to watch.but then i think of all the other spin-offs and realise it will probably be s**t.
but for some reason i have a funny feeling bout this...
but for some reason i have a funny feeling bout this...
Joji 10 Jan 2006 18:33
2/11
No I don't agree with you. A DS version of Tetrs would be a kiler ap for DS if it's good. Only problem is the presence of Meteos on DS.
Tetris helped sell the GB so I see no reason why it shouldn't be a hit on DS. The series has had it's moments and been on almost every games console, but it's spiritual home is on a handheld.
Another title to add to my list then for March, next to Metroid Hunters. Looks like I'm gonna be buying a lot of DS games this year.
Tetris helped sell the GB so I see no reason why it shouldn't be a hit on DS. The series has had it's moments and been on almost every games console, but it's spiritual home is on a handheld.
Another title to add to my list then for March, next to Metroid Hunters. Looks like I'm gonna be buying a lot of DS games this year.
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majin dboy 10 Jan 2006 19:41
3/11
i havnt really made a statement to disagree with.
the reason i said it will "probaly be s**t(and by s**t i mean not as good as the original)" is because of the history of s**t spin offs.
personally i actually think this will be a good game but the recent history of tetris games dictate otherwise.
the reason i said it will "probaly be s**t(and by s**t i mean not as good as the original)" is because of the history of s**t spin offs.
personally i actually think this will be a good game but the recent history of tetris games dictate otherwise.
LUPOS 10 Jan 2006 19:54
4/11
majin dboy wrote:
but the recent history of tetris games dictate otherwise.
and how many of those where made by nintendo?
_____
Joji 10 Jan 2006 20:12
5/11
Indeed Lupos, Nintendo gave balance to the Tetris like Luke Skywalker does the force. After the GB version several other versions were close but no cigar if not worse.
If Nintendo market it properly and heavily it should fly off the shelves. Maybe we might even see a Tetris DS pack grace our game store shelves again. I'm sure many will have good flashback memories of the GB version and invest.
Love the ten player multiplay option, that would be very cool indeed.
If Nintendo market it properly and heavily it should fly off the shelves. Maybe we might even see a Tetris DS pack grace our game store shelves again. I'm sure many will have good flashback memories of the GB version and invest.
Love the ten player multiplay option, that would be very cool indeed.
YenRug 11 Jan 2006 13:15
6/11
Revolution-Europe say it's due May 6th, according to NoE.
majin dboy 11 Jan 2006 13:41
7/11
okay,point taken.regardless of the devolpers,i have lost confideience in tetris games,but as ninty are on this one it should be better.
lets change the topic.........ehhhhhh,Peep Show,any one watch it?its SOOOOOOOOOOS funny.
lets change the topic.........ehhhhhh,Peep Show,any one watch it?its SOOOOOOOOOOS funny.
siberdib 11 Jan 2006 13:47
8/11
I think knowing this is comming to the DS may make me finally give in and get a ds. Theres just to many games that warrent the purchase of the handheld. Ill put it off to see what the re vamped DS looks like first though, and put up with the PSPs average game library at best to tide me over till then. (thinks to himself why didnt I just get a DS in the first place......)
fluffstardx 11 Jan 2006 13:50
9/11
I want a DS unit designed to ape the Game Boy if they do a Tetris pack. You know, beige console with the screen surrounds in grey, A and B in burgundy, all the rest in black...
Jay 11 Jan 2006 16:26
10/11
As far as I can remember, Alexey Pajitnov never made a bean out of Tetris, because he worked for the Russian Academy of Sciences at the time he designed the game, thus rendering all rights/cash to the state. The full story is in the book Game Over, which I would reccommend to all.
There's also an interesting read here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3479989.stm
There's also an interesting read here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3479989.stm
vault 13 11 Jan 2006 16:30
11/11
http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/company/72801.html
As some of you have tried to point out, in fact, Nintendo had LITTLE to do with the success of Tetris other than brand name and a killer handheld system that lasted forever and having the best pack in title ever. In that respect yes, so I guess they had ALOT to do with the success of Tetris. But it was Bullet Proof Software who made pretty much all of the Tetris games to date, sans a few new ones.
THE best version is the Gameboy one. The only one that comes close other than the NES one is Tetris Battle Gaiden for SNES. If you don't know, download it. Tetris + special attacks + wacky selectable characters = fun.
As some of you have tried to point out, in fact, Nintendo had LITTLE to do with the success of Tetris other than brand name and a killer handheld system that lasted forever and having the best pack in title ever. In that respect yes, so I guess they had ALOT to do with the success of Tetris. But it was Bullet Proof Software who made pretty much all of the Tetris games to date, sans a few new ones.
THE best version is the Gameboy one. The only one that comes close other than the NES one is Tetris Battle Gaiden for SNES. If you don't know, download it. Tetris + special attacks + wacky selectable characters = fun.