The nostalgic sight of plummeting Tetris blocks (or Tetrominoes, if you prefer) is sure to foster a warm feeling deep inside any gamer. Right now, we have an insatiable desire to give those L-shaped pieces a loving, yet slightly uncomfortable hug. Nintendo undoubtedly feels the same way, at least judging by all the love they're giving the upcoming touch-enabled Tetris DS.
The chaps over at British Gaming Blog have posted some videos of the game in action, including some showing the game's Push and Touch modes. Don't worry, they're safe for work. The latter mode is a more slow-paced affair, with Tetrominoes awkwardly stacked on top of each other and awaiting the player to spin them about, thus allowing them to slot into each other and disappear. As for the ingenious Donkey Kong-themed Push mode, it seems ideally suited for Wi-Fi multiplayer battles. Each player is relegated to one of the DS screens, with the opponent being mirrored in the bottom screen (i.e. his blocks move upwards). Each player slots Tetrominoes into a cluster of blocks that's initially right in the middle of the two playing fields. Performing well and racking up combos pushes the block cluster away and into your opponent's screen, lessening his maneuvering space and chances of survival.
If that explanation doesn't make sense (and we don't blame you), just check out the videos. A word of warning, though: Turn off the sound. Those catchy old-school remixes will become lodged in your brain for the rest of the day.
[Thanks, JonathanEx!]
[Update: The official Nintendo source.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-14-2006 @ 2:39PM
Apoklypse said...
Tetrominoes? The correct term, without a doubt with 100% certainty is a Tetrad- or Tetrads. But under no circumstances anything else except for Tetris blocks or pieces if you are speaking to the non-inclined.
You want me to name my source? Howard and Nester, in a circa 1990 issue of Nintendo Power. It is like quoting the bible. So it was written, so it shall be done.
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2-14-2006 @ 3:13PM
Neko Tsukimi said...
I saw those videso earlier this morning. I was simply dumbfounded at how awesome everything looked. I especially loved how the push mode looked. Seeing screenshots, I just didn't get it. But now, seeing the videos... March 20 can't come quickly enough. I'm sure I won't be quickly bored.
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2-14-2006 @ 3:17PM
unreal mccoy said...
Tetronimoes is the name Nintendo is giving the pieces in the new push mode. (I think its the name for the Tetrad cluster, not the pieces themselves.)
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2-14-2006 @ 3:33PM
Ludwig Kietzmann said...
I just like the sound of Tetromino, to be honest. You Tetristocrats. :)
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2-14-2006 @ 3:50PM
Josh said...
Just to see if there is anyone else like me, does anyone else not like Tetris? I mean, since I first played the original Tetris for Game Boy, I've never liked the game. It's just boring, and these videos don't get me excited at all for the game, and just to get it all out, I don't like the Metroid Prime games, either.
Does anyone else feel this way?
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2-14-2006 @ 3:59PM
word. said...
I enjoy tetris, but I was beginning to wonder if there was anyone else who doesn't like the Metroid prime series. Super Metroid was one of my favorite games ever, but the 3D Cube versions ruined it for me. I hope we revisit the sidescrolling era more in the generation of gaming systems to come, those were the golden years. Then again, maybe the Revolution will make 3D fun. I expect the Rev, with its new intuative control scheme might be hailed as the first true 3D gaming system.
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2-15-2006 @ 9:14AM
Squints said...
That Touch Mode looks pretty cool.
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2-15-2006 @ 10:14AM
Tom said...
Response to comment #5:
I am in the same boat as you, Josh. I haven't ever liked Tetris, since the first time I played it. Give me Mario or Zelda any day!
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2-15-2006 @ 1:02PM
PodMonkeys said...
I still occassionally like to break out my original gameboy from back in the day, or one of my pocket models to play Tetris.
For me, this one looks really cool. Now if only I had more friends with DS's!
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2-16-2006 @ 12:01AM
theMot said...
response to #5 & #8
YOU'LL LIKE YOUR TETRIS SONNY, OR ELSE!
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2-16-2006 @ 11:10AM
Apoklypse said...
Dang, now that I think about it, Tetrads may be assembled lines on 1 through 4. Now I am going to have to dig out that NP and re-enlighten myself.
I guess Tetrominoes is understandable for the Push and Touch mode, but you won't catch me using the term. Nosiree.
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