Now all you need is vodka and a blanket.........................don't ask.
Tetris DS is comprised of three different main modes; single-player, multi-player, and Wi-Fi. Single-Player mode in itself has six different modes to choose from. Standard is just what it entitles, standard Tetris with a slight evolution in the gameplay. Move and rotate the falling tetriminos into horizontal lines. The more lines that are cleared at one time the higher the score. Clearing four lines at once is called a Tetris. Players now have the ability to hold a piece for later on in the game and swap it out for the current piece at will. This definitely brings something new to the field. Holding a piece is not only used to save that piece of later, but a good way to get rid of a piece that has no place to fit into.
Catch mode which is one of the more unusual new modes has players rotating a core of blocks. Tetriminos fall from the top screen, while players must catch the pieces in the set core to try and create a 4 x 4 square of blocks. Create a square and it will explode in ten seconds. Add more blocks to increase the amount bonus points. Blow up falling metroids to earn even more points. Rotate the core to increase the chance of creating a set, but don¿t turn the core into a falling piece or the piece will explode which causes the player to lose energy. Miss a falling piece and the energy will drop as well. Getting hit by a metroid is the quickest way to drain energy, but can also come in handy to remove a section of unwanted blocks.
Mission mode has players completing a set objective, whether it being to clear two lines at once or using a specific piece to clear the line. The catch is players start off with a set number of hearts and it decreases as time goes by. It's a clever way of hiding that it's a timed event by having the time in the form of the hearts from the Zelda series. Players can play this mode in two different styles; Marathon mode or time trial.
Puzzle mode provides a set amount of blocks to complete the given lines. There are 200 puzzles in all to complete. To add to the twist the pieces drop automatically. Players select the piece and the rotation of the piece and the game sets them in the field. It may sound simple, but the later on levels can frustrate the best of players out there.
Touch mode has players using the stylus to rotate and move blocks already placed in the field. Double tap the block to rotate it. Move one piece and several from above will fall down and complete put a damper on a players plan.
The last of the six modes is Push. Push has two players playing at the same time on the same field. One starts on top, the other starts on the bottom, but both send their respective pieces towards the center. Lines are made by the pieces in the center. Clear two or more lines and the matrix moves towards the opponent. Just as the name entitles one must push the matrix off the other player's side.
Multiplayer is where Tetris shines. Tetris supports both single cart and multi cart play up to 10 players and Wi-Fi up to four. In wireless multiplayer three different modes are able to be played; standard, mission and push. Different options can be turned on or off including setting the use of items, the difficulty, and teams. Random blocks will drop with the tetriminos. If this block is cleared in a line, the player receives an item. The abilities gained from the items range from, letting tetriminos drop faster, to flipping the playfield. Wi-Fi also has three different play modes. Players can partake in standard 2-player mode with no items, 4-player mode with items, or push mode. Set-up is basically the same from Mario Kart, so new friend codes must be given out. Searching for a game is as easy as choosing which mode one wants to play in if no friends are available.
Along with new game modes Tetris DS shows off a new look. Each mode is styled by a classic Nintendo theme. Nintendo hit the mark with the new retro remix style used. For those that weren't fans or didn't like any of the classic Nintendo games it may be a turnoff; but who doesn't like Mario, Zelda, or Metroid? Along with the looks each mode supports remix's to the classic songs. There are 21 songs in total, 9 of which must be unlocked. The songs are spread out among classics such as Mario, Zelda, Balloon Fight, Metroid, Yoshi's Cookie, Donkey Kong and more. It would have been nice though to hear more classic Tetris songs.
There are some options that Nintendo locked out that can't be turned off. The new addition of the hold box is always on; even in multiplayer. More importantly the infinite rotation trick is still in the game that was first seen in Tetris Worlds on the Game Boy Advance. Thankfully people who abuse this in single player, which makes marathon mode a breeze, can't fully take advantage of it in multiplayer. It is usable in multiplayer, but will cost the player a considerable time sink that will lead to their downfall in the match. Tetris DS is a must own for all DS players or fans of the series.