Tetris 99 Review Roundup

Tetris 99 was a surprise reveal during Nintendo's recent Switch Direct presentation. It's Tetris's take on the battle royale genre, as 99 people battle it out to be the last brick-layer standing.

As it's an online multiplayer game, you'll need a Switch Online membership to play, however the game itself is free-to-play. As with last year's Tetris Effect, it's an interesting new twist on a series that's been around for nearly as long as gaming itself. However the question remains: is it any good?

Our critic, Peter Brown, certainly thinks so, as he awarded the game an 8/10 in our Tetris 99 review. For more reviewers' opinions, read on below; alternatively, check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic for the full picture on Tetris 99's critical reception.

GameSpot -- 8/10

"Tetris 99 may not be a proper battle royale game, but it taps into the same emotional well, where a large number of players vying for supremacy creates an ever-present intensity that's difficult to shake. Add that layer to a game that's plenty capable of instilling tension on its own, and you've got a riveting experience that even at its worst is still a game very much worth playing. There's obvious room for improvement, but that's the last thing on your mind when the pieces start falling and the players start dropping." -- Peter Brown [Full review]

IGN -- 8.5/10

"Tetris 99 is a maniacally intense battle royale that forces you to make strategic decisions beyond just where to drop your next piece. This is Tetris on steroids, where a good run can quickly turn into a disaster and a bad run can turn into a surprising comeback. There’s a lot of luck involved, which can lead to some unfair-feeling knockouts, but it’s quick and easy to jump back in. This nerve-wracking and utterly delightful take on one of the greatest games of all time feels perfect on Switch, and on its own it justifies the $20 annual cost of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription." -- Steven Petite [Full review]

Nintendo Life -- 9/10

"The complete oddball of the family, Tetris 99 offers a truly unique way to play the tried-and-tested classic, even if the overall package feels a little lightweight. Playing live against 98 others is chaotic, and the action feels fast, precise, and wonderfully addictive. It's seriously difficult, too--we'd fancy our chances in Fortnite over this any day--and we're impressed with the fact that it's forced us to play the game with a completely different approach to our usual slow-and-steady ways. Signing up for Nintendo Switch Online just to play this game might be a bit of a stretch, but if you're already a member, what are you waiting for? It’s free, and it might just become your next favourite time sink." -- Ryan Craddock [Full review]

Pocket Gamer -- 4/5

"Tetris 99 is chaotic, ridiculous, and a little barebones, but it's also a damn good game of Tetris." -- Ric Cowley [Full review]