Tetris DS
- “Do you Tetris with others?”
- —Tetris DS tagline
Tetris DS is a puzzle title for the Nintendo DS featuring familiar Tetris gameplay with a Nintendo theme and several new modes. Since the first Tetris handheld title was released on the original Game Boy, the series has been a great system-seller, sometimes even releasing multiple titles per system under the guidance of Nintendo and other publishers. Tetris DS was developed internally by Nintendo. However, to set it apart from the previous games in the series, the game capitalized on Nintendo's famous retro games and characters, which include the Mario franchise, as the backdrops and inspiration for the Tetris action. The game is also part of Nintendo’s Touch! Generations series of games, "intended for a variety of demographics".
Gameplay
The uniting theme behind any Tetris title is to arrange Tetriminos, shapes made of four colored blocks, into horizontal lines in a 10 block wide well. When a row of the well is filled with blocks, regardless of color, the row will disappear and a player’s score will increase. Bonus points are awarded for clearing more than one row at once. Clearing four lines is called a "Tetris," and is worth the most points. However, as soon as one mass of blocks is laid, another begins to fall. If the blocks ever overflow out of the arena, the player fails. Unlike most other puzzlers, such as Puzzle League, the blocks do not always come in the same arrangement. Instead, there are seven different block patterns. They may be rotated as a group, even when first landing on other blocks or the floor, but their form will not change. Also, players may speed up the game by warping blocks to the floor in certain modes instead of waiting for them to fall. Markers at the floor show where they will land. It is also possible to "hold" a Tetrimino until it is needed later.
Tetris DS sets itself apart through its wide variety of modes. Each mode keeps the same basic rules intact, but is very liberal with them. Also, up to ten people can play against each other at once with local multiplayer. The main draw of the game is the utilization of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which allows for multiplayer games for two to four players.
This title is truly a compilation of six game play modes. Each of the modes is themed after a particular famous Nintendo title and utilizes its own goals and rules. However, all revolve around the original Tetriminos concept.
Modes
Standard
- Play Modes: Single player, local multiplayer, Wi-Fi
- Theme: Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Donkey Kong, Balloon Fight, Ice Climber, Excitebike, Devil World, Urban Champion, Duck Hunt, Tetris
Standard mode is a version of the basic Tetris game; it has no new twists or new rules in single-player mode compared to other games based on the Tetris Guideline. However, it does keep the ability to rotate blocks after they have landed, which was introduced in Tetris Worlds. This concept is relatively new to the series, but it was altered for this version, and a time limit in multiplayer mode adds back some of the challenge that it took away when the infinite spin concept was first introduced.
Each time ten lines are cleared, the theme of the level changes and difficulty increases. Slightly modernized game footage from one of Nintendo's classic games encased in what appears to be a television can always be seen on the top screen while a sprite from the same game sits to the right of the play field on the touch screen. The background songs are remixes of classic songs from the featured game. However, the meters and play field are never altered. In multiplayer mode, the top screen is dedicated to the opponents' play fields.
In multiplayer mode, clearing multiple lines will dump more blocks onto the player with the target mark on their play field on the top screen. An additional offensive element comes in the form of items. The game gives players the choice to play traditional Tetris or to play with items inspired by Super Mario Bros. and the Mario Kart series.
Marathon levels
| Level | Lines | Top screen theme | Touch screen background | Touch screen sprite | Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0-9 | Super Mario Bros. World 1-1 |
World 1-1 Flagpole and Castle |
Mario | Mario Tetris |
| 2 | 10-19 | Super Mario Bros. World 1-1 |
World 1-1 Brick Blocks with revealed Vine |
Goomba | Mario Tetris |
| 3 | 20-29 | Super Mario Bros. World 1-2 |
World 1-2 Bonus room |
Green Koopa Troopa | Basement Tetris |
| 4 | 30-39 | Super Mario Bros. 3 Grass Land |
Grass Land | Raccoon Mario | Mario Tetris 3 |
| 5 | 40-49 | Super Mario Bros. 3 World 1-1 |
Grass Land | Frog Mario | Mario Tetris 3 |
| 6 | 50-59 | Super Mario Bros. 3 World 1-1 |
Grass Land Castle interior |
Tanooki Mario | Mario Tetris 3 |
| 7 | 60-69 | Super Mario Bros. World 1-2 |
Underground level | Lakitu | Basement Tetris |
| 8 | 70-79 | Super Mario Bros. World 4-3 |
World 6-2 Piranha Plants |
Super Mushroom | Mario Tetris |
| 9 | 80-89 | Super Mario Bros. World 4-3 |
World 4-3 Balance Lift |
Crouching Luigi | Mario Tetris |
| 10 | 90-99 | Super Mario Bros. World 2-4 Bowser fight |
World 2-4 | Bowser | Bowser Battle |
| 11 | 100-109 | The Legend of Zelda Hyrule |
Old Man's cave | Link | Zelda Tetris |
| 12 | 110-119 | Metroid Brinstar's first room |
Mother Brain's lair | Crouching Samus (from Disk System version) | Metroid Charge |
| 13 | 120-129 | Donkey Kong 25m |
75m | Pauline | Tetris DK |
| 14 | 130-139 | Balloon Fight Phase-01 |
Balloon Trip | Balloon Fighter | Balloon Tetris |
| 15 | 140-149 | Ice Climber Mountain 01 |
Mountain 01 Bonus Area | Popo holding flag | Tetris Climber |
| 16 | 150-159 | Excitebike Track 1 |
Edit Mode | Excitebike | Rushed Tetris |
| 17 | 160-169 | Devil World Stage 1-1 |
Stage 1-2 | Tamagon | Rushed Tetris |
| 18 | 170-179 | Urban Champion Discount Shop |
Street with angry civilian and manhole | Dazed fighter | Rushed Tetris |
| 19 | 180-189 | Duck Hunt Prairie |
Prairie with tree | Dog tiptoeing | Rushed Tetris |
| 20 | 190-200 | Tetris (Game Boy version) Japanese box art |
Tetris Russian castle |
Space shuttle | Ancient Tetris |
Multiplayer items
Items appear only in multiplayer mode and are earned by clearing special ? Blocks that appear within a Tetrimino.
- Mushroom: While traditionally a beneficial item, when used on an opponent in this game it speeds up the descent of the Tetriminos.
- Boo: The player's opponents will not be able to see the upcoming blocks, destroying their foresight.
- Banana: This item flips the playing field horizontally. While at first this appears relatively useless, the formations of blocks coming from the ceiling do not change, meaning that it is most effective against people who have played the classic game before.
- Lightning: The affected players cannot rotate their Tetriminos for a set period of time.
- Red Shell: Usually an offensive item, in this game the Red Shell is defensive. Two rows will be cleared from the user's play field.
- Super Star: The user becomes invincible to his or her opponents' attacks. Additionally, the user receives only the straight I Tetriminos.
Push
- Play Modes: Single player, local multiplayer, Wi-Fi
- Theme: Donkey Kong
Push Mode was designed for players who wanted a more competitive way to play than just comparing scores. Players are virtually seated across from each other, with a pile of blocks in the center. The Tetriminos are like missiles in this mode. and can be sent by the player just as quickly as they can play the game. If one clears a row, the mass moves toward his or her opponent, decreasing the opponent’s play area and increasing the player's. The player who pushes the pile all the way out of the screen towards their opponent wins.
The mode is decorated by a Donkey Kong inspired environment. Pauline and Donkey Kong can be seen at the very top of the screen when it scrolls, and Mario walks around the girders on the top screen, dodging barrels and using the ladders. Mario's Hammer and Pauline's Parasol are located to the left of the playing field. Also, as ones play field grows smaller, fire erupts from the oil drum at the bottom of the screen. In the original game, barrels burned up when they hit this fire. The classic Donkey Kong beeps play in the background. It speeds up as the blocks near one of the edges.
Touch
- Play Modes: Single player
- Theme: Balloon Fight
Part of Nintendo's effort to use the Nintendo DS' touch screen in all possible games, this mode allows players to use their stylus to shift and rotate a pre-set arrangement of the blocks. While most other modes feature falling blocks, this mode has them already in place. By arranging them in horizontal lines, they will disappear. The game ends when no more combinations can be made. Players strive to clear the most points possible.
Balloon Fight provides the backdrop for this mode. Balloon Fighter and the enemies can be seen flapping their way through the sky on their balloons. There are also gray pipes which release light blue balloons. Starry skies and buried fossils make the background. The unaltered main theme plays in the background. However, there are occasionally fanfare blasts based on one’s progress.
Puzzle
- Play Modes: Single player
- Theme: Yoshi's Cookie
Puzzle mode presents players with the challenge of clearing all of the blocks already on their screen using only the blocks in their inventory. To succeed players need to think ahead and know how the puzzle will change based on each possible outcome. The Tetriminos can be rotated in any direction before being dropped, but once a location is selected, players cannot manipulate them. However, there is no time limit, so players may think for as long as they need.
This mode takes place in Mario's bakery from Yoshi's Cookie. However, instead of Yoshi Cookies in the oven, there are Tetriminos. Mario sits to the right operating the machine while Baby Yoshis hold a sign showing the puzzle's level number. The touch screen's background is decorated with the promotional artwork from the game featuring Yoshi in a pile of cookies, which shows a winking Yoshi when the puzzle is cleared.
Mission
- Play Modes: Single player, local multiplayer
- Theme: The Legend of Zelda
Unlike Puzzle mode, where the challenge's goal remains the same throughout the game, in Mission mode it changes every time the challenge is met. For example, the game may ask a player to use a square O Tetrimino to clear two rows of blocks at once. In this case, the player should line up two horizontal rows of block each eight across, but a space matching the block should be left open. Then, when the desired block begins to fall from the top of the play field, the player should place it so that two complete rows are formed. The challenges get more complex as time passes. In multiplayer mode, players race to see who can clear each mission first.
This mode takes its artistic inspiration from The Legend of Zelda. On the top screen, a waterfall resembling the opening screen of the title flows as a background to the goal. On the bottom screen, an elaborate mountainside fortress serves as the background. In the play field, one can see a series of caves. A sprite of Link, Octorok or another character from the game appears on the bottom screen based on how far the player has progressed. The sprite has been turned into a flat 3-D object that spins around. A remix of the overworld theme plays in the background.
Catch
- Play Modes: Single player
- Theme: Metroid
While the other modes instruct players to drop and adjust blocks into the play field, Catch mode is the only mode players instead control the play field. Boundaries are removed and the field can be moved anywhere in two dimensional space or rotated. Only the descent speed of the Tetriminos can be controlled. As they fall from the top screen to the bottom, players must ram the mass into the blocks to catch them. Players can attach them to on the top, bottom or the sides. If a player allows a Tetrimino to miss, rams into one during a rotation, or makes contact with a Metroid, they will lose energy. The game ends when no energy remains.
The mass contains one flashing block. Players attempt to establish a four by four mass of blocks that includes the flashing one. When this happens, the mass will detonate shortly after, taking all blocks and enemies directly above, below, or to its sides with it. Players also have the option of pressing the X Button to detonate immediately. A new block then begins flashing. Also, some energy is regained though this process.
The mode's visuals imply a mass moving up a large corridor from the original Metroid game. Samus's many sprites can be seen throughout the level, including a cascade of jumping sprites showing how Samus jumps from one ledge to another. Also, enemies from the game serve as hazards.
Music
Music is a feature located in the Options menu where the player can listen to "records" of songs heard throughout Tetris DS, most of which are arrangements of music from the represented Nintendo games.
| # | Song title | Based on | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mario Tetris Standard Lv. 1, 2, 8, 9 |
Ground Theme Super Mario Bros. |
|
| 2 | Zelda Tetris Mission |
Overworld Theme The Legend of Zelda |
Also plays in Standard Lv. 11 (albeit slightly faster). |
| 3 | Death Mountain Mission |
Death Mountain The Legend of Zelda |
Plays when the player is close to failing the mission. |
| 4 | Destruction Trip Touch |
Balloon Trip Balloon Fight |
|
| 5 | Metroid Charge Catch |
Brinstar Metroid |
Also plays in Standard Lv. 12 (albeit slightly faster). |
| 6 | Total Yoshi Puzzle |
Type A Yoshi's Cookie |
|
| 7 | DK Push Push |
Level Start / 25m BGM Donkey Kong |
This song is taken directly from Donkey Kong, and does not feature the winning and losing variations heard in Push mode. |
| 8 | 10,000 Tetris Points Record |
High Score Tetris (Game Boy) |
|
| 9 | Multiplayer Tetris Multiplayer |
— | Plays on the multiplayer settings screen. |
| 10 | Winner Theme Multiplayer |
— | |
| 11 | Loser Theme Multiplayer |
— | |
| 12 | Mario, Link, and Yoshi Title Screen |
— | Although original, the song incorporates sound effects from different Nintendo games. |
| 13 | Basement Tetris Standard Lv. 3, 7 |
Underground Theme Super Mario Bros. |
|
| 14 | Mario Tetris 3 Standard Lv. 4, 5, 6 |
Ground Theme Super Mario Bros. 3 |
|
| 15 | Bowser Battle Standard Lv. 10 |
Castle Super Mario Bros. |
|
| 16 | Tetris DK Standard Lv. 13 |
25m BGM Donkey Kong |
|
| 17 | Balloon Tetris Standard Lv. 14 |
Balloon Trip Balloon Fight |
|
| 18 | Tetris Climber Standard Lv. 15 |
Main BGM Ice Climber |
|
| 19 | Rushed Tetris Standard Lv. 16-19 |
— | |
| 20 | Ancient Tetris Standard Lv. 20 |
Type A Tetris (Game Boy) |
|
| 21 | CongraTetris Ending |
— | While the song is mostly original, arrangements of the Super Mario Bros. Ground and Invincibility Themes and the Donkey Kong 25m BGM play at the end. |
Other cameos
Several other cameos that are not part of the main game play are also included in the game.
Title screen
Many of the game's featured characters appear in the top screen if players wait at the title screen. The following cameos are in order of appearance.
- The Legend of Zelda: Link slashes Tetriminos as if they were enemies using his sword.
- Donkey Kong: Donkey Kong and Mario appear on screen, where the blocks are used as barrels. Donkey Kong throws them at him, who smashes them with the hammer. Occasionally, Donkey Kong Jr. will climb down the right side of the screen, distracting the plumber for long enough to get hit.
- Metroid: Samus shoots blocks as if they were enemies.
- Balloon Fight: The Balloon Fighter flies around, dodging two Tetriminos attached to balloons. Occasionally, it pops one or both.
- Super Mario Bros.: Mario jumps on a block as if it were a Goomba, then uses one as a floating ? Block containing ten coins.
- Yoshi's Cookie: Tetriminos roll towards Yoshi, who simply eats them.
- Mario Bros.: Mario and Luigi chase each other until Luigi hits a floating Tetrimino that acts as a POW Block. More specifically, this refers to the Famicom start-up screen, in which Mario and Luigi chased each other around while hitting the button to change the color scheme.
Menus
With few exceptions, Professor Hector from Gyromite can be seen in the top screen during the menu, as well as the stage from Mario Bros. On the touch screen, the opening for the Famicom Disk System is the background.
Records
The Records menu displays a sprite of a character from an NES on the top screen, which changes every time the player gains 1000 points (this does not apply after the player earns more that 10000 points). To earn points, the player must set a high score or complete anything they have not done before in different modes of Tetris DS.
Below is a list of the top screen sprites:
- 0-999 Tetris Points: Mario from Super Mario Bros.
- 1000-1999 Tetris Points: A Mushroom from Super Mario Bros.
- 2000-2999 Tetris Points: A Blooper from Super Mario Bros.
- 3000-3999 Tetris Points: A Balloon Fighter from Balloon Fight
- 4000-4999 Tetris Points: Link from The Legend of Zelda
- 5000-5999 Tetris Points: An Excitebike Racer from Excitebike
- 6000-6999 Tetris Points: Yoshi from Yoshi's Cookie
- 7000-7999 Tetris Points: Popo from Ice Climber
- 8000-8999 Tetris Points: Bowser from Super Mario Bros.
- 9000-9999 Tetris Points: Raccoon Mario from Super Mario Bros. 3
- 10000+ Tetris Points: Frog Mario from Super Mario Bros. 3
Staff
- Main article: List of Tetris DS staff
Gallery
Box art and logos
European box art with French and Dutch text
Japanese box art
- TDS NA Logo.jpg
Universal logo
Character artwork
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Balloon Fighter
- TDS Balloon Fighter.jpg
Balloon Fighter
Excitebike Racer
- TDS Excitebiker.jpg
Excitebike Racer
- TDS Ice Climbers.jpg
Popo
Screenshots
Media
|
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Trivia
- The Nintendo DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games features the Mario Puzzle Mix and Bowser Battle songs from this game as selectable songs in the Gallery.
- The puzzle mode received an online demo through Nintendo Arcade called Tetris DS Puzzle Mode.
External links
- GameKult.com—Tetris DS
- IGN DS—Tetris DS Gamespace
- Nintendo Database—Tetris DS
- Tetris DS Official Website
- Infinite spin rule on Hard Drop Tetris Wiki
- Tetrimino on Hard Drop Tetris Wiki
