Tetris Party Deluxe

By - Richard J.

It all started with the Gameboy, and a little Russian game that could. After selling nearly 33 million on the portable system alone, everyone across America in the early '90s was fitting tetrominoes together. Over the years, Tetris has made its mark on nearly every home and portable video game console. The latest Tetris game(s) to invade home and portable consoles is Tetris Party Deluxe. Tetris Party was originally a WiiWare game developed by Hudson Soft., but due to it's popularity has received an upgrade to full retail game on the Nintendo Wii and DS systems. Despite this being a new game, it's really just a new coat of paint on a classic game. However if I do say so myself, this is one hell of a coat of paint. This review is specifically for the Nintendo Wii version of Tetris Party Deluxe. If you wish to know more about the Nintendo DS version, my review is located here.

Tetris Party Deluxe! Throws you right into the gameplay from the beginning. Like all other Tetris games, they don't try and force a story and characters down your throat, and that's a good thing. Well, that's technically not true. There is a little man in the "Field Climber" mode, but that doesn't really count. On the subject of game modes, Tetris Party Deluxe is full of them. The huge amount of game modes is what puts Tetris Party Deluxe above most other Tetris games. The single player option in Tetris Party Deluxe features eight different quality game modes. The game modes are as follows:

Marathon

Basic Tetris gameplay where you clear as many lines as you can. This mode has both an endless "on", and an endless "off" option. Endless "on" has you playing for the highest time and score until you get "game over". While endless "off" has you playing for the highest time and score until 150 lines are cleared.

Computer Battle

In this mode you must defeat the computer in a head-to-head Tetris battle. Each time you clear two or more lines, lines appear on the computer's screen to push their blocks up. Your ultimate goal is to defeat the computer in the fastest time.

Field Climber

As mentioned previously, this mode features a little man (known as the climber) which you must force to the goal zone using Tetris blocks while avoiding crushing him. However, if you have "Everest" set to "on", then you must keep the climber going until the climber gets crushed. While you climb, you can also collect flags along the way.

Shadow

Shadows are displayed on the back of the Tetris board and you must line your Tetris blocks along the shadow to form a shape. If a piece doesn't fit, you are able to swap it. Be warned though, you only get a limited number of swaps.

Stage Racer

A Tetris block must be guided to the bottom of a 400 line maze while the obstacles become harder and harder. Flipping your tetrinoes is essential to getting through the maze. The time you take is your score, except for the endless "Abyss" mode in which the line you reach is your final score.

Sprint

40 lines must be cleared in the fastest possible time. The faster your time is, the higher your score is.

Master Mode

The goal in this mode is to clear as many lines of Tetris blocks as you can while the blocks drop at their fastest speed. The same rules as the "Marathon" mode apply to this mode.

Bombliss Mode

Special bomb pieces are used to clear lines of Tetris blocks.

Apart from the regular single player modes, there are also two special "Beginner's" modes. These modes incorporate much larger Tetris blocks. These two modes are meant for younger children or those who are frustrated with regular Tetris.

Beginner's Marathon

The exact thing as regular marathon mode, except with much larger Tetris blocks. Exact same rules apply.

All Clear Sprint

The goal is to clear as many lines as you can in the shortest time.

Apart from the single player modes, Tetris Party Deluxe on the Wii has a plethora of local, split-screen multiplayer modes.

VS Battle

Same rules as the "Computer Battle".

VS Battle Auto Handicap

Exact same as "VS Battle" except that this mode automatically sets player handicaps based on the balance of wins and losses. This mode is perfect for experienced Tetris players who want to play with rookies.

VS Field Climber

Identical to the single player mode "Field Climber" except in a head-to-head battle format.

VS Hot Lines

The goal of this mode is to clear these designated "Hot Lines" before your opponent does.

VS Shadow

Identical to the single player mode "Shadow" except in a head-to-head battle format.

VS Stage Racer

Identical to the single player mode "Stage Racer" except in a head-to-head battle format.

Duel Spaces

Take turns dropping Tetris blocks on a large grid while trying to create the largest bordered space. The player with the largest space bordered wins.

Co-op Tetris

The same rules as "Marathon" mode, except with a partner.

Co-op VS Co-op

Similar to "Co-op Tetris" except with your co-op partner you take on another co-op couple in a head-to-head battle.

VS Sprint

Identical to the single player "Sprint" mode except in a head-to-head battle format.

VS Sprint Auto Handicap

Exact same as "VS Sprint" except that this mode automatically sets player handicaps based on the balance of wins and losses. This mode is perfect for experienced Tetris players who want to play with rookies.

Tetris Party Deluxe on Wii also features WiFi multiplayer. Unfortunately, unlike its DS counterpart, you are only able to "Battle" mode over Nintendo WiFi Connection. However, there is an upside to the online in the Wii version of Tetris Party Deluxe; there are actual people to play with online! Every time that I have played the Wii version online, there have been multiple people who are waiting to play. This is a huge upside and really adds to the replay value of the Wii version.

The Wii version of Tetris Party Deluxe also has one special set of game modes that aren't in the DS version, but don't worry DS owners, you aren't missing anything. This extra set of modes fall under the "Balance Board Tetris" section. As you probably guessed, all of these modes have you playing Tetris using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board peripheral. As you likely also guessed, these modes are absolutely terrible. Whatever idiot(s) thought that playing Tetris with the Balance Board is insane and should be fired.

First of all, the Balance Board controls barely work. You have to shift your body weight in order to move the pieces. The problem here is that if you move forward even the slightest, the Tetris block falls at full speed. The other big problem is that it doesn't tell you how to flip the blocks. Sometimes my frantic jumping got them to flip, but that doesn't exactly work. These game modes were more frustrating than they were fun, and Hudson Soft. should have known better than adding a gimmicky mode to their game in order to sell more copies. The Balance Board modes should go down in history as being the worst Tetris modes ever.

But enough of my hatred for gimmicky Balance Board modes. While playing all of those other fabulous game modes, you will see that the graphics in Tetris Party Deluxe are quite bright and vibrant. With the game being the same basic game that was on the original black-and-white Gameboy, they couldn't exactly innovate.I'm quite fond of what Hudson Soft. did with what they had, but definitely don't expect incredible graphics when you pick up the game; just a lot of crazy colours. Unlike the Nintendo DS version, Tetris Party Deluxe on the Wii uses your actual Miis, instead of trying to have a bunch of ugly pre-made ones. The only downside to this is that there is no Bomberman avatar cameo appearance like in the DS version. Finally, you are able to change the background of the Tetris boards, which adds some customization and some great looking pictures. Their aren't graphically stunning, but visually there are quite nice. I would have liked some kind of 3D mode for the Wii version, but not having one doesn't sour my overall opinion on the graphics.

Along with the the great graphics of Tetris Party Deluxe, comes the amazing sound. The game features a vast amount of amazing Tetris themes that have collected over the years. Due to the gameplay getting repetitive after a while, the sound playing in the background can do a lot to keep a long game entertaining. With the music being so pleasant to your ears, I recommend turning up your speakers while playing.

Despite the gameplay getting a bit repetitive after a while, Tetris Party Deluxe has a ton of replay value. With all of the modes and the ability to play multiplayer online make it a must own game for any casual puzzle fan that owns a Nintendo Wii. But Ultimately, Tetris Party Deluxe on DS is a perfect game for any Tetris fan. It takes the basic Tetris formula, and expands on it with a ton of enjoyable modes. However, if you aren't a huge fan of Tetris, you will likely want to skip on this game. The amount of fantastic game modes, the eye pleasing graphics, and the amazing sound make this one great game. What makes it even better is the $29.99 price-tag which is likely to go down farther. For a cheap, pick-up-and play game like this which expands on a classic formula - instead of changing it, or destroying it - I cannot recommend Tetris Party Deluxe enough. Just remember to stay far away from the Balance Board modes.

PROS

• Classic gameplay done right
• Fantastic use of colours
• A plethora of outstanding game modes
• Ear pleasing sound
• Incredible replay value
• Has an active online community
• Cheap price

CONS

• Some game modes aren't as great as others
• Graphics aren't the best
• Terrible Balance Board modes
• Only recommended for Tetris fans

RATING: 8.0/10