It's time to dance to Korobeiniki again. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressionsArt.cfm?artid=17036 The venerable Tetris is back again with several new takes on the classic puzzle game. While it doesn't duplicate the selection from Tetris DS, Tetris Party includes several novel modes for single player as well as local and Wi-Fi multiplayer.
Of course the standard Endless Tetris mode is included, and it follows the modern Tetris rules including T-Spins, Infinite Spins, and a single block hold. But that's really only the beginning. There's a quirky race mode where Tetris pieces must be dropped and rotated through increasingly narrow passageways as quickly as possible.
Another mode involves helping a tiny stick figure to a goal by building stairs. The character can climb up one block at a time, so blocks must be carefully stacked so this is possible. Along the way, the little man must collect flags. Squishing the character sends him downward into the next available open space, and recovery can be frustrating since many lines must be cleared to retrieve him. This mode really forces players to plan out their moves.
Two players can play Tetris in a larger field simultaneously like the banned NES-era Tengen version of Tetris. Another co-op mode turns Tetris on its head. Here, instead of trying to complete lines, players try to enclose spaces using the Tetriminoes. However, these structures must be built carefully since both players place blocks in the same field. Whoever claims the most area wins.
There's even a mode that uses the Balance Board. To accommodate the increased difficulty of playing with your entire body, the playing field size can be altered, with much larger blocks set as a default.
Tetris Party's Battle mode should be familiar to anyone who's played Tetris DS or TetriNET, on online PC Tetris clone. However, some of the attacks are new, and involve shaking or pointing with the Wii Remote. There's a smoke screen attack, which must be cleared by wiping the attack away with the Remote. Certain attacks can be targeted by pointing at an opponents field. Blocks will still keep on dropping while these attacks take place. Another attack brings in the little man from the single player mode. This time, players must avoid squishing him for a time or be penalized with added junk lines. Up to four players can play locally or through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.
Tetris Party should show up on WiiWare this month, at least in Japan and North America. Though Tetris Online is taking a risk by setting the price point at a nearly unprecedented 1200 points, the game is so full-featured (especially compared to the similar Dr. Mario Online) it could very well be worth it. The new modes on offer may sway those who dislike Tetris, and therefore even you may find something to enjoy here.