It seems as if the world's fascination with the Russian-created puzzle game Tetris will never end. Hasbro Interactive and Atari have introduced yet another challenging version of the shape- shifting classic Tetris. The new format follows rules similar to the classic game. However, there are now new objects (sticky blocks and cascades) to contend with. The sticky blocks add a clever twist to the action, since they connect themselves to other pieces of the same color when placed next to one another. These resulting sticky blocks are bigger and less mobile than regular blocks. As in the original Tetris, clearing a line of blocks will often result in a chain reaction that can cause other blocks to fall. At this point, the game can get quite frantic since these blocks often end up creating matches that trigger more chain reactions. It's a dizzying experience--but that's the charm of the game. Players can choose from marathon mode (a single-player sequential game), two-player competition, or puzzle-style levels that require you to clear prepositioned blocks in a certain amount of time. The new elements make this updated game more challenging than the original, yet The Next Tetris retains all the charm of the game that started it all. Even diehard Tetris fans will have a difficult time finding fault with this game, since it includes a faithful reproduction of the original version as well. --Carrie Bell
Pros:
- Utilizes dual shock analog controller
- Sticky blocks add new dimension to gameplay
Cons: - More expensive than the original title
