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Tetris Party Deluxe Review

 Tetris Party Deluxe is a deluxe version of the hit Wiiware game, Tetris Party, which came to the Wiiware service on October 20th, 2008. Two years has passed since the Wiiware debut but is it worth picking up the deluxe version after two years already on the digital market?
 
Even though Tetris is a puzzle game, that does not mean that Tetris doesn’t has a very interesting history. Originally developed and programmed by by Alexey Pajitnov in the Soviet Union, it was released on June 6, 1984. The origin of Tetris is very interesting, with very interesting law suits. The story reminds me of “The Social Network” with many companies being led to the brink of destruction.  With so many companies claiming to own Tetris, it is amusing to think how this problem was solved.

Presentation

The menus are very simple to navigate and look nice. As for the blocks for themselves, they look very simple and get the job done, it is Tetris what did you expect? The backgrounds vary, for example you have: space, a sandy beach, and a fiery volcano to name a few. Some of the backgrounds have some nice effects like fireworks rocketing into the sky behind buildings or lava erupting from a volcano.

Controls

Just like Tetris Party Deluxe’s wiiware counterpart. Tetris Party Deluxe has many different controller options that include: Wiimote on its side, Classic Controller, Wii Balance board, and Wii Wheel. With Wiimote by itself you can have it on the controller’s side to move the d-pad left and right, while using the 1 and 2 buttons to turn the Tetrimino left or right. In a mode called Stage Racer, you can use the Wiimote as a steering wheel to maneuver the Tetrimino left and right to get to the end goal. The only problem however, is that the motion can be slow at times. I would recommend that you use buttons instead of motion control for Stage Racer. The Wii Balance Board is compatible as well. The blocks are bugger in this mode, then in regular Tetris. The Balance Board controls work fine, you squat to change the angle of the Tetrimino, lean to the left or right to move the block. The Classic Controller option works well, but the Wiimote by itself works great.

Game-play:

The objective of the game is to manipulate the blocks, by moving each one sideways and rotating it by 90 degrees, with the aim to form a horizontal line of blocks without gaps. When such a line is created, it disappears, and any block above the deleted line will fall. In Tetris Party Deluxe, you have many game modes that can be enjoyed solo or with multiple people. “Play Tetris!” is a mode to where you play a normal game of Tetris. In Beginner’s Tetris, a tutorial will guide you through the many rules. In Field Climber, you have to help a climber make his way through all the check points on the way to the goal. Be careful, you might accidentally squish him!

 
Other modes include, Master Mode, Bombliss Mode, Shadow, Sprint, and Marathon. In Master Mode, you have to think fast! The blocks will be dropping faster and faster until game over. Bombliss Mode requires you to destroy blocks detonating Bombs, which can be a blast of fun! (Pun Intended) In Shadow, you have to form pictures by filling in the shadowed area with Tetriminos, such as an apple tree. If you want to work together with a buddy, Co-op Tetris is here for you, you have to work with a pal to fill in a huge Tetris level. If you are in for a competitive Co-op mode, two teams can go head to head in a team battle of Tetris!



Difference between Wiiware and Retail versions:
The Tetris Party Deluxe version has new modes that it's Wiiware counterpart does not, but not by much. Deluxe has three new modes: Sprint, Master, and Bombliss modes. In Sprint mode, you must clear lines as fast as you can in a short amount of time. For multiplayer modes, Tetris Party Deluxe has three new multiplayer modes: Vs. Sprint, Beginner's Tetris All out Sprint, and Co-op vs. Co-op Games modes. Unfortunately, the Deluxe version does not have that many new modes to justify a second purchase.Replayability -Tetris Party Deluxe has a good amount of replay ability. Tetris Party Deluxe has an online mode to which you can battle friends or random people in Tetris. If your friends own the Wiiware version of Tetris Party, you can play online with them as well, just as not as many game modes. If you own Wii Speak, you can chat with friends that you have shared friend codes with. The quality is not that great, but is still a neat feature none the less. In local multiplayer, the heat rises. Take on your friends in a variety of multiplayer modes locally.
 


Conclusion:

If you already own Tetris Party on Wiiware, there is not enough new content to justify a purchase of the retail version. However, if you have not purchased Tetris Party for a lack of Internet or wanting a tangible copy, Tetris Party Deluxe is a great game worth the suggested retail price of $30 and is a game every Wii puzzle fan should own!

Now that you have read the review, I want to hear from the readers! Do you own the Wiiware or retail version of Tetris Party? If so, what do you think? Have any questions or concerns?  Let me know in the comment box below!
Rating
8.0

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