The Next Tetris Explained

The Next Tetris is a puzzle video game in the Tetris series developed by Blue Planet Software. The game was originally released for the PlayStation by Hasbro Interactive on June 16, 1999.^[1] In 2000 a version for the Dreamcast which included online multiplayer called The Next Tetris: On-Line Edition was published by Crave Entertainment in the United States.^[2] The Dreamcast version was released in Europe the following year with online functionality removed.^[3] A version was also included with Toshiba-manufactured DVD players using the interactive Nuon technology.

Gameplay

The game features two modes. "Classic Tetris" has gameplay fundamentally unchanged from the earliest in the series, and is only playable in single-player.^[4]

In "The Next Tetris" mode the familiar tetromino pieces consist of different colored blocks called "multiminoes". If a block is multi-colored and placed with a gap below the piece, then the colored squares will separate and drop into the space below. This "cascading" feature allows players to drop blocks down after initially making a horizontal line disappear, allowing for larger combos. The Next Tetris mode is playable in single-player, two-player, and online in the North American Dreamcast release only.^[5]

Development

The game was developed in 15 months.^[6]

Reception

The Next Tetris received a score of 6.5/10 in IGN,^[7] while the Dreamcast version scored 8/10. Reviewing the latter, IGN Anthony Chau described the new cascading gameplay as "an interesting play mechanic" and praised the "industrial-like menu presentation" and "trancy, dreamy melodies" of the soundtrack.^[8] Official Dreamcast Magazine's Alex Huhtala dismissed the game as "a poorly conceived and executed version of a classic", pointing to "sluggish controls" and "gameplay tweaks [compared to the original ''Tetris''] that make it too easy". The Next Tetris mode was described as a "novel idea" by Ryan Davis of GameSpot but he argued that "instead of making players take on new strategies, it tends to encourage a barrage of sloppy bricklaying".

External links

• • Gamespot review

Notes and References

1. Web site: Lopez . Vincent . 29 October 1999 . The Next Tetris . 2023-01-13 . . en.
2. Web site: The Next Tetris: On-line Edition . 2023-01-13 . . en.
3. Huhtala . Alex . June 2001 . Review: The Next Tetris . . . 20 . 60–61.
4. Sewart . Greg . January 2001 . Review: The Next Tetris: On-Line Edition . . . 138 . 198.
5. Web site: Davis . Ryan . The Next Tetris: On-Line Edition Review . 2023-01-13 . . en-US.
6. Web site: The Next Tetris Interview. https://web.archive.org/web/19990909072732/http://gemonthly.com:80/features/next_tetris/index.htm. Gaming Entertainment Monthly. September 9, 1999. March 26, 2024.
7. Web site: The Next Tetris. IGN. 29 October 1999. 17 February 2023.
8. Web site: Chau . Anthony . 26 January 2001 . The Next Tetris: On-Line Edition . 2023-01-13 . . en.