Tetris

I’ve been putting off downloading Tetris for the iPhone or iPad because I used to have a crazy addiction to the game in the mid-nineties. I finally gave in and bought the $6.99 HD version for iPad, knowing from experience that it’ll probably be more than a one time play for me.

My initial reaction was similar to one of the reviewers on iTunes, who said “I don’t think this even counts as a Tetris game,” but that’s because I was playing “One Touch” mode. One Touch mode has since grown on me, and is where your piece appears at the top of the screen, and there are “ghost pieces” at the bottom. You tap the ghost piece that’s in the position you like best and that’s where your piece gets placed. If you want your piece to move to a different position or rotate, just hit the cycle button on the left side of the screen. The longer you play the faster the pieces come down.

Marathon mode is more like your typical tetris from the old days. Drag the pieces from side to side and tap to rotate them. Select “hold” on the top right when you want to hold a piece for later, and then when you’re ready to play it select “hold” again and your saved piece will swap with your current piece.

Finally there’s Galaxy mode. Galaxy mode has special “power-ups” ups that help you clear more rows or best play your piece. There’s a tutorial level, and from there you’re charged Tetris coins to unlock each level. You can earn Tetris coins, or you can join club Tetris for $2.99 a month and earn 15% more T-Coins. You can also purchase T-Coins, starting at $1.99 for 2,500. Personally, I like to earn my way to the next level.

Tetris for the iPhone and iPad stays true to the original Tetris game (in Marathon mode) and brings a lot more challenges and hooks for staying addicted. Kudos Electronic Arts!