"Tetris Attack" (Game Boy)

This rapid, block-destroying game will bring challenges to both seasoned and casual gamers. Includes modes like Puzzle and Story, pizzazzing the overall gaming experience with this release.

Finally, a better sequel of Tetris; No kidding. I wasn't a big fan of the style of play in Tetris 2 but this one brings more flavor and pizazz that's fun and enjoyable.

Instead of dropping blocks and trying to fit them perfectly on the board, you're presented with blocks marked with circles, hearts, diamonds, triangles and stars. Your job is to use the two-square cursor to switch and match the blocks in sets of 3 or more (you can only switch horizontally, not vertically). Do so within the CLEAR line, which indicate that it is the "finish line" so to speak, and you're on to the next round. As you progress, the levels get more difficult and the loading of the blocks rise faster and faster.

Graphics are quite good, with nicer gradients and unique textures. The music defies Game Boy music, as it is catchy and something you'd expect playing a game like this. The controls are excellent and not once have a found a single delay, especially in the heat of the game.

The fun part is this game features characters from the hit Super Nintendo game Yoshi's Island, like Lakitu, Yoshi, Froggy and yes Bowser. If you play in STAGE CLEAR mode, all characters root for you to defeat the evil Bowser. By attacking him with blocks? Not really, but the characters state you must master the art of combos and chains within the blocks. What they mean by this is arrange the blocks in a way such that when one set is eliminated, another block drops and eliminates another set, and then another drops to explode another set and so on. Sounds easy but it isn't, so think of it a little like the infamous Rubik's Cube except doing so in eliminating the blocks and not arranging them in one solid color.

Knowing all that, you MUST defeat Bowser as he is the final opponent you must face. Bowser has an HP meter and using combos and chains knocks out his HP little by little. The more combos and chains you trigger, the faster Bowser's HP gets depleted. Do so and you win the game! The game ends with credits.

Dealing with block switching can be tedious so there is a password system for you to enter and continue where you left off, or to jump at a specific stage. Problem with the game's password system is that the password is 8 characters long! How's anyone going to memorize nor have the time to jot down that kind of password?

Other modes include Time Trial, Puzzle, Endless and VS. Com all which bring all kinds of challenges you can partake in this game.

A game that features characters from Yoshi's Island along with a brand new way of eliminating blocks makes this an excellent choice for Tetris fans of all kinds. The difficulty is just enough to keep you on your toes when a tough challenge nears in, all the while you're on your way to defeating the evil Bowser.

Highly recommended!

Kris Caballero

Founder and operator of KCU Network, Kris has been writing since he managed a personal blog created back in late 2005. Despite publishing articles and reviews from time to time for the network's website, Kris enjoys studying the sciences, namely Math, playing old video/DOS games, reading non-fiction books and listening to sports radio.

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