TETRIS (GB)
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Publisher: Nintendo.
Developer: Bullet-Proof Software. Released: 1989. Genre: Puzzle. Other versions: CPC; SPC; AMI; NES. Posted 5th June 2013. By Chris Weatherley © 2013 |
Without delving into the long and complicated back-story of how, why and when this block-puzzle classic got out from behind the iron curtain and emerged to be the flagship title of Nintendo’s beloved handheld, the most important fact is that it did. Without the widely renowned Tetris, I’m certain that the Game Boy would not have been the colossal and dominant success it has been; it’s that important. In fact, I cannot think of another title outside the big franchises so intrinsically linked with the culture of the machine that it graces. Game Boy sales expanded to adults wanting to play Tetris, possibly even heralding the birth of mature orientated social gaming? It’s a game made for many, young and old, which tests reflexes, arrangement and patience. Talking subjectively about such a revered title is intimidating to say the least, but this does provide even more to admire about this game. With origins so unassuming, the game written by the Russian Alexey Pajitnov, copied and cloned more times than the poster of the tennis bum-scratching girl, is unquestionably one of the most famed video games in living memory.
The reason why Tetris is one of the all-time great puzzlers is that it ticks all the right… erm, boxes tenfold. Almost without even trying. From the theme of the game, to the layout, music, subtly clever visuals, learning curve and the challenge it sets, every facet blends together to form a near-on perfect game. The Game Boy version took this even a step further, as it also became an ideal game to have on the move, not to mention being the first handheld interlink title. Tetris is a game which anyone can pick up instantly, no tutoring period is ever required, and whether you play it for five minutes or five hours, it still retains that draw factor and attention. Never becoming dull to play, never succumbing to the rigours of time. It is still as playable now as it was back in 1989, and even after multiple clones, flashy graphics and special editions, save for its own GBC update, the original is still unsurpassed; a rare feat for any title in the modern era.
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Screenshots to sum up a generation of childhoods
What makes the GB version so impressive is all down to the understated bits and pieces that make up the whole, none more so than the graphical refinements employed. The original game relied on colours to differentiate each of the 7 shapes; the monochrome display could not do this, so each shape is carefully patterned so that they look distinct. A clever aspect considering the S and Z tetrominos. This makes viewing the game a breeze, even as small as the screen is with little motion blur, it’s comfortable on the peepers. The layout is also well crafted as are the little celebratory animations. A little more glitz and a few more effects could have been added to top it off, but for the function they perform, the graphics are constructed well and signatory of the Game Boy.
We can’t continue on without mentioning the music, a masterpiece of 8-bit composition that everyone recognises. The in-game soundtrack famously butchered by Dr Spin carries the aura of Tetris alone, and despite the sheer techno-like repetitiveness, it has never become annoying. Like a favourite mug or bodily birthmark, you just expect it to be there as you match line after line. Surprisingly, without these dulcet tinny tones the game looses a bit of its magic, for no fathomable reason. The GB impresses on all of the audio however, the SFX are numerous and apposite to the block-dropping action, diverse sounds again making a stamp of individuality and helpful to the gameplay in addition.
We can’t continue on without mentioning the music, a masterpiece of 8-bit composition that everyone recognises. The in-game soundtrack famously butchered by Dr Spin carries the aura of Tetris alone, and despite the sheer techno-like repetitiveness, it has never become annoying. Like a favourite mug or bodily birthmark, you just expect it to be there as you match line after line. Surprisingly, without these dulcet tinny tones the game looses a bit of its magic, for no fathomable reason. The GB impresses on all of the audio however, the SFX are numerous and apposite to the block-dropping action, diverse sounds again making a stamp of individuality and helpful to the gameplay in addition.
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But as we all know, puzzlers are rarely about groundbreaking or dynamic graphics, or whether the BGM is annoying or not, but about how it plays, and that is where the most vital part of Tetris’s success lies; it’s ingenious and insanely addictive playability. You would think that generating a game engine to drop shapes that can be rotated and dropped into lines would be simple, but I have lost count of how many versions of Tetris that get this all completely wrong. The physics are so fluid, continuous and effortless to use, but they are clever too. Sliding in a shape under a shape requires timing, accurately judging the gravity as the levels progress. This also promotes forward planning, calculation of shape repetition, and on the higher levels, a quick reflex both in mind and body. Finally, its difficultly curve is also right on the roubles. Starting at level 0 is literally child’s play, but progression paves way to a fast, mind-bending, head-banging finger-melting gaming experience. Any puzzle title which incorporates all these things to such a highly-balanced degree has the potential to be brilliant, and Tetris sets the benchmark.
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I know it sounds like I’m blowing nuclear smoke up Pajitnov’s behind just for the sake of it, but he really did create something special back in 1984, something everlasting and a game for all people. Nintendo had the good fortune to not only get hold of his work for their systems, but to turn it into the supreme embodiment of portable puzzling. It has been widely argued that the GB version of Tetris is the best, bettering the IBM or C64 first editions. But don’t take a fanboys’ word for it, or Nintendo’s, or even mine, take it from the creator himself. Pajitnov publicly praised this version of his creation, stating it to be his personal favourite and the closest to his original design so far. With a simple framework producing such greatness, Tetris is a one-of-a-kind. It crosses borders and cultures without hindrance, adapts to both portable and home play, and can be played by almost any age group. In short, it’s an eternally-recognised, exceptional and sacrosanct video game.
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VERDICT
Visual: 7/10
Audio: 9/10 Gameplay: 10/10 Longevity: 10/10 OVERALL: 10/10 |