GRAPHICS - A+

 

The part of the graphics that stands out the most is the colors. The Tetronimoes are a specific color per level and they change whenever the level changes like Level 0 (or any level that ends with 0) for example. The pieces are multiple shades of blue. When you go to level 1 (or any level that ends at 1), they change to multiple shades of green. Eventually they will take on multiple base colors then reset at shades of blue when level 10, 20, etc. are reached. If you score well enough, you will see a Congratulations screen with a random thing blasting off depending on your score. That includes the whole castle if you get an extremely high score. If you are playing the B-Type game and beat the level at its highest level (level 9), you will see a range of cameos by Nintendo characters that will increase depending on the starting height and each playing a different instrument meaning you start with Pit first then if height is 1, Link joins him. In all, here is what you will see.

 

0: Pit on vilolin

1: Link on Flute

2: Samus on Cello

3: Donkey Kong on Drums

4: Bowser on Accordian

5. Mario and Luigi dancing while Princess Peach claps along.

Other graphics that you will find are when the lines are cleared. The line of mini blocks dissolve outwards from the middle and drop any of the upper blocks downward. If you managed to get a Tetris, you will see a bright flash. If you fail, the gates will close up and display the colors of the level you are on. In all I didn't see anything wrong with the graphics here.

 

CONTROLS - A

 

The controls function the way they should. You move left or right to control the Tetromino and try to place it where you want it to be. Then you hold Down to make the Tetromino fall faster but you can let go of down to make the Tetromino fall back at normal speed. The A and B buttons are for rotating the pieces clockwise or counterclockwise. Some players are only used to rotating the controls only clockwise and have to get used to rotating it the other way when necessary. Those who can use both directions effectively can have longer games. Even though this is a one player game, there is a Game Genie code out there that make it a two player game where one player controls the direction of the Tetromino while the other controls the rotation. It is all about teamwork. The code is ENEALYNN.

 

SOUND/MUSIC - A

 

There are only three songs to listen too on a normal basis and they are  all seemed to be based on Russian songs. In fact, the A theme is known to all as the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from Nutcracker Suite which everyone associates with Christmas. The B theme is the same one as the B theme on Gameboy and the C theme I can't seem to remember what song that might be based off of. The only other non regular music you will here is the Initial Entry and the Congratulations screen where the latter plays a wonderful rendition of Carmen which in this game is an extended version of Don Flamenco's theme from the Punch Out games. The sounds are basic but it does let you know that actions are being done like flipping a piece or getting a line. If you get a Tetris, you get a special sound that goes with the flash from doing so. If you game ends, you will here the sound effect from Metroid from where the base explodes if you fail to escape.

  

REPLAY VALUE - A+

No doubt about it, Tetris is a game that you can play anytime any place. It does not have to be NES's version of Tetris you may want to play over and over again, just locate any Tetris game out there and almost all of them are guaranteed an A+ replay value though some of them will suck and make you wish you never played it but at least NES's version of Tetris will be something to be proud of.

 

OVERALL - A+