The puzzle concept remains unchanged and that's probably the best thing a fan of the original can hear. The game reeks of Tetris with no unnecessary blocks being introduced. Although the original theme of the game is now gone, Nintendo has supplemented everything with their key flagship characters to bring on a new level of Tetris. The game gives you a warm feeling inside just to see all these key figures gathering together for the sake of Tetris. Hail Nintendo! Moreover the new features in the game do not interfere with the basic premise and the strategies of the old are minimally changed and are updated for today's terms.

Graphically the game isn't the best thing to have been seen on the NDS, but it is pleasant nonetheless. In standard mode just peering at Mario going through 1-1 world in an updated setting just adds a whole lot to the gameplay even though it doesn't directly affect it. I guess the emphasis is that the developers are trying to give the player even more incentives to clear away blocks just to help Mario succeed in saving the princess. Sorry Nintendo, but I clear away blocks because its fun, not to save Mario. The game's menus are also very well designed and are very pleasant to breeze through. But I guess the game couldn't be designed graphically better without retaining the feel of the old.

"Nintendo Nostalgia with every purchase." This should have been a quote that Nintendo have included on every box. Nostalgia is in every crevice of the game, and the Sound department is no exception. How well though-out for them to have the first level of the game to be played to the tunes of Mario 1. It was surprising on my side as I was expecting some odd remix to the original Tetris Soundtrack, but instead I get some remixes to Nintendo Classics. Talk about unexpected, the only place I can actually hear a remix of the old initially is in the awards menu. Kind of a bummer that the original songs have to be unlocked.

Teris DS is a new revival of the series that has been updated to appeal more the the audience of today. A few things may shock people as being non-tetris, but these days nothing can be non-tetris as Tetris lives in all of us. This is the game that is synonymous with the words Puzzle and GameBoy. So the developers had a lot riding on their backs and pressure from the gaming community seeing if they would screw up. Just be glad that I am here today to comfirm that they did not and the game is a success.
The updates to the game although subtle add a whole new dimension to the gameplay. Speaking of dimensions, a new twist to the game is all of the Nintendo Themes. Overall the game is a must-have not only for the extensive single-player but the enjoyment of playing against people worldwide. You've never quite experienced Tetris until you play some pros from Japan, that'll make you a beleiver that you are truly an inferior being.

• Worldwide Tetris Multiplayer
  
• Nintendo Themes add nostalgia
  
• General formula although tampered with, remains Tetris at heart.

• No option for original Tetris play
  
• Original Tetris soundtrack gone
  
• Limited amount of gameplay options for multiplayer