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I love puzzle games! I can play them for hours on end...and usually do. It's just so easy to lose track of time when I'm "hard at work" on a mind-bender. If that's your story, too, read on as we get our handhelds dirty with a pair of addictive brainteasers, Tetris DS and Pokémon Trozei!
Both action puzzlers are of the "falling block" variety, making them similar in design. Various objects dropped from above must be moved, rotated and/or combined to clear the screen. Each game, however, is decidedly different in what they offer and how they're played. But, enough with the preliminaries. Let's examine this conundrum-based duo and discover what each offers in its gaming experience, starting with Tetris DS.
Some games need little introduction. Tetris is one. Invented in 1985 by Alexey Pazhitnov, it's among the most popular puzzle games ever created. Everyone who's played games on a computer, console or handheld knows about Tetris (and probably played it). But, for the uninformed few (both of you), here's the gist.
Geometric shapes called Tetriminos (also Tetrominos), composed of four variously arranged square blocks each, fall from the top of the screen. Your goal is to manipulate them as they descend so they fill the screen at the bottom from left to right, forming a continuous line (the shapes are important, not the colors). When you do, that line is cleared. Complete multiple lines at once and they're all removed. However, if you leave any open spaces in a line, it remains. As incomplete lines accumulate, they eventually reach the top of the screen and then it's "Game over, man!"
Tetris DS follows traditional play in Standard Mode, yet goes beyond it in others. Additional single-player alternatives include Push, Touch, Puzzle, Mission and Catch, while Standard, Mission and Push modes are provided for multiplayer action via DS wireless and Wi-Fi connections. But, before examining these, let's discuss game controls.
When playing Tetris DS, you manipulate Tetriminos with the system's Control Pad (left and right), A and B buttons (rotation), and L and R buttons (moving blocks in and out of a special Hold Queue for use later). The only exceptions are menu selection and Touch Mode which employ the stylus. Thus, it's basically a button-controlled experience.
Unlike generic Tetris, Nintendo's DS version is themed out after many of their popular game characters. You'll find play modes based on Mario, Link, Donkey Kong and Samus, adding a unique twist to a classic favorite. The familiar tunes are there also, making play a true retro experience.
Regarding game modes, there are simply too many to discuss fully. So, I'll describe my favorites. Apart from Standard Mode's line-after-line play, Push offers a good solo and multiplayer challenge where your goal is to clear two or more lines at a time, sending them to your opponent to effectively "push" them off the playing field. Puzzle Mode is more cerebral, testing your ability to complete a puzzle that can only be assembled one way.
Other preferred modes include Catch and Touch. In Catch, with its Metroid motif, you control a flying "core" to which you attach falling Tetriminos that explode, taking out nearby enemies. My favorite mode, however, Touch (being a "touchy-feely" kinda guy), employs the stylus and charges you with removing a tower of loosely stacked blocks, allowing the basket of balloons on top to reach the ground. No time pressure, just fun!
For some great old-school puzzling with a few modern twists, Tetris DS is a terrific "time waster," in a good sense. A greater degree of stylus implementation would have been nice, but it's still one of the best executions of this classic game.
Pokémon Trozei! is a whole 'nother beast (Pokémon, by the way, is a contraction of Pocket Monsters). It lacks the sheer number of variations in Tetris DS, but provides a cool Adventure Mode and some great interactive tutorials. Plus, it does a splendid job of implementing stylus play.
Albeit, let me clarify something. I'm not a Pokémon addict and "Gotta catch 'em all!" is not my mantra. In fact, Pokémon Trozei! is the only Pokémon game I own. However, it's an excellent one. Not because it's based on the Pokémon sage, but because of its brilliant, addictive play. So, if you've been put off by Poké, don't let that keep you from giving it stab.
As mentioned previously, this DS title offers a story-based approach, equivalent to the Quest Mode in other casual titles. As the tale goes, the evil Phobos Battalion is stealing Poké Balls and you, Lucy Fleetfoot, must put an end to their nefarious deeds. Stage by stage, your rescue as many of these Poké as possible.
Now for mechanics. Playing Pokémon Trozei! is all about sliding. Using your stylus, you slide Poké Balls left, right, up and down on the screen. Those sliding off the bottom return from above, balls slid to one side appear on the other. In traditional Connect Four-fashion, when you line up four or more identical Poké Balls vertically or horizontally they disappear -- a Trozei. When this happens, the screen momentarily turns green for a Trozei Chance, allowing you to remove progressively shorter lines of Poké Balls in a sequence of four > three > two for a run of continuous Trozeis. Clear the entire playfield, a Trozei All, and earn big points!
Four modes of play round out the action. In addition to Adventure, Pokémon Trozei! offers Endless, Battle and Pair modes. Adventure and Endless are single-player, whereas Battle and Pair offer multiplayer action over DS Wireless. Endless is just that -- a never-ending flow of Poké Balls to Trozei while trying to top your previous score. Battle pits you head-to-head against a challenger, ending when one player's screen fills (you send Poké Balls to your opponent's field). Finally, Pair Mode lets two gamers play co-op to achieve a new high score.
Of course, other aspects of play are important, too. A creature named Ditto serves as a universal Poké Ball, collected Prize Coins let you access special stages, selectable handicaps are available in multiplayer Battles and there are Agent Badges to earn. But, it's time to wrap up this edition of DS Casual.
So, which game is better, Pokémon Trozei! or Tetris DS? Hmmm. I guess the answer is...both. Truthfully, each game is an excellent action-oriented puzzler. Should you want to pin me down, though, Tetris DS offers more for old-school gamers who like variety. Nevertheless, the nod goes to Pokémon Trozei! for those who prefer a story tie-in, as well as Poké fans. My recommendation? "Catch 'em" both.