Developer: Amtex Publisher: Seta Corp.
Released: November 13, 1998 5/10
The full experience of Seta’s version of Tetris can be a bit difficult to get an idea of nowadays, as it was the only game compatible with the N64 Bio Sensor, an accessory originally included with it upon release. The Bio Sensor would clip to the player’s ear to measure their heart rate, and was implemented in one of Tetris 64’s three game mode options – Bio Tetris, where blocks would change their speed according to changes in the player’s heart rate (it can be done both ways, speeding up with your heart rate or slowing down against it and vice versa). Unfortunately, other than this gimmick, and another silly yet fleeting twist on the Tetris formula, Tetris 64 really has nothing to offer than, well, Tetris. Which isn’t the worst thing in the world, sure, but had already been done so much better than this, nor was it far off from getting some really wonderful repackagings, either.
The other game modes besides the Bio Sensor-enabled one are basic Tetris – and I mean basic – and a funky little mode called Giga Tetris, where giant versions of the regular tetrominoes are mixed in with the standard sizes and offer up an odd little challenge trying to figure out how much room they actually give you. The other, as it says, is just Tetris. No bells and whistles or anything. No hold spot, no snap drop, certainly no spin moves or anything else of that nature. And that wouldn’t be so bad except the presentation is just abysmal, if I’m being honest. Literal JPEG slideshows as your backdrop and four paltry, muzak-esque tracks to choose from (or silence, as it so clearly proclaims at the bottom of the screen, you might actually want silence), it’s just not good. No effort, no pizzazz, and worst of all, no Korobeiniki! Honestly, just play the GameBoy original, the charm of the simplicity goes a lot further than some vacation photos and a MIDI keyboard.