The Next Tetris: On-Line Edition

Mere words can't convey how excited I was when I found out Crave was bringing Tetris to SegaNet. It's ironic, since mere words can't convey how disappointed I am at the plain stupid omission of the option to play Classic Tetris online. It's already in the game, why not add an online option? You can't even play Classic Tetris in two-player mode. What's the point then? As for The Next Tetris, well...it was never a great game to begin with. Basically the same as the original game, the point is to clear out some stacks of garbage blocks on each level. Or you can play the marathon mode, which is also similar to Classic Tetris, except the different colors of the falling blocks designate how they'll fall when complete lines are formed and removed. What's worse is that the online options for it are all but nonexistent. It makes for very short bouts against your Internet opponents. Not nearly enough to satiate the puzzler bug or even begin to instill the tension and suspense a close game of Tetris is supposed to provide. This game doesn't even support the keyboard for crying out loud! OK, the presentation is nice and it has a nifty screen saver that kicks in after being paused a few moments. TNT even sports a few remixes of Classic Tetris tunes. Unfortunately, all they really do is remind you of how much you're missing. Don't even waste a thought on this game. Go buy a Game Boy and Tetris DX. At least they did it right.

Forget the online part of this game's title-multiplayer (online and off) The Next Tetris is bunk. The problem with the SegaNet game isn't lag--it's that you can only play one version of Tetris, the Next Tetris, and that version sucks in multiplayer. Basically you and the other guy race to clear the bottom two lines. Yippee. It's often over in 15 seconds, and people win on accident about as often as by skill. One- player The Next Tetris isn't so bad, especially in the practice (more like puzzle) mode. Plus you can play Classic Tetris (but why not two player?). It needs more options for the online game, added two-player and online Classic Tetris, and better load times.

I love Tetris. I've logged hours upon hours of play on previous versions of it (especially on Game Boy and the Tengen NES version). Never been one for The Next Tetris--feels too much like one of those cheap knockoffs from the '8os. If I could play two-player Classic Tetris online or against a friend in the same room, that'd be all I need. Instead, in this pack. Classic Tetris is limited to a one-player game and is not online. Would it have been that hard to make this an ultimate Tetris package? Aside from screen names, you don't know who your online opponents are. You can't chat or trash talk and the games are unbelievably short. Don't waste your money.