If you could change Tetris DS - what would you do?

[c0ldb33r]

If you could change something/anything about Tetris DS, what would it be?

I'd do the following:

Music
I don't like always have the same music during wifi battles. That mario techno remix music is pretty good, but it gets old fast. I wish you could pick which themes get used during the battles.

Better Statistics
I wish there were better statistics. Every time I win/lose over wifi I always wonder how my rating was effected. It'd be great if there was a timeline that graphed your rating and compared it with the who you were battling.

Communication
I realise that Nintendo wants to make sure no little kids get diddled (or adults I suppose). So, I realise that's why we have the friend code and no voice chat / keyboard ability. But still, it'd be nice to have even a basic communication ability. Kind of like how Advance Wars DS allows you to say things like "Let's get going", and "Nice game", etc... just by pushing buttons. It'd be nice to be able to do this. Many times I've wanted to say "Good game" or "Got to go" after playing someone, so if nintendo included some predefined messages, well, it'd be a lot better.

Preferred opponent status
There are two types of opponents. (1) Friends, (2) Strangers. I realize nintendo doesn't want you to be able to add friends to your games because of the kiddy diddling concern (see "Communication"), but I've played some people before that were a lot of fun, and it'd be fun to play them again. I don't want to communicate with them, I don't want to meet them in real life, I don't want them as a friend, but I would like to play them again. Therefore it'd be nice to have a third option - preferred opponent, so that if that person is online, you can battle them again, but they won't be added to your friends list.

Team mode in 4 player wifi battle
It'd be nice to have some 2 on 2 action in the 4 player team battles. This was possible in the old tetrinet PC game and it was really fun.

Faster online opponent finding
It takes forever to find an opponent. It's not too bad in 2 player wifi, but 4 player is horrible. Hopefully this will get better as more people buy the game and start going online with it.

More unlockables
I got 200 lines in standard. Now what? It'd be cool to unlock other nintendo themes, maybe play the original gameboy tetris game (since this is impossible on a DS), or get new opening screens. At least give us SOMETHING to unlock other than new music :(

Ability to turn off new features
It'd be nice to be able to turn off the new features (like seeing the next 5 pieces, not just 1, infinite rotation, etc...). I like them, but it'd be nice to have the option to go old-school.

Well that's all I can think of. Anyone else?

[keiblerfan69]

I haven't played it but I know I would add the original theme song.

[SEGA-SAMMY]

All of the original music from the Game Boy and NES versions and be able to select it anytime. 8-) 8-)

[njiska]

I'd take out all of Nintendo lisences.

Come on it's fucking Tetris, i want classic Tetris music and a picture of the Kermlin in the background.

The music alone is a must.

[c0ldb33r]

what if they added a classic tetris theme along with the nintendo branded ones?

[njiska]

That could work, but honestly it's Tetris DS, not Mario Tetris. I really don't think the Nintendo Lisences are anything more then massively out of place flash.

Tetris stands on it's own and doesn't need another lisence.

Although i would be much happier if it did include a classic theme, even though the lisenced ones are there.

[JJNova]

Just wanted to touch on a few of your points, these are just another viewpoint


Preferred opponent status
There are two types of opponents. (1) Friends, (2) Strangers. I realize nintendo doesn't want you to be able to add friends to your games because of the kiddy diddling concern (see "Communication"), but I've played some people before that were a lot of fun, and it'd be fun to play them again. I don't want to communicate with them, I don't want to meet them in real life, I don't want them as a friend, but I would like to play them again. Therefore it'd be nice to have a third option - preferred opponent, so that if that person is online, you can battle them again, but they won't be added to your friends list.

No good. As exampled in other aspects of life, the good like to win against the good, and the slightly advanced like to stomp the little people. If My Tetris level wasn't very good, then I would be in the "preferred opponent" list for a million slightly better people that just want an easy target to help up their Rating. Cheating is amazingly rampant in online games, and this feature would give gamers with that drive a free advantage. I like the concept, and I agree that there are people i would like to play over and over again, but implementing it is something I think would actually ruin the overall experience.


t'd be nice to be able to turn off the new features (like seeing the next 5 pieces, not just 1, infinite rotation, etc...). I like them, but it'd be nice to have the option to go old-school.

I wasn't going to buy Tetris becuase of Infinite Rotation. I posted in the Nintendo forums about it, I bitched and ranted in #Vbender about it, and in general, told everyone I heard mention Tetris that they are supporting the evil. Fortunately for me, I am married, and have no say in what purchasing decisions are made. The wife picked up the game, and of course, my online acquaintances wanted to "beat me into the ground", hich they did. But the infinite rotation isn't helpful in multiplayer as it makes you force drop in all multiplayer modes, and in the single player mode... it is necessary. Marathon Mode is impossible without the feature, because on level 20, the pieces no longer fall. They just appear at the bottom of the screen. Seriously, there is no animation. Jus, "BOOM!" Tough Actin Tinactin at the bottom of the playing field.

I agree with more unlockables, but disagree with the music. The music is very important to a persons playing style. Laid back when you are winning, and more urgent when you are losing, therefore keeping the players motivation paced with the games progress. In both Single and Multiplayer.

[SkiDragon]

So, there is no Korobeiniki? If so, that's really a shame.

[DocRamon]

i have the game, and i have 2 friends with the game... but the 3 of us can't play online together...

there should be a way to play online without requiring all 4 players be present. like, once the 3 of us are connected, we can set the 4th person to a COM, or just not have a 4th player at all.

[c0ldb33r]

there should be a way to play online without requiring all 4 players be present. like, once the 3 of us are connected, we can set the 4th person to a COM, or just not have a 4th player at all.

Hey I never thought of that ... that's really stupid. You can play 2 on 2, but still... it's just not the same.

That'd be a good idea.

[MrRoboto19XX]

I would simply add "From Russia Whith Fun!" to the front of the box. For some reason, thats what I remember about the NES Version the most. (Which also, oddly enough featured Nintendo Characters...)

[sharkbates]

Definitely add the original score, selectable any time.

[DTJAAAAMJSLM]

I'd add more background themes based on lesser known Nintendo titles like Clu Clu Land.

[mr_pollock]

All I can ask for is the music from Tetris on the NES. OK OK... and maybe the way that the blocks changed colors each time you advanced a level.

Anyone got high scores for Standard Marathon mode? I got this today...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/mr_pollock/tetrishigh.jpg

Level 103
Score 2,567,503

[meancode]

i have the game, and i have 2 friends with the game... but the 3 of us can't play online together...

there should be a way to play online without requiring all 4 players be present. like, once the 3 of us are connected, we can set the 4th person to a COM, or just not have a 4th player at all.

I would have to agree with this, especially since we have seen this done before. In Mario Kart DS if 4 people do not show up, you can start a race with less. So it seems to be possible.

[THATinkjar]

i have the game, and i have 2 friends with the game... but the 3 of us can't play online together...

there should be a way to play online without requiring all 4 players be present. like, once the 3 of us are connected, we can set the 4th person to a COM, or just not have a 4th player at all.

Yeah... it is a shame that we can't play with just three players. But finding four players is really pretty easy, I find. But as you say, it would have been the icing on the cake to be able to add a CPU player to round up the numbers. Same thinking would apply to Mario Kart as well.

Can you play against bots online in Metroid? I haven't tried.


I'd take out all of Nintendo lisences.

Come on it's fucking Tetris, i want classic Tetris music and a picture of the Kermlin in the background.

I have to disagree with you, njiska. I absolutely love the Nintendo franchises strutting their stuff around in the background. It makes Tetris look colourful, and seem more exciting. It just adds to the overall experience, I feel. Push mode, for example, just wouldn't be the same if it wasn't Donkey Kong themed.


I don't like always have the same music during wifi battles. That mario techno remix music is pretty good, but it gets old fast. I wish you could pick which themes get used during the battles.

I have to agree with you, c0ldb33r. The Push mode music is so strange (though fitting to the theme, I guess), that it would have been great to have some sort of jukebox going on. Infact, I would take it a step further... and let the winner of the previous match pick the music for the next game. Picking music you know the other player(s) despise could give you an edge.


But still, it'd be nice to have even a basic communication ability. Kind of like how Advance Wars DS allows you to say things like "Let's get going", and "Nice game", etc... just by pushing buttons. It'd be nice to be able to do this. Many times I've wanted to say "Good game" or "Got to go" after playing someone, so if nintendo included some predefined messages, well, it'd be a lot better.

Yes, yes, yes! There have been so many times that I have wanted to say "Good game", or perhaps explain why I'm leaving. I just feel that I am being rude by not saying anything. It is more annoying that both Mario Kart and Tetris have absolutely nothing, yet Metroid has both voice chat and text messages (even if they are only for friends).


It takes forever to find an opponent. It's not too bad in 2 player wifi, but 4 player is horrible. Hopefully this will get better as more people buy the game and start going online with it.

I've not had this problem at all. I'm usually up and running in a four player game after a minute of searching. Perhaps it is the time of day that you are hoping to play, or it could even be a firewall issue (I know it was for me, to begin with).

[JWKobayashi]

It takes forever to find an opponent. It's not too bad in 2 player wifi, but 4 player is horrible. Hopefully this will get better as more people buy the game and start going online with it.

I've not had this problem at all. I'm usually up and running in a four player game after a minute of searching. Perhaps it is the time of day that you are hoping to play, or it could even be a firewall issue (I know it was for me, to begin with).

I've also had this problem. 2 player usually takes only a couple of minutes to find a match, but I've waited for over 10 minutes for a 4 player match and wasn't able to connect.

I haven't seen anything issued by Nintendo that says I need to open more ports on my firewall. Do you have somewhere that I can take a look at this?

[c0ldb33r]

I've also had this problem. 2 player usually takes only a couple of minutes to find a match, but I've waited for over 10 minutes for a 4 player match and wasn't able to connect.
I hate it when the other 3 players show up, but remain in "?" status for a few seconds, and you're like ... "sweet!", but then for some reason they disappear. :angry:


Anyone got high scores for Standard Marathon mode? I got this today...

[image removed]

Level 103
Score 2,567,503

The highest I've gotten was 801 (can't remember the score), but I'll have to 999 the place up now :D

BTW, how did you get such a clear pic? I've got a decent digital camera and mine's right blurry :(

[n8littlefield]

I honestly can't think of a think that you could fix. It's a ton of fun - and the Nintendo theme is really a great way to spruce up a game that we've all played over and over and over again. Yeah, the 4player matches can be hit or miss on connecting, but when they do it's absolutely amazing. The only complaint I have is just how much I HATE the powerup that makes the blocks drop down quickly on fire.

The modes are amazing though. I love PUSH mode especially. I actually sold Meteos (too much luck involved) and Polarium (too repetitive) to get Tetris and feel it was a great move. The modes each feel like their own games...wonderful stuff.

[JWKobayashi]

The only complaint I have is just how much I HATE the powerup that makes the blocks drop down quickly on fire.

I just had to comment on this. I play a friend of mine at work over local wireless w/ items all the time. I HATE HATE HATE the one that freezes your blocks. It always seems to come at the time that screws me up the most.

[THATinkjar]

I've also had this problem. 2 player usually takes only a couple of minutes to find a match, but I've waited for over 10 minutes for a 4 player match and wasn't able to connect.

I haven't seen anything issued by Nintendo that says I need to open more ports on my firewall. Do you have somewhere that I can take a look at this?

You've waited over 10 minutes for a 4 player match, and it wasn't able to connect? Blimey! This is very much a firewall problem, me thinks.

I'd like to point you to Nintendo's technical support page on software/hardware firewalls. You can view this here (http://www.nintendowifi.com/consumerservice/showTopic.do?topicId=Firewall_Help&catId=Connecting_Home). If, however, this link doesn't work (and NintendoWiFi web site links never work for my friends, for some reason)... here are directions to this page:

1. Go to Nintendowifi.com.
2. Select United States as the language (yes, this matters).
3. Click on the "Get Equipped" icon on the left under "Get Going".
4. Under "Connection Support", click "See More".
5. Under "Wireless Home Router Help" click on "Firewall/Antivirus/Antispyware/Adware Compatibility Info".

Voila!


I hate it when the other 3 players show up, but remain in "?" status for a few seconds, and you're like ... "sweet!", but then for some reason they disappear. :angry:

It usually takes 15-30 seconds to connect everybody at this stage, and some people don't realise this and actually disconnect because they are impatient. And, you'll find some people don't have their firewall setup correctly and are forced out.

[c0ldb33r]

I HATE HATE HATE the one that freezes your blocks. It always seems to come at the time that screws me up the most.
I hate that item as well. It's just not fair. I know I sound like I'm whining (because I am), but it's not fair. No one can do anything with pieces that you can't rotate. :(

I'd remove that item damn fast if I could.

[le geek]

More Cowbell?

[mr_pollock]

BTW, how did you get such a clear pic? I've got a decent digital camera and mine's right blurry :(

Good lighting, no flash, high ISO, steady hand.

hehe

[c0ldb33r]

steady hand.
And that is what I lack ;)

Another thing I'd change about Tetris DS would be having to wait after a four player battle if someone else has already disconnected.

I was playing a 4 player battle last night. The first person to lose disconnected (I assume by power off). I lost second and couldn't disconnect (without powering off). There's no point in making me sit there and watch players 3 and 4 battle since regardless what happens. Because one player already dropped, we're all going to have to go back to 4 player wifi screen and search for opponents. Why make me sit there and wait, or even more annoyingly, the only way to stop watching them is to power the DS off :(

[THATinkjar]

Don't you get some ranking points for finishing second and third in a four player game, c0ldb33r? I have a funny feeling you do, though I haven't confirmed this.

If this is the case, that would explain why you're "forced" to hang around, I guess.

[c0ldb33r]

I think you get points for finishing first or second (I notice the wi-fi records page has entries for 1st or 2nd places).

I can't confirm the points though.

[WizDawg]

I'd like to see an option in head-to-head battles that both players get the same pieces, like Dr. Mario.

Also I think if you press pause it'll disconnect you from a 4 player battle.

And what's up with Nintendo's wifi Tetris page where it's not updating my stats?

[noriaki_kakyouin]

I would make it so that it you could choose to play anyone or to play people who are more your speed. I really hate (being new) playing someone who has 600 wins and I have only 4. They trounce me, and it counts as a loss.

If you could choose to play anyone then that would be your decision. To play someone your skill or around then you might have trouble finding an opponent, but you could at least play a decent series of games without wanting to disconnect.