Tetris Axis

The 3D stuff looks pretty great, and since Tetris doesn't involve much action, it doesn't tax your eyes like other titles might.

A great selection of minigames, with awards, leaderboards, and decent multiplayer. A couple more online offerings would have given it a perfect score.

Charming, imaginative. [Nov 2011, p.63]

Still pining for some Tetris after all these years? Tetris 3DS is yet another great addition to the franchise, with tons of modes and exciting multiplayer action.

Tetris on 3DS comes with a plethora of options, modes and minigames, both in single and in multiplayer. While not every mode is perfect and the game remains below Tetris DS in terms of quality, this is still a must for every Tetris fan.

Even though some of the new game modes don't bring anything new into the game, Tetris has me hooked, like it had years ago. The core modes are as addicting and challenging as they always were, as is the multiplayer mode. I would gladly increase the score if some of the less appealing modes were improved or dropped from the game.

Fans of Tetris will be over the moon with this latest version, with it bringing back the classic mode that every knows and loves, as well as other popular takes on the theme that have proven to be widely accepted by loyal gamers.

Tetris for the Nintendo 3DS may not win over players who didn't like the game in the first place, but old fans can look forward to plenty of fun modes, including an excellent online experience for up to six players.

A great Tetris version which includes new game modes that are surprising and very engaging. However, its online system has room for improvement, and there are plenty of Tetris versions in other platforms that, although not that impressive visually, are equally addictive thanks to its gameplay.

A large collection of Tetris variations. Some are excellent, some forgettable.

Tetris Axis is another bright spot on the puzzle series' legacy, but some of the aging modes trip things up for veterans. If you're a 3DS owner in the mood for core Tetris without extra experimentation, keep in mind that the eShop already offers Tetris Party Live for only $5.

Aside from the 3D, the core gameplay mechanics have stayed the same, while we do get to see some new gameplay variants – ultimately you can't change a classic.

Though the game isn't as endearing as Tetris DS, it's well worth the $30 price tag if you don't currently own another DS Tetris iteration.

Without question, Tetris: Axis is a lot of fun.

With so many versions of Tetris already on the market, it's hard to say that Tetris Axis is a must-buy. [Oct 2011, p.83]

Axis' presentation just plain doesn't quite stack up to other versions on the market - most notable Tetris DS - and the uninspired use of Miis comes off as more lazy than fun.

A sparkling collection, but its successes come from repackaging old content. [Jan 2012, p.88]

The 3DS version of Tetris is quite interesting due to the new Fever mode. The lack of a deep online multiplayer (the classic versus is simply not enough) is a shame, but the game is honest anyway. If you're a Tetris deviant you can't miss this fake 3D edition.

Looking at the product as a whole, there is both quantity and quality. However, there is a lack of some ingredient that links the various modes, something that adds more depth to the whole package. Despite this, the number of game modes is simply stunning.

If you're after a quick Tetris fix, and you own a 3DS, this iteration is an obvious choice. For those who have every other version on the market though, it might not do enough to continue the blocky wonderland.

Mountains of game modes and content but only a molehill amount of personality, this does nothing for either Tetris or the 3DS's back catalogue.

Even after all these years, Tetris is an addictive and nice game to play. You don't have to buy this for new elements like AR-modes or the 3D-support. But you can buy it for its online options and a lot of the offline modes.

The classic Tetris doesn't know to make good use of 3D. It's a game full of modes, with 8 players online and many hours of traditional fun and new interesting additions. But only that.

I liked the addition of dancing Miis and club-style classical music remixes, and the graphical presentation and 3D novelties were neat, but none of this really satisfied my craving to play some good ol' Tetris. Somehow the standard-ish Marathon mode wasn't doing it for me.

Tetris Axis delivers classic gameplay with lots of modes and options, but most of it is very familiar.

Tetris Axis falls short of spectacular but still proves to be a worthwhile addition to the classic's illustrious handheld legacy with its expanded online component and oddly addictive Fever mode.

Axis might not be the best Tetris of all time, but it's filled with so many features that its $29.99 price tag is be easily justified, no matter how many times you've bought this game already.

If you haven't picked up Tetris in a while, this isn't the best or the cheapest version available, but if it's really is all you can find, it's impossible not to recommend playing a few matches.

Personally speaking, though, Axis is unbearable: A hodgepodge of ideas with no aesthetic consistency. It includes practically every Tetris derivative mini-game to have been pushed out the door by various licensees over the past decade, both good and bad, making it a sort of omnibus. At the same time, the whole thing feels cheap and generic, and there's very little visual consistency from mode to mode.

It's just one of those games that really is best played in its original, simple Marathon mode.

Quotation forthcoming.