Tetris has always been considered to be among the top games of all time. This isn't exactly Tetris, though. Actually, this was originally a game called Phear on the Jaguar. Nintendo paid H20 to put in on the N64, slapped on the Tetris name to help sales, and now you can buy it. This still has little to do with Tetris. You slide pieces and line them up and then shoot a piece down at them to blow them up. The object is to get to the core, which sounds simple, but it isn't. Setting up truly big combos (the ones where you have multiple layers going down) is not a feat that happens immediately, especially when you have a limited time to lay down the piece. And even more with the aspect of your opponent constantly adding garbage pieces to you sphere. That's tough when the only way to play is against someone (and for even more fun and bigger combos put it at every piece).

The puzzle mode is super hard. If you thought Tetris Attack's puzzle mode burst your brains, then wait till you try this. I was getting stumped after just five minutes into this round. Unfortunately, the other modes are limited and are only good when you're bored.

There are a few random factors as well. When the magic pieces show up, use them to get rid of pesky spots on the sphere. With Wipeout XL inspired music (on a puzzle game?) and good blowing up effects, the sound is nice. The graphics are astounding (especially for a puzzle game). Fortunately, the control uses the d-pad instead of the stick which is good since this game would be hard with the stick.

This is an especially great game. Its not pure like Tetris, yet it is extremely addicting. Again, great game. Even if it started life on the Jaguar (many games have done this Tempest 2000 and Rayman for example). Well, the Jaguar's loss is the Nintendo 64's gain.

Overall: 7.4