Moms, dads, bored secretaries, and other casual gaming folk, hark thy news! There's a new in-game pack available for download on the Xbox Live Marketplace to spice up your Tetris Evolution gaming experience. There are six packs of Downloadable Content">downloadable content available for THQ's puzzle game, half of which are Background Sets (each notched at 100 MS Points), while the other half are Skins (80 MS Points each).

Background Sets:

• Waterfalls - Relax with a soothing set of video and background pictures!
• Fireworks - Celebrate with this explosive set of video and background pictures!
• Games - Play with these sporting set of video and background pictures!

Skins

• Blue Tahiti - Add this cool Blue Tahiti skin to your collection!
• Bugs - Add this drippy, gooey, and cool skin to your collection!
• Flowers - Add this pretty, sweet, flowery skin to your collection!
• Pet Shop - Add this bright Pet Shop skin to your collection!

Unfortunately, as of writing, these Tetris Evolution download packs are not available in Asia, Mexico, or Australia.

It had to take THIS long to verify that Tetris: Evolution would be a boxed retail release and not an Xbox Live Marketplace title. That nagging thought now brushed aside, THQ is now happy to report that Tetris: Evolution is now available from your friendly neighborhood video gaming outlet for the price of US$ 29.99.

This Tetris carries with it Xbox Live functionality that include downloadable and customizable themes, backgrounds, skins, and icons, as well as online ladder and offline four-player multiplayer matches, and the requisite Gamerscore and Achievements. In addition, there are all-new gameplay modes that include Go Low, Eraser, and the co-op Hotseat. (Legal baggage not included)

Mind where you walk: falling bricks ahead.

   

We're back with some brand new Tetris Evolution screenshots from THQ. In the previous articles we discussed some of the features that will be in the game. So far, these screenshots show the various background (and might we add, scenic) skins that will be accessible through play. It appears that the backdrops will mostly be landscapes although there is one with baseballs in the background.

We're a bit worried that some of the backdrops may be a bit too colorful and distracting to the player as the game space in which the blocks fall is translucent. Whether this could be a nagging issue to look into, only a chance to playtest the game will tell. Until then, check back for more updates and information on Tetris Evolution.

 

 

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Editor's note: for those who ask if this will be an XBLA title or a boxed release... the official PR never clarified that. A quick survey of the internet shows similar confusion:

• IGN and GameSpy says it's an Xbox Live Arcade release,
• Gamespot has a miniature boxart for the game, but no reference to a boxed release,
• GameSetWatch presumes it's a boxed release and not an XBLA title because GameFly has an entry for Tetris Evolution (also features boxart)
• Kotaku hasn't clarified the original PR, and thus doesn't give any indicator
• And we're still knocking on THQ's door for an answer.

We guess it comes back to wait-and-see. GameFly does have the title for rent at their site - but it's not beyond imagination that they can yank the page out if it was a mistake: the game is yet to drop (scheduled for March).

As reported in a previous article, THQ and The Tetris Company have settled their differences to bring Tetris: The Grand Master Ace aka Tetris Evolution to the 360.

That was specifically for the North American release. Eurogamer was able to corner a THQ UK spokesperson who informed them that there's nothing to announce regarding the title getting to European shores. According to the spokesperson, "It's not that I can't talk about it; we haven't got anything to announce."

Tetris: The Grand Master Ace Tetris Evolution will feature single player and multiplayer modes of up to four players, customization and online play, plus an addition of new content and gameplay modes. Leaderboards and Achievements will be included also. We'll watch out for further announcements regarding this, so stay glued.

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CORRECTION: The original title of this article was "No Tetris for Europe?" As you can see by the text above, the article asserted that two different Tetris games were one and the same.

However, Tetris: The Grand Master Ace or Tetris: The Grand Master Ace 4 (sometimes called "T4" for short), is not the same game as Tetris Evolution.

• Tetris: The Grand Master Ace
• Developed by Arika (a Japanese company)
• Published by AQ Interactive (a Japanese company)
• Released in Japan on December 10, 2005
• European version will be released on December 31, 2007
• There seems to be no US / North American version
• Tetris Evolution
• Developed by California-based Mass Media Inc.
• Published by THQ
• It seems the game will be released only in the US in 2007

Okay, we have to repeat ourselves for clarity's (and sanity's) sake. When we reported that THQ and The Tetris Company settled their legal differences last year, the game was still called Tetris: The Grand Master Ace.

Now we have this report from GameInformer saying that THQ will bring Tetris: Evolution to Xbox 360s - presumably on the North American continent - this March. Is it the same game with a new title, or is it something brand-new?

We can't be sure with the info we have (we'll keep this under The Grand Master Ace until further notice, but THQ said "debuting Tetris on the Xbox 360," if that's a clue). GameInformer said that this next-gen Tetris will include two new game modes: Go Low, which sounds like those bricks are going to be doing the limbo rock, and Eraser.

Between this and Lumines Live!, we can only say one thing. Heads up for falling bricks; this is now a hard-hat zone.

In a surprising move, THQ Inc. is bringing Tetris Evolution to the Xbox 360. While releasing Tetris seems a bit queer considering Halo 3 and the other big name games on the Xbox 360, the game will definitely have an audience. It has been going strong for 20 years and counting so it can be expected that the game will be received by the Xbox 360 community with open arms.

So what does Tetris Evolution have to offer that we haven't seen before? The game will have multiplayer which will allow you to challenge other players over Xbox Live. In addition, they will also be introducing a new matchmaking system which will allow you to compete against players your own skill level. New modes of gameplay (single or multiplayer is possible) include "Go Low" and "Eraser".

The fact that the game can (and probably will) be played in HD would make the Tetriminos (Tetrads to others) look like they're popping out of the screen. They will also have lots of hi-res background and videos so you can actually watch something in the background while playing tetris.

Only time will tell how THQ has reinvented the game. From all indications though, this game has the potential of keeping you up all night with the intention of playing "just one more level".