Software:Tetris Worlds

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Short description: 2001 video game
Tetris Worlds
European PlayStation 2 box art by Roger Dean
Developer(s)Blue Planet Software[lower-alpha 1]
3d6 Games (GBA)
Publisher(s)THQ
SeriesTetris
Platform(s)
ReleaseGame Boy Advance
  • NA: September 24, 2001[1]
  • PAL: December 7, 2001
Windows
  • NA: November 8, 2001[2]
  • PAL: April 5, 2002
PlayStation 2
GameCube
  • NA: June 26, 2002[5]
  • PAL: September 27, 2002
Xbox
  • NA: June 26, 2002[5]
  • PAL: September 20, 2002
Genre(s)Puzzle
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Tetris Worlds is a version of the video game Tetris. Originally released in 2001 for Microsoft Windows and Game Boy Advance, it was later released for Xbox, GameCube, and PlayStation 2 in 2002. In 2003, an Xbox Live version titled Tetris Worlds Online and a single-disc compilation version (bundled alongside Star Wars: The Clone Wars) were released for the Xbox. The latter was bundled with Xbox systems.[6][7][8]

The platform-specific versions of Tetris Worlds were developed by three different companies. Blue Planet Software developed the PC and PlayStation 2 versions, Radical Entertainment developed the GameCube and Xbox versions, and 3d6 Games developed the Game Boy Advance version. All versions were published by THQ under license from The Tetris Company. Tetris Worlds was THQ's first Tetris game. The company later published Tetris Advance also for the Game Boy Advance, Tetris Elements for Windows and Mac OS X, and Tetris Evolution for the Xbox 360. Every version except for Game Boy Advance features a distinctly whispering female voice (Kimberly Unger, credited as eKim) as the announcer. The game has been translated into French, German, Italian, Spanish and Japanese.

Gameplay

Gameplay consists of normal Tetris games. However, there are several game modes, tweaking the way the game works.

Story mode

The goal is to evacuate the homeworld of the Minos before their solar system's sun Hadar goes supernova.

The player can send their Mino Tetrinaut to six different worlds, then play the Tetris variant of that world. When the player plays enough of that world, more Minos are rescued. The better the player does, the more Minos rescued. They will then work to create the world into a home for Minos.

Arcade mode

A four-player game of Tetris Worlds.

This mode is where the player plays two-minute Tetris games of any variant. This is also where multiplayer games are played. The Arcade mode variants are listed as follows:

  • Tetris: "Go for a Tetris". A normal Tetris game, where the player plays until they lose. Losses occur when the Tetriminos reach the top.
  • Square Tetris: While the player plays Tetris, they must also try to combine Tetriminos into squares. Lines cleared containing 4x4 Tetriminos cause large bonuses. This variant originated from The New Tetris.
  • Cascade Tetris: "Go for a Cascade". The player must try to clear lines that cause Cascades. Cascades occur when a cleared line cause other Blocks to fall and clear another line.
  • Sticky Tetris: "Clear the Bottom Line". Players must try to clear the bottom line of "Garbage Blocks". Same-colored Blocks stick together in this mode, hence the name. If 25 same-colored blocks connect, a Critical Mass is formed and are cleared from the Matrix. This variant originated from "The Next Tetris".
  • Hot-Line Tetris: "Go for a Hot-Line". In this mode, there are six "Hot-Lines" in the Matrix. The player must try to clear lines that are on the Hot-Line. Lines cleared anywhere else earn no points.
  • Fusion Tetris: "Activate the Atom Blocks". In this mode, there is a "Fusion Block" at the bottom of the Matrix. Players must try to connect falling "Atom Blocks" to the Fusion Blocks. Atom and Fusion Blocks are not cleared in line clears, and clearing a line containing an Atom or Fusion Block causes a Cascade.
  • Popular Tetris (GBA Version Only): In this hidden mode the game is set up like the original Tetris game. The player clears lines to score points and after every 10 lines the level goes up. Scoring increases on higher levels and there is no time limit; however, this mode stops keeping score once a player reaches 1 million (which is more than 999999, the maximum score on the Game Boy version).

Development

The game had a marketing budget of $2 million.[9]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GBAGCPCPS2Xbox
AllGameN/AN/A3.5/5[10]2.5/5[11]N/A
EGMN/A4.5/10[12]N/AN/AN/A
EurogamerN/AN/AN/AN/A4/10[13]
Famitsu22/40[14]N/AN/AN/A24/40[15]
Game Informer7/10[16]N/AN/AN/AN/A
GameSpot2.1/10[17]5.1/10[18]3.5/10[19]3.1/10[20]5.2/10[21]
GameSpy67%[22]N/AN/AN/AN/A
GameZone8.4/10[23]6/10[24]N/AN/A7/10[25]
IGN5.5/10[26]4.6/10[27]5.7/10[28]3.8/10[29]4.6/10[27]
Nintendo Power3/5[30]3.4/5[31]N/AN/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AN/AN/A2/5[32]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/AN/AN/A6.8/10[33]
Aggregate scores
GameRankings65%[34]54%[35]64%[36]58%[37]59%[38]
Metacritic65/100[39]47/100[40]N/A44/100[41]53/100[42]

The Game Boy Advance and Xbox versions received "mixed" reviews, while the GameCube and PlayStation 2 versions received "generally unfavorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[39][40][41][42] In Japan, where the GBA version was ported and published by Success on April 26, 2002, followed by the Xbox version on November 14,[15] and the GameCube version on December 20,[43] Famitsu gave it a score of one six, one four, and two sixes for a total of 22 out of 40 for the GBA version,[14] and 24 out of 40 for the Xbox version.[15] Tetris Worlds' Game Boy Advance version was a runner-up for GameSpot's annual "Worst Game" award among console games, which went to Kabuki Warriors.[44]

In the PS2, PC, and GBA versions, gameplay contained one major difference from a normal Tetris game. In classic Tetris, when a Tetrimino touches the bottom of the screen, it locks in place. However, in these versions, Tetriminos do not lock until players make them lock (e.g., by using Hard Drop to lock them immediately), allowing players to rotate and move the pieces indefinitely until they are satisfied. Critics said that this made the game too easy (although the countdown clock still runs while the player is using unlimited move and rotate) and GameSpot said that it "broke Tetris".[17][20] However, the GBA version features a hidden version of classic Tetris (titled "Popular" Tetris) that plays without this feature. It is accessed by holding the L button and pressing select on the "Marathon" game select menu.{{citation needed|date=September 2017} "Default" presentation, many reviews did not factor in this mode.[citation needed] In the GameCube and Xbox versions, the "Easy Spin" feature was made optional. However, they still received mostly mixed reviews.[18][21]

In the United States, Tetris Worlds' Game Boy Advance version sold 960,000 copies and earned $26 million by August 2006. During the period between January 2000 and August 2006, it was the 20th highest-selling game launched for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS or PlayStation Portable in that country.[45]

By July 2006, the PlayStation 2 version of Tetris Worlds had sold 850,000 copies and earned $18 million in the United States. Next Generation ranked it as the 71st highest-selling game launched for the PlayStation 2, Xbox or GameCube between January 2000 and July 2006 in that country.[46]

Notes

  1. ↑ Ported to GameCube and Xbox by Radical Entertainment.

References

  1. ↑ "THQ Ships Tetris Worlds for Game Boy Advance". September 24, 2001. http://www.thq.com/Corporate/PressReleases/press-339.asp. 
  2. ↑ Walker, Trey (November 8, 2001). "Tetris Worlds ships". http://www.gamespot.com/pc/puzzle/tetrisworlds/news_2823558.html. 
  3. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (July 26, 2002). "What's New?" (in en-gb). https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46387. 
  4. ↑ "THQ Ships Tetris Worlds for PlayStation 2". March 19, 2002. http://www.thq.com/Corporate/PressReleases/press-408.asp. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "THQ Ships Tetris Worlds" (in en). https://xboxaddict.com/news/2425/THQ-Ships. 
  6. ↑ "GameSpot user reviews page for combo pack". CBS Interactive. 2003. https://www.gamespot.com/games/star-wars-the-clone-wars-and-tetris-worlds/reviews/. Retrieved August 18, 2020. 
  7. ↑ "MobyGames database page". Blue Flame Labs. July 12, 2010. https://www.mobygames.com/game/xbox/star-wars-the-clone-wars-tetris-worlds/release-info. Retrieved August 18, 2020. 
  8. ↑ "Comic Books and Video Games.com store page". 2003. https://comicbooksandvideogames.com/shop/star-wars-the-clone-wars-tetris-worlds-combo-xbox/. Retrieved August 18, 2020. 
  9. ↑ "Tetris Worlds Videogame Gets $2M Treatment". October 8, 2001. Archived from the original on February 16, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20250216161847/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA79085531&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-GPS&asid=32945759. Retrieved February 16, 2025. 
  10. ↑ Miller, Skyler. "Tetris Worlds (PC) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115134641/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35082&tab=review. Retrieved September 21, 2018. 
  11. ↑ Weiss, Brett Alan. "Tetris Worlds (PS2) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115082259/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35595&tab=review. Retrieved September 21, 2018. 
  12. ↑ EGM staff (September 2002). "Tetris Worlds (GC)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (158): 162. 
  13. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (October 7, 2003). "Tetris Worlds (Xbox)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_tetrisworlds_x. Retrieved September 21, 2018. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Rodriguez, Steven (April 23, 2002). "Weekly Famitsu GBA Scores". NINWR, LLC. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/7262/weekly-famitsu-gba-scores. Retrieved September 20, 2018. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 "テトリスワールド [Xbox"] (in Japanese). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=2906. Retrieved September 20, 2018. 
  16. ↑ "Tetris Worlds (GBA)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (105): 98. January 2002. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Davis, Ryan (December 10, 2001). "Tetris Worlds Review (GBA)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tetris-worlds-review/1900-2831450/. Retrieved September 21, 2018. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Davis, Ryan (July 11, 2002). "Tetris Worlds Review (GC)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tetris-worlds-review/1900-2874108/. Retrieved September 21, 2018. 
  19. ↑ Kasavin, Greg (December 18, 2001). "Tetris Worlds Review (PC)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tetris-worlds-review/1900-2833589/. Retrieved September 21, 2018. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Davis, Ryan (April 19, 2002). "Tetris Worlds Review (PS2)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tetris-worlds-review/1900-2862079/. Retrieved September 21, 2018. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Davis, Ryan (July 25, 2002). "Tetris Worlds Review (Xbox)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tetris-worlds-review/1900-2875655/. Retrieved September 21, 2018. 
  22. ↑ Bub, Andrew S. (November 23, 2001). "Tetris Worlds (GBA)". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 12, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050112005957/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/november01/tetrisworlds/. Retrieved September 21, 2018. 
  23. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (October 17, 2001). "Tetris Worlds (GBA)". Archived from the original on March 1, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050301174824/http://gameboy.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18669_GBA.htm. Retrieved September 21, 2018. 
  24. ↑ Knutson, Michael (July 20, 2002). "Tetris Worlds Review - GameCube". Archived from the original on September 4, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070904201805/http://gamecube.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18669.htm. Retrieved September 21, 2018. 
  25. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (July 21, 2002). "Tetris Worlds Review - Xbox". Archived from the original on October 9, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071009163645/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18669.htm. Retrieved September 21, 2018. 
  26. ↑ Harris, Craig (October 12, 2001). "Tetris Worlds (GBA)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/12/tetris-worlds-5. Retrieved September 21, 2018. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Mirabella III, Fran (June 26, 2002). "Tetris Worlds (GCN, Xbox)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/06/26/tetris-worlds. Retrieved September 21, 2018. 
  28. ↑ Merriweather, Kip (January 9, 2002). "Tetris Worlds (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/10/tetris-worlds-3. Retrieved September 21, 2018. 
  29. ↑ Dunham, Jeremy (April 4, 2002). "Tetris Worlds (PS2)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/04/04/tetris-worlds-2. Retrieved September 21, 2018. 
  30. ↑ "Tetris Worlds (GBA)". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 150: 148. November 2001. 
  31. ↑ "Tetris Worlds (GC)". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 160: 164. September 2002. 
  32. ↑ "Tetris Worlds". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis): 100. June 2002. 
  33. ↑ "Tetris Worlds". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 109. October 2002. 
  34. ↑ "Tetris Worlds for Game Boy Advance". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/481095-tetris-worlds/index.html. Retrieved September 20, 2018. 
  35. ↑ "Tetris Worlds for GameCube". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/517539-tetris-worlds/index.html. Retrieved September 20, 2018. 
  36. ↑ "Tetris Worlds for PC". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/539982-tetris-worlds/index.html. Retrieved September 20, 2018. 
  37. ↑ "Tetris Worlds for PlayStation 2". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/481096-tetris-worlds/index.html. Retrieved September 20, 2018. 
  38. ↑ "Tetris Worlds for Xbox". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/561782-tetris-worlds/index.html. Retrieved September 20, 2018. 
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 "Tetris Worlds for Game Boy Advance Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tetris-worlds/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance. Retrieved September 20, 2018. 
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 "Tetris Worlds for GameCube Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tetris-worlds/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. Retrieved September 20, 2018. 
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 "Tetris Worlds for PlayStation 2 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tetris-worlds/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved September 20, 2018. 
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 "Tetris Worlds for Xbox Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tetris-worlds/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved September 20, 2018. 
  43. ↑ "テトリスワールド [ゲームキューブ"] (in Japanese). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=14252. Retrieved September 20, 2018. 
  44. ↑ GameSpot VG Staff (February 23, 2002). "GameSpot's Best and Worst Video Games of 2001". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 3, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020803185618/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/. 
  45. ↑ Keiser, Joe (August 2, 2006). "The Century's Top 50 Handheld Games". Future US. Archived from the original on October 10, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071010052300/http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3557&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=0. 
  46. ↑ Campbell, Colin; Keiser, Joe (July 29, 2006). "The Top 100 Games of the 21st Century". Future US. Archived from the original on October 28, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071028115051/http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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