Nintendo DS titles similar to Tetris?
December 19, 2010 3:20 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for suggestions for Nintendo DS games similar to Tetris.
My father has always enjoyed playing Tetris. A few years ago I got him a new Game Boy Advance to replace the original gray brick so he could play it again, and this year I'd like to upgrade that with a DS XL (easier to see) and Tetris DS.
However, I'd also like to include another game he might enjoy as well. When I say "similar to Tetris," I mean a game (preferably puzzle-type) that's simple to understand the basics of, but hard to master, and addictive. I've never had a DS myself so I'm not up to date on what's available. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
My father has always enjoyed playing Tetris. A few years ago I got him a new Game Boy Advance to replace the original gray brick so he could play it again, and this year I'd like to upgrade that with a DS XL (easier to see) and Tetris DS.
However, I'd also like to include another game he might enjoy as well. When I say "similar to Tetris," I mean a game (preferably puzzle-type) that's simple to understand the basics of, but hard to master, and addictive. I've never had a DS myself so I'm not up to date on what's available. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Oh, and on the downloadable front there's the Bit Trip Beat game and stuff from Nintendo, a series called Art Style--the AS games are fantastic.
posted by ifjuly at 3:24 PM on December 19, 2010
posted by ifjuly at 3:24 PM on December 19, 2010
You don't have to settle for a Bejeweled clone - the real thing is available for that platform:
http://www.popcap.com/games/ds/bejeweledtwist
posted by JaneL at 3:34 PM on December 19, 2010
http://www.popcap.com/games/ds/bejeweledtwist
posted by JaneL at 3:34 PM on December 19, 2010
I've always preferred Dr. Mario to Tetris. Maybe he will too?
posted by Ufez Jones at 3:43 PM on December 19, 2010
posted by Ufez Jones at 3:43 PM on December 19, 2010
Meteos was, I think, a launch game for the original DS but it's absolutely fantastic. I still play it regularly.
posted by InsanePenguin at 4:25 PM on December 19, 2010
posted by InsanePenguin at 4:25 PM on December 19, 2010
Magnetica is reasonably good.
(Also, I don't mean to be political, but if a bigger screen is becoming important, you might consider switching him to an iPad (or equivalent) rather than just duplicating the DS hardware. There are many, many excellent puzzle game apps and available for much less than DS cartridges (after your higher initial hardware cost).)
posted by fairmettle at 4:30 PM on December 19, 2010
(Also, I don't mean to be political, but if a bigger screen is becoming important, you might consider switching him to an iPad (or equivalent) rather than just duplicating the DS hardware. There are many, many excellent puzzle game apps and available for much less than DS cartridges (after your higher initial hardware cost).)
posted by fairmettle at 4:30 PM on December 19, 2010
Peggle and Picross 3D had me pretty much glued to my DS last summer. Both are simple to get into, and very addictive.
posted by valleys at 5:41 PM on December 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by valleys at 5:41 PM on December 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
Bejeweled twist is... an acquired taste. It's very different from the original match-3 game and not as addictive (IMO).
2nding Zoo Keeper. It has a really, really short and silly storyline, but there's quite a few game modes and that's kept me playing for ages.
Are you dead set on the DS XL? There's sooo many games on the PC now that are aimed exactly at casual players like your dad. Bejeweled 3 on PC is really, really good.
Tetris Party Deluxe has just been released. It's got a couple of new features so maybe compare that to Tetris DS before you buy?
Picross 3D. Extremely addictive, though it's not open ended. But the later puzzles are can be quite challenging if you want to get all the stars (awarded for solving it, under the time limit and with no mistakes) for each of the puzzles. (Picross is also good, but I find it much harder than Picross 3D in the later levels.)
posted by fallsauce at 6:16 PM on December 19, 2010
2nding Zoo Keeper. It has a really, really short and silly storyline, but there's quite a few game modes and that's kept me playing for ages.
Are you dead set on the DS XL? There's sooo many games on the PC now that are aimed exactly at casual players like your dad. Bejeweled 3 on PC is really, really good.
Tetris Party Deluxe has just been released. It's got a couple of new features so maybe compare that to Tetris DS before you buy?
Picross 3D. Extremely addictive, though it's not open ended. But the later puzzles are can be quite challenging if you want to get all the stars (awarded for solving it, under the time limit and with no mistakes) for each of the puzzles. (Picross is also good, but I find it much harder than Picross 3D in the later levels.)
posted by fallsauce at 6:16 PM on December 19, 2010
Another vote for Picross. I've never played the 3D version, but I was pretty hooked on the regular one for quite some time.
posted by jimmereeno at 7:19 PM on December 19, 2010
posted by jimmereeno at 7:19 PM on December 19, 2010
I'll cast another vote for Picross (original and 3D) and Meteos. Best puzzle games on the system.
Both the Brain Age games have sudoku, as well.
posted by zixyer at 7:55 PM on December 19, 2010
Both the Brain Age games have sudoku, as well.
posted by zixyer at 7:55 PM on December 19, 2010
The DSiXL will give you access to the DSiWare download service, which has some of the best puzzle games in the current video game generation. Aquia, Pictobits, Boxlife, Trajectile, Glow Artisan, and Base 10 are all worth looking at.
As for packaged software, I second Peggle, Puzzle League and Dr. Mario.
posted by aparrish at 9:31 PM on December 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
As for packaged software, I second Peggle, Puzzle League and Dr. Mario.
posted by aparrish at 9:31 PM on December 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
Mr. Driller, without question. I'm addicted to it in exactly the same was I was addicted to Tetris.
Dr. Mario too, but I've only seen a version for GBA that looks a little strange on the DX.
posted by callmejay at 10:44 AM on December 20, 2010
Dr. Mario too, but I've only seen a version for GBA that looks a little strange on the DX.
posted by callmejay at 10:44 AM on December 20, 2010
Puyo Puyo! Any of them!
posted by DoctorFedora at 9:32 PM on December 20, 2010
posted by DoctorFedora at 9:32 PM on December 20, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Planet Puzzle League/Meteos, Picross, and Polarium also come to mind. Maybe Word Jong or Neves.
posted by ifjuly at 3:22 PM on December 19, 2010