The Next Tetris contains the classic game of Tetris described above, but the featured game is quite a variation on the original. Fans of classic Tetris will need to do a fair amount of re-thinking the game. The Next Tetris starts with some "garbage" pieces at the bottom of the screen, and players must clear the board within a given amount of time. A new feature involves Cascades. Regular Tetris pieces are used in this game, as well as Multiminos that consist of different colored blocks. When a Multimino lands, the piece separates its blocks by their color. This means that the separating piece can fall into empty spaces and create Cascades.

While the goal of classic Tetris is to play as long as you can by clearing as many lines as possible before you "top out", this new variation requires a player to race against a timer, trying to clear the field. As well, in the classic game of Tetris, players avoid creating spaces in their lines, but in the new Tetris, spaces can be part of an overall strategy and integral to the creation of Cascades. Players must train their minds to think quite differently.

Different choices of gameplay are available, as follows:

• One Player Game: play against the clock, trying to clear the garbage pieces at the bottom of the field against a timer, in a total of 3 rounds..
• Two Player Game: play side-by-side with a friend, attempting to be the first one to clear the field. A fun feature of this mode is the ability to distract your opponent -- clearing more than one line at once spins your opponent's playfield in various ways, depending on the number of lines you clear.
• Marathon: is for one player, and involves playing against the clock to clear garbage pieces at the bottom of the field. Players have 15 levels in total that each is more challenging than the last.
• Practice Mode: players can choose a level to practice on.
• Score Marathon: players clear lines to score points, and the falling speed becomes progressively faster as more lines are cleared. This version is much like Classic Tetris, but features Multiminos and Cascades.
• Classic Tetris: the classic game we all know and love.

There are improved graphics and sound effects, though nothing spectacular. But, let's face it, there is not a lot of room for creativity in the graphics department with such a straightforward game. The blocks do wobble though! There are some options available to control background music and sound effects.

Two player mode is great fun! Players work side-by-side attempting to be the first to clear their field. One of the best features of this mode is the ability to distract your opponent by clearing multiple rows, which spins the other player's entire playfield!

A Sony PlayStation version of The Next Tetris is also available. Two player mode is easier on the PlayStation because each player has his/her own controller. However, the graphics of the game are somewhat different between the two versions -- making a line was considered to be more clear with the PC version.

Technically Speaking
Minimum requirements are Windows 95/98, a 486 /66 (Pentium 90 processor recommended), 8 Mb RAM (16 Mb RAM recommended), and 2X CD-ROM (4X CD ROM recommended). Internet connection is required, as well as a Windows 95/98-based email account that uses file attachments.

Skills Covered
puzzle, strategy.

Educational Value
This is an arcade game, after all, but it is also a form of a puzzle that requires some thought (especially the new-fangled version of Tetris).

Entertainment Value
The classic Tetris arcade game has proven its addictive entertainment through the years, and the new variations will be similarly so, especially for puzzle lovers.

Design
There are loads of options available to customize the game -- customize game controls, sound effects, background music, fullscreen/window, etc. The jewelcase insert contains some helpful techniques to help understand the Next Tetris gameplay. There are a number of ways to play, including two-player modes. I would have liked to have a faster and easier way to exit the game, however.

Replayability
This game is very addictive! Replay value is very high as a result. The fact that it doesn't require that the CD-ROM be in the drive after first install means it is very accessible.

Dollar Value
Suggested retail price is $29.95 US. (I tend to think that remakes of classic arcade games should be in the $20 range).