Some twenty-six years ago Alexey Pajitnov developed what has surely went on to become the most popular videogame of all-time, Tetris, and has since gone on to populate practically every computer, gaming console, and (increasingly) household appliance you can think of.  While the original concept of mix-matching a handful of specific tetromino pieces into solid lines and try to maintain the highest possible score may seem a bit outdated in today's bloodlust-filled world of online shooters and role-playing adventures, the game continues to thrill millions of fans and new converts every year.  It's truly a game that excels when it's presented in its purest form, as few others can claim to offer the Zen-like experience that a good round of Tetris delivers.

And that's exactly what fans got with Hudson's excellent Tetris Party, which was released as a downloadable game for Nintendo's WiiWare service back in 2008.  Backed by the powers of Majesco, the game returns in boxed retail form for both the Nintendo Wii and DS consoles.  In what's essentially an enhanced port of itself, Tetris Party Deluxe ships with new play modes, features, and new challenges in addition to everything that was included in the original release - including full online multiplayer.  Honestly, it's difficult to find much fault in a package so overflowing with options and a great desire to please fans of the original, but there's no overlooking the feeling that publisher Majesco is double-dipping a bit here.  The real question is, is this 'Deluxe' edition enough for you to take the plunge yet again?

For the most part this is Tetris at its finest for the current generation because, quite frankly, you’d have to be a fool to screw up the proper formula, which has happened more times than I'd like to remember in the past  (Hatris, anyone?).  Thankfully, Hudson and Majesco play it relatively safe here, and instead focus on capturing the mood and gameplay that’s reminiscent of the classic experience, with the expected addition of game modes that are mostly carry-overs from the Wiiware title.  All of these modes, including full Marathon, Field Climber, Stage Racer, and even funky (if somewhat gimmicky) support for the Wii's Balance Board are still present and accounted for.

Of the new modes Bombliss is easily the most explosive new addition to the pack - literally - as it introduces bombs to the party with predictably explosive results.  Master Mode is where expert Tetris players will make their home as it was clearly designed for them in mind, and newcomers probably won't feel very welcome here.  Co-op vs. Co-op is an intriguing new addition, as it (finally) lets teams go at it against each other, with a significantly expanded play area that feels big and imposing.  Most other 'new' features are more enhancements to traditional modes, such as the expanded Field Climber, Stage Racer, and best of all, the new Shadow edit mode that lets you create new puzzles to conquer.

If you’re going solo you get a “beginners mode” to introduce the basics and mini-games that range from clearing 40 lines as quickly as possible, guiding a falling piece through a specific course, to helping a tiny stick-figure man reach the top of the screen by building a climbable platform to name a few. Of course, you can play many of these variants against your friends in your living room or across the globe with online multiplayer through Nintendo WiFi.

Both Wii and DS versions support full online multiplayer modes, and both easily play host to some of the most competitive matches the series has ever seen.  The Wii version supports up to 6-player online matches, while the DS settles for a more sane 4-player online matches.  Interestingly, both versions support online voice-chat (through WiiSpeak or the DS's built-in microphone), though good luck trying to find someone brave enough to talk after a round of punishment.  Locally, the Wii version supports 4-player simultaneous onscreen action while the DS gains the edge with an astonishing 8-player mayhem through single-cart play.  It's worth noting the Wii version is also compatible with the current version of Tetris Party available on WiiWare, and it was never difficult finding challengers from across the globe to engage in relatively lag-free online matches.

Indeed, multiplayer is obviously the main draw whether it’s competitive or cooperative because no matter how hectic things get the experience is usually a lot of fun, and don't be surprised if you end up losing a couple of hours just laughing it up with a few friends.  Tetris has always been a game that thrived on multiplayer, and this remains a concept that both the Wii and DS versions exudes in both on and offline modes.  It's amazing just how seriously its hardcore fans have remained over the years, with some countries (I'm looking at YOU, Japan) stacked with players with dizzying skills and champions.  The Halo and Call of Duty fans could learn a thing or two from these guys.

It's a shame the actual presentation wasn't a bit more impressive, especially given how exciting and artistically creative some of the best versions of Tetris have been over the years.  That's not to say the game looks bad, because it doesn't, and most will probably find the by-the-books menu displays and interface good enough for their tetromino pleasures.  Anyone who's ever played some of the best Nintendo editions (particularly the amazing 2006 Tetris DS) knows just how far presentation can go to livening up a classic puzzler.

So the real question is: just what exactly is “Deluxe” about these boxed copies of a downloadable game?  Honestly, not too much, outside of the addition of extra modes and enhancements to what was already a pretty solid package. Attentive fans will probably appreciate new Master and Bombliss Clearing, and there's plenty of  new co-op challenges to keep things hot long into the night.  Still, some may claim (and rightfully so) that Nintendo has done such a poor job in marketing their online store that most people may have simply never heard about the original Tetris Party, or that memory limitations on the Wii console itself only made downloading the game a hassle.  Having a physical copy remedies those problems, and gives owners more flexibility in how they might choose to treat their purchased copy once its in their hands.  Good luck trying to lend out or (gasp!) trading in your downloaded copies.

And DS owners starved for a good version of Tetris (good luck finding Tetris DS), its appearance here means they finally have a great version of their favorite puzzler, and one stacked with more options and online modes then they'll ever need.

Fans who purchased the original WiiWare release will probably want to skip the updated Tetris Party Deluxe, which offers very little content outside of small additions and gameplay enhancements.  Those who love their Tetris and prefer boxed media, however, will find much to love here.  The online multiplayer is fast and furious (maybe a bit too furious for some), and the ability to play with original Tetris Party players is a nice feature.  DS owners should definitely take a look, as this is the best portable Tetris since the original Tetris DS, which has become almost impossible to find since it went out of print.  Either way, this is an exemplary version of the most popular videogame ever made.