Tetris 64

Tetris 64
Developer(s)	Amtex
Publisher(s)	Seta
Platform(s)	Nintendo 64
Release	JP: November 13, 1998
Gameplay info
Next pieces	1
Playfield size	10 × 22
Hold piece	No
Hard drop	No
Rotation system	Sega rotation (Rotation Center off) / Tetris 64 Rotation (Rotation Center on)

Tetris 64 is a game that was released in Japan for the Nintendo 64. It included a "bio-sensor" that measured the player's heart rate, for use in the Bio Tetris mode, and was the only game for the Nintendo 64 to use the sensor.

Tetris

The standard mode. The player can choose one of the three gameplay types originally from Tetris 2 + Bombliss.

• A-Type: The regular marathon mode. The player can start from levels 0 to 30. Level increases every 10 lines.
• B-Type: A stage mode. Each level has 6 heights (0-5, corresponding to 0, 3, 6, 8, 10, 12 lines of garbage). Clearing 25 lines will pass the stage, causing the player to advance a height. Clearing height 5 will advance the level.
• C-Type: Garbage mode. At certain intervals, garbage will rise from the bottom of the field. Gameplay is mostly the same as A-Type.

Giga Tetris

Giga Tetris sometimes gives the player giant pieces. When a line is made involving a giant piece, instead of clearing it will split into vertical dominoes. The dominoes will disappear if involved in a line clear. The mode also has cascade gravity.

Playfield width can be adjusted (options are 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20).

Bio Tetris

Bio Tetris is based around measuring the player's heart rate using the Bio Sensor. Based on the player's heart rate, the game will give out harder or easier pieces.

The heart indicator changes colour depending on the player's heart rate, with red representing the slowest rate, followed by yellow, green and blue.

More specifically, the extra pieces are divided into two groups as follows:

Group	Pieces
A Group
B Group

Bio Tetris is the only mode where 5-line clears are possible. Performing one will add 1,800 points to the player's score.

Options

The game includes a surprising number of options, particularly regarding rotation. Moreover, enabling some of these options allows the player to perform unique spin moves, including an O-Spin (though these are not recognised by the game).

Page 1

• Bio Feedback:
  • Normal: Makes the game harder (more B Group pieces) as heart rate increases.
  • Reverse: Makes the game harder (fewer B Group pieces) as heart rate increases.
• Sensor Check: Check the bio sensor (if attached).
• Top5 Display: Displays high scores.
• Top5 Default: Resets high scores.
• All Default: Resets all settings.

Page 2

• Rotate Button: Configures rotation buttons. Default is Normal.
  • Normal: A button rotates clockwise, B button rotates counterclockwise.
  • Reverse: A button rotates counterclockwise, B button rotates clockwise.
• Line Move: Controls downward movement behaviour. Default is Smooth.
  • Smooth: Pieces move downward smoothly.
  • Line: Pieces move downward snapped to the grid.
• Down Guide: Toggles a guide for the current piece (the columns it occupies will be highlighted). Default is Off.
• Rotate Center: Controls which rotation system is used. Default is Off.
  • On: Tetris 64 rotation system - Rotation centres will all be located at one of the piece's constituent blocks.
  • Off: Sega rotation system.
• Double Turn:
  • On: Enables 180-degree rotation by double tapping a rotation button in a tight space.
  • Off: Normal rotation.
• Offset Turn:
  • On: Enables wall kicks.
  • Off: Disables wall kicks.
• Random Color: If on, randomises piece colours.
• Random Angle: If on, randomises spawn orientation.

Gameplay notes

The player is able to move pieces not only during ARE, but also when lines are being cleared.

The game over condition is a partial lock out.

External Links

• Hard Drop thread showcasing unique spins