Hatris (NES)

Hatris
Developer(s)	Bullet-Proof Software
Publisher(s)	Bullet-Proof Software
Platform(s)	NES
Release	US: 1992
Gameplay info
Next pieces	1
Playfield size	6 × ?
Hard drop	Yes

Gameplay

See also: Hatris series gameplay overview

Hat Types

Name	Score	First Level
Derby	50	01
Cowboy Hat	80	00
Baseball Cap	120	00
Top Hat	150	00
Wizard Hat	200	03
Crown	300	06

Helper System

The NES version of Hatris awards two types of Helper icons for clearing five sets of certain hats. Clearing five sets of derbies, baseball caps, or cowboy hats awards a Vladimir icon. Clearing five sets of top hats, wizard hats, or crowns awards an Alexey icon. A maximum of eight Helper icons can be stocked at a time.

Pressing the B button removes any hats under active control from the playfield, and calls out the helper associated with the most recently awarded icon. Vladimir is able to swap two selected columns of hats. Alexey is able to remove up to five hats from the bottoms of selected columns of hats.

At the end of each level, the player is given the option to either keep or cash-in each of their stocked Helper icons. Each icon is worth $500*(Level+1)+500*(Shop+1)$ if cashed in. Remaining Helper icons are also automatically cashed-in after completing the final level in the game: Shop 5 Level 9.

Famicom Version

Hatris
Developer(s)	Bullet-Proof Software
Publisher(s)	Bullet-Proof Software
Platform(s)	Famicom
Release	JP: 1990
Gameplay info
Next pieces	1
Playfield size	6 × ?
Hard drop	Yes

The Famicom version of Hatris was released two years earlier than the NES version. There are a number of differences between the two versions of the game. The Famicom version does not feature a bonus for scoring a "hatris" (clearing sets with both hats in a pair). It also does not feature the Helpers introduced in the NES version. (Conversely, the NES version does not feature the Sale screen.)

Hat Types

Name	Score	First Level
Bowler Hat	50	00
Mountaineering Hat	80	00
Cowboy Hat	120	00
Silk Hat	150	00
Pointy Hat	200	01
Crown	300	02

Sale System

Instead of the Helper system, the Famicom version of Hatris had a Sale screen at the end of each stage similar to the one found in various other Hatris games. Selecting a hat type at the Sale screen removes all of that hat type from the screen. Unlike the arcade version, there is no additional scoring bonus associated with strategic use of the Sale system to form and clear hat stacks sized greater than five.