Launching across Europe on 21st April, Tetris is ready to re-capture the hearts of millions once again. Combining the world famous falling block puzzle with new and exciting modes, Tetris now includes the ability to play anyone around the world via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.

Back in 1989 the world became obsessed with Tetris when it took the Game Boy by storm. Adored by all, young or old, players were hooked as soon as they picked it up. Now it's time for a whole new generation to experience the craze that introduced puzzle games to the mainstream. Tetris DS combines the much loved original game with all new modes of game play, including the Touch Mode, which takes Tetris to a completely new level of gaming allowing for the first time ever to move blocks around the screen using the Nintendo DS stylus and touch screen.

Via the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection service, you can really take on the rest of the world! Players can connect with up to three players from around the world and battle it out to be the ultimate Tetris champion. What's more, up to ten Nintendo DS owners can battle it out together, even if only one player has a game card! An innovative point-based rating system based on players' battle results, also lets users check the skill of their opponents before taking them on! Players can select to take on all challengers in intense two or four player versions of the Standard Mode, as well as playing the unique two player versus mode provided by Push Mode.

Players can hone their construction skills through any one of six different modes contained in Tetris DS, each featuring a theme based on classic Nintendo games such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda and Metroid. As well as Nintendo theme based modes, the modes also contain remixed classic Nintendo music, guaranteed to bring sweet music to any player's ears. Traditional falling blocks and line clearing strategy remain essential, however the Nintendo DS's touch screen opens up a whole new level of interactivity for the player as the screen is used to twist and turn the blocks.

The game's Standard Mode is a faithful recreation of the much-loved Tetris. However, as the player completes lines, the computer plays through the original Super Mario Bros on the top screen. Push Mode adds a Donkey Kong themed tug-of war spin to Tetris, where players race to 'push' their opponents off the screen by completing lines. Touch Mode makes use of the Nintendo DS touch-screen, with a distinct Balloon Trip feel as players drag towers of blocks around to make lines. Yoshi themed Puzzle Mode challenges players to clear 200 pre-programmed puzzles with a selection of blocks. There is only one correct combination so the challenge is definitely a head-scratcher! Mission Mode gives players a series of Zelda themed tasks to complete and Catch Mode is a wacky space based game with a Metroid theme. Players must control a flying block and catch other blocks to make 4x4 grids.

So prepare to be hooked on one of the world's most addictive puzzle games ever! Tetris DS is unleashed across Europe on the Nintendo DS from 21st April 2006 for the estimated retail price of around £30.

Click onto www.nintendo-europe-media.com for all of the most up to date official information on Nintendo. ...

Launching across Europe on 21st April, Tetris is ready to re-capture the hearts of millions once again. Combining the world famous falling block puzzle with new and exciting modes, Tetris now includes the ability to play anyone around the world via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.

Back in 1989 the world became obsessed with Tetris when it took the Game Boy by storm. Adored by all, young or old, players were hooked as soon as they picked it up. Now it's time for a whole new generation to experience the craze that introduced puzzle games to the mainstream. Tetris DS combines the much loved original game with all new modes of game play, including the Touch Mode, which takes Tetris to a completely new level of gaming allowing for the first time ever to move blocks around the screen using the Nintendo DS stylus and touch screen.

Via the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection service, you can really take on the rest of the world! Players can connect with up to three players from around the world and battle it out to be the ultimate Tetris champion. What's more, up to ten Nintendo DS owners can battle it out together, even if only one player has a game card! An innovative point-based rating system based on players' battle results, also lets users check the skill of their opponents before taking them on! Players can select to take on all challengers in intense two or four player versions of the Standard Mode, as well as playing the unique two player versus mode provided by Push Mode.

Players can hone their construction skills through any one of six different modes contained in Tetris DS, each featuring a theme based on classic Nintendo games such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda and Metroid. As well as Nintendo theme based modes, the modes also contain remixed classic Nintendo music, guaranteed to bring sweet music to any player's ears. Traditional falling blocks and line clearing strategy remain essential, however the Nintendo DS's touch screen opens up a whole new level of interactivity for the player as the screen is used to twist and turn the blocks.

The game's Standard Mode is a faithful recreation of the much-loved Tetris. However, as the player completes lines, the computer plays through the original Super Mario Bros on the top screen. Push Mode adds a Donkey Kong themed tug-of war spin to Tetris, where players race to 'push' their opponents off the screen by completing lines. Touch Mode makes use of the Nintendo DS touch-screen, with a distinct Balloon Trip feel as players drag towers of blocks around to make lines. Yoshi themed Puzzle Mode challenges players to clear 200 pre-programmed puzzles with a selection of blocks. There is only one correct combination so the challenge is definitely a head-scratcher! Mission Mode gives players a series of Zelda themed tasks to complete and Catch Mode is a wacky space based game with a Metroid theme. Players must control a flying block and catch other blocks to make 4x4 grids.

So prepare to be hooked on one of the world's most addictive puzzle games ever! Tetris DS is unleashed across Europe on the Nintendo DS from 21st April 2006 for the estimated retail price of around £30.

Click onto www.nintendo-europe-media.com for all of the most up to date official information on Nintendo. ...

Speaking at GDC, David Collier, CEO of Tokyo-based mobile content provider Pikkie, has argued that developers must remember the mobile phone is first and foremost a communications device.

According to Collier, developers must make use of that functionality in order to secure and maintain interest from mobile carriers, something which he sees as key since "We live in a carrier's world."

Together with Matthew Bellows of Floodgate Entertainment, Collier took the stage at GDC to deliver a presentation on the need for mobile game developers to be more creative.

To demonstrate what can be achieved with innovation in gameplay and a closer working relationship with carriers, the pair showcased Korea-based developer Gamevil's Path of a Warrior. It's the only mobile game to have secured a unique fixed fee with Korean mobile carriers, at USD 10 per month for unlimited play. "I'm sure the American operators are dying to emulate that and help us all make a great business," Collier joked.

Bellows and Collier also heralded EA's Need for Speed as a major step forward for big publishers, in that it takes full advantage of the mobile platform by offering connected multiplayer gaming and downloads - as opposed to a relatively basic single player port of a hit console game.

Taito's Puzzle Bobble was highlighted to demonstrate the idea of real-time connected gaming, and Floodgate's Pet Shop - which enables gamers to enter virtual 'best of show' events with other players in their real-world local or national area - was shown as an example of location based services.

"The mobile phone isn't just a small Game Boy," stated Collier. "It's about connectivity." ...

Nintendo has announced the roll out of more than 600 BT Openzone hotspots in retail stores across the UK and Ireland, giving DS owners free access to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.

More than 500 of the Wi-Fi enabled stores, which include branches of GAME, Gamestation, HMV and Toys R Us, will also feature Download Stations, where Nintendo DS owners can try out playable game demos.

At roll out, single level demos will be available for Polarium and Meteos, and gamers will also be able to download Shigeru Miyamoto's nintendog. April and May will see the arrival of demos for games such as Pokémon Link, Trauma Centre: Under the Knife and Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain?, plus additional content for Animal Crossing: Wild World and a Metroid Prime: Hunters trailer.

To access the online service via the retail hotspots, DS owners must visit a store with a Wi-Fi enabled game inserted into their unit and select the Wi-Fi Connection option. To download game demos, they must choose 'DS Download Play' on the system menu; demos will remain playable for as long as the DS is switched on.

The roll out begins today, and Nintendo predicts that Wi-Fi hotspots in a total of 607 stores will be up and running by the summer. There are already 7500 Nintendo Wi-Fi hotspots across the UK as a result of Nintendo's partnerships with providers such as BT Openzone.

"Nintendo has revolutionised Wi-Fi video gaming, removing all of the negative aspects whilst retaining the fun and diversity it offers and now anyone can join in with the one million other people across the globe currently enjoying our service," said Nintendo UK's general manager, David Yarnton.

"The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service truly offers the mass market a great opportunity to fully embrace Wi-Fi."

Chris Bruce of BT Wireless Broadband added: "The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service is already proving extremely popular with users across the world. From our point-of-view, it's a strong proof-point that Wi-Fi is becoming mainstream."

"We'll really see Wi-Fi coming of age this year and this agreement is taking BT Openzone even further into the high street and retail parks by giving gamers access to Wi-Fi in an easy and accessible format at the point-of-purchase." ...

Nintendo has announced the roll out of more than 600 BT Openzone hotspots in retail stores across the UK and Ireland, giving DS owners free access to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.

More than 500 of the Wi-Fi enabled stores, which include branches of GAME, Gamestation, HMV and Toys R Us, will also feature Download Stations, where Nintendo DS owners can try out playable game demos.

At roll out, single level demos will be available for Polarium and Meteos, and gamers will also be able to download Shigeru Miyamoto's nintendog. April and May will see the arrival of demos for games such as Pokémon Link, Trauma Centre: Under the Knife and Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain?, plus additional content for Animal Crossing: Wild World and a Metroid Prime: Hunters trailer.

To access the online service via the retail hotspots, DS owners must visit a store with a Wi-Fi enabled game inserted into their unit and select the Wi-Fi Connection option. To download game demos, they must choose 'DS Download Play' on the system menu; demos will remain playable for as long as the DS is switched on.

The roll out begins today, and Nintendo predicts that Wi-Fi hotspots in a total of 607 stores will be up and running by the summer. There are already 7500 Nintendo Wi-Fi hotspots across the UK as a result of Nintendo's partnerships with providers such as BT Openzone.

"Nintendo has revolutionised Wi-Fi video gaming, removing all of the negative aspects whilst retaining the fun and diversity it offers and now anyone can join in with the one million other people across the globe currently enjoying our service," said Nintendo UK's general manager, David Yarnton.

"The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service truly offers the mass market a great opportunity to fully embrace Wi-Fi."

Chris Bruce of BT Wireless Broadband added: "The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service is already proving extremely popular with users across the world. From our point-of-view, it's a strong proof-point that Wi-Fi is becoming mainstream."

"We'll really see Wi-Fi coming of age this year and this agreement is taking BT Openzone even further into the high street and retail parks by giving gamers access to Wi-Fi in an easy and accessible format at the point-of-purchase." ...

As visitors to this year's Game Developers Conference eagerly await Phil Harrison's keynote speech later today, Sony has confirmed that PS3 hardware will go on show at the event.

In a statement, the company that there will be "PlayStation 3 kiosks, showcasing the latest hardware and development tools for the next-generation console, including Unreal Engine, COLLADA, PlayStation Graphics Library (PSGL) and performance analysis tools."

Sony also said that the booths would host "demonstrations of games that highlight the new and unique features of the PlayStation platform" - but stopped short of saying whether any of those games would be for the PS3.

However, it was confirmed that several PSP games will be playable at the show, including Loco Roco, Field Commander and Me & My Katamari. Sony will also use GDC to demonstrate the PSP Spot game download service, and new accessories for the handheld such as the PSP headset.

The speech by Phil Harrison, Sony's head of Worldwide Studios, is set to be one of the highlights of GDC. Titled 'PlayStation 3: Beyond the Box', it is scheduled to take place at 10.30am (6.30pm GMT) today - visit GamesIndustry.biz for up to the minute coverage. ...

Source Eurogamer

Sony's announced that World Tour Soccer 2 is due out on PlayStation Portable in June - just in time for you to lose your PSP down the back of a German stadium, presumably.

While Sony's World Tour Soccer PSP game was never going to dethrone Pro Evolution Soccer when it came out, we did find ourselves really quite enamoured with its "challenge" mode, which offered a new take on the whole concept of "arcade football" by actually giving you points for stringing together passes and scoring incredible, John-Arne-Riise-against-Birmingham-7-0-you-knew-I'd-fit-it-in-somewhere style long-range shots. Sensibly, it's this area that WTS2 seems to be keenest to expand upon.

The game will be split into World Tour and Medal modes, which will allow you to work toward unlocking new teams, game modes and All Star teams, but there are a total of 11 game modes overall - and most of the challenge-esque ones are asking for you to discipline yourself in certain ways.

Classic challenge sticks with the original formula, while all-rounder rewards you for bringing in team-mates; time attack is about scoring points against the clock; checkpoint is about your ball-distribution skills; and shot clock is about scoring quickly. If it's anything like the original, you'll compete for bronze, silver and gold medals - and probably get quite addicted to doing so.

On top of that your skills at the actual football will improve - and then you can take on other players in four-player ad hoc and two-player wireless infrastructure modes. Sony's London-based development team has also built in eight new stadiums and 71 international teams.

Given that one of our major criticisms of WTS1 was that the challenge mode was over so quickly, it all sounds good to us. We'll let you know how the game turns out - you can see how it's shaping up in screenshots elsewhere on the site. ...

Bad news for our American friends and import fans - two highly anticipated Nintendo DS titles have been delayed over in the States.

New Super Mario Bros. will now be arriving a week late, on May 15th. Big Brain Academy has also been delayed from late May to June 5th.

But have no fear, Europeans - a Nintendo spokesperson told us that the release dates "have been moved in the US only". Not that they've announced official dates for the games over here, mind, but at least that means we should still be on track to get New Super Mario Bros. and Big Brain Academy early this summer. ...

Bad news for our American friends and import fans - two highly anticipated Nintendo DS titles have been delayed over in the States.

New Super Mario Bros. will now be arriving a week late, on May 15th. Big Brain Academy has also been delayed from late May to June 5th.

But have no fear, Europeans - a Nintendo spokesperson told us that the release dates "have been moved in the US only". Not that they've announced official dates for the games over here, mind, but at least that means we should still be on track to get New Super Mario Bros. and Big Brain Academy early this summer. ...