I've wondered how long it would take Tetris to make its way onto the Xbox 360 console. I admit, I thought Tetris would be introduced to the Xbox Live Arcade because it seems like a natural fit, but it seems THQ has other plans. Taking on a full fledged offering of Tetris, the simpleton block dropping original has evolved in Tetris Evolution.

Tetris is one game that has surprisingly lasted over all the years since its conception in the 1980s. I enjoyed various Tetris offerings in the past dating all the way back past the consoles on the PC, up to the delightful Tetris Worlds (2002-2003) on the original Xbox. I really didn’t know what to expect in Tetris Evolution, but given I loved Tetris Worlds, I had an open mind with high hopes. Well, those hopes have been crushed because Tetris Evolution isn’t an improvement over the last version. With Tetris it’s almost impossible to have a bad game, but in this case it’s still a good game because its Tetris, but it's not as good as it could have been.

In Tetris Evolution there are eight game modes plus the ability to go online over Xbox Live and hit up some multiplayer, or stay offline and play with up to four friends. The eight modes are standard to any Tetris regulars with some interesting additions like Go Low which gives extra points on how high your line is that you clear, and Eraser which has you clearing lines at a certain spot on the board. For fans of the other modes the popular Cascade and Hotline return with the standard Marathon mode, along with Ultra and Race and Score modes. All these modes are fun and going online can be fairly competitive, but Mass Media could have been a little more creative considering we are headed into the third decade of Tetris.

If I didn’t have the internet I would have also had a problem with playing through Tetris Evolution and this is because it really doesn’t explain any of the game modes. I had to search online to find out what a “T-Spin” was and exactly how the Eraser mode was played. I guess Mass Media assumed we would understand all the terms, and new modes. I strongly think they should have added a Tutorial mode to help out new gamers to Tetris (there has to be some) and some extra information on techniques and the philosophy that surrounds this classic puzzler.

Another concern with Tetris Evolution is that it doesn’t live up to its Evolution name. Compared to Tetris Worlds we are loosing game modes and have only added moving backgrounds. This isn’t enough to constitute as an evolution. Even my favourite Tetris mode, Sticky Tetris isn’t even available which is a crime... send the KGB.  Too bad THQ switched up developers for this Tetris project, I would have much rather had Radical Entertainment return to spice up another version of Tetris.

There isn’t too much to add to the gameplay of Tetris because after all its Tetris. Everyone knows the game and for the basics it remains unchanged. In that regard Tetris Evolution still scores a decent gameplay score, it’s the other end that drags this down. Tetris Evolution could have been more innovative and carry over to the next generation systems better. I hope this isn’t the end of Tetris for the console spin cycle. I would like to see a more improved Tetris game with a new approach along with the classic added to Xbox Live. It’s a given that the phenomenon of Tetris hasn’t run its course yet, at its core foundation Tetris can never be surpassed.

To give Tetris Evolution a boost in the looks department they have added animated backgrounds similar to Lumines without the cool factor.  The backgrounds can be displayed in video format, or slide show or pictures. Some of the other backgrounds offered are of the moon, blocks, flowers, trees, waves, and a hungry Giraffe eating leaves. You can also change the border surrounding the Tetris board and the player’s icon. They loaded Tetris Evolution up with skins and icons with a surprising 300 icons to choose from. It’s a cool idea to give Tetris a little more flair, but why didn’t they add the ability to import your gamer picture? The animated backgrounds like I mentioned seem like a poor mans Lumines. These backgrounds really don’t look that great in quality and take away from the game. The Tetris board itself is translucent so with certain background it’s becomes to distracting to focus on the game. Not to mention the Giraffe eating the leaves is sadly pathetic and about as uncool as you can get.

For those who love that old Tetris music, it has returned in all its glory. I’m not a huge fan of that music, but I wouldn’t want it left out. Tetris supplies 10 generic songs that you can sub in for that classic Russian music, but like the backgrounds vary few are worth listening too. I felt the blues track was the best, but to each their own. If you haven’t been using the custom soundtrack features on the 360, this would be the perfect game to test out those waters.  In all everything is washed up on the Tetris beach like an overturned whale. It makes me sad to see this classic block dropper turned into a mishmash of generic badness.

Tetris Evolution is priced at the low rate of $29.99 USD which will please Tetris junkies, and I know a few of those. Tetris Evolution isn’t really an evolution of any sorts, it’s more like devolution. I felt Tetris Worlds was a far superior product that didn’t try to add flash to cover up for its lack of content. We really don’t need a next-generation version of Tetris; an Xbox Live Arcade version would have sufficed. Live and Learn. Still at the low price Tetris Evolution is a no brainer, if you love the game, this will still be worth the purchase. Go online and grab some achievements.

Gameplay: 6, Graphics/Sound:4, Innovation: 4, Mojo: 5 Final: 5 / 10