Tetris Party introduces a number of new game modes. In addition to the 15-level traditional single player only marathon mode, the single and multiplayer versus modes, and Vs. Hot Lines and Team Battle modes returning from earlier games, as well as the return of Bombliss, these new modes include:
Beginner's Tetris: The traditional 15-level game with larger blocks, a smaller playfield and new polyominos such as a three-block line, a two-block line and a small three-block L-shape.
Wii Balance Board Tetris: A variation of Beginner's Tetris in which players control falling Tetriminos using the Balance Board, leaning left and right to move the Tetrimino, leaning forward or backward to drop it, and squatting to rotate it in a clockwise direction. This game type also includes a 3-minute high-score mode called "Balance Ultra" and a Vs. Computer battle mode.
Co-op Tetris: Two players work together simultaneously on a double size playfield to clear lines.
Field Climber: The player builds layers of blocks to help a tiny man reach the top of the screen. The mode is time-based, and also available in online versus play.
Shadow: Players must race to fill in a background image with Tetriminos, while not allowing any pieces to lie outside of the puzzle in the process. This mode features new Tetrimino shapes and a total of 30 puzzles.
Stage Racer: The player guides a single Tetrimino downward through a narrow twisting passage, being sure not to get it caught on the sides.
Dual Spaces: A Reversi-inspired mode where players section off empty space, and gain points for every empty space they lockout by placing their Tetriminos to create larger areas of their own color.
The multiplayer versus modes support up to four players offline and six players online through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and feature new powerups that utilize the pointer and motion functions of the Wii Remote. The game also keeps skill charts and statistics and features online leaderboards and more than 130 achievements for players to monitor their progress. The game does not include any multiplayer marathon modes. Garbage is not optional in multiplayer mode as it was in The New Tetris.
Tournament play
Both Hudson and Tetris Online have organized tournaments for players of the game, with the first held in December 2008. Each tournament involves the different game modes in Tetris Party, with the first and third tournaments featuring four rounds with four different game modes contested in each. There was a total of four tournaments where the top 500 in the first and third tournaments and top 100 in the second and fourth tournaments would be credited with 1,200 Nintendo points to use for either the Wii Shop or DSiWare Shop.
Reception
''Tetris Party''
Tetris Party received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. IGN called it "the best console version we've seen in years" and a "must buy", though they were slightly disappointed in the somewhat limited online multiplayer. Nintendo Life praised the online play in general and called it "the most robust online Tetris experience money can buy" next to Tetris DS, though they were also disappointed in the limited online play modes and felt the game is geared more towards local multiplayer than for solo players. Official Nintendo Magazine was very impressed by the "addictive online play" and commented on the "great variety of modes". They also loved the "classic Tetris gameplay" and thought it was "good value for your points." However, they did mark it down as they thought the "Balance Board mode was a bit gimmicky." The game was nominated for multiple Wii-specific awards by IGN in its 2008 video game awards, including Best WiiWare Game and Best Puzzle Game.
''Tetris Party Deluxe''
The DS version of Tetris Party Deluxe received "generally favorable reviews", while the Wii version received "average" reviews, according to Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one eight and three sevens for the DS version, and one eight, one six, one seven, and one eight for the Wii version.
''Tetris Party Live''
At the time of release, Tetris Party Live received "average" reviews according to Metacritic.
