Tetris Blast

Did You Know?

• Tetris Blast was released in Japan as Super Bombliss on March 17, 1995, the same day a Super Famicom version also called Super Bombliss appeared.
• Both versions of Super Bombliss were re-released in the 2024 compilation Tetris Forever.

Gameplay

The objective is to clear blocks before the stack reaches the top, as in original Tetris. Unlike that game, Tetris Blast lets players slide blocks after they have landed. Some blocks contain bombs; when a line is cleared, any bomb in that row explodes, potentially triggering chain reactions. Three modes exist: a training mode with ten selectable drop speeds and no end; Contest mode, where the player clears a pre-filled chute by placing new blocks and bombs; and Fight mode, where insect-like enemies add blocks, eat bombs, or insert entire rows. Players can hinder these enemies by dropping blocks on them or detonating bombs. A two-player mode via Game Boy link cable is available, but not when using the Super Game Boy adapter.

Development

Tetris Blast traces its origins to Bombliss, a game designed by Akihiko Miura. In spring 1989, Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov traveled to Japan and met Tsunekazu Ishihara, who presented the concept. Ishihara served as producer for Tetris 2 + Bombliss, a title that took two and a half years to create and launched for the Famicom in Japan on December 13, 1991. Bullet-Proof Software developed Tetris Blast.

Reception

In Japan, Famitsu reviewers noted the lack of a puzzle mode and said the training and contest modes felt repetitive from earlier Bombliss titles. One reviewer found it less exciting than the Super Famicom version, while another called the fight mode surprisingly good. Game Informer described it as one of the more entertaining Game Boy puzzle games in a while. Nintendo Power editors found it very fun and addictive, with four of five giving it their Editors Pick. Some newspaper reviewers compared it unfavorably to the original Tetris, with the Lincolnshire Echo saying the bomb mechanic was a mere novelty. The Los Angeles Times called it fun but not as fun as the original, yet pretty darn good against other games. Mega Fun considered it a worthy continuation with interesting ideas, though the predefined levels would not hold attention long.