Summary

Tetris: it's a classic. The game has undergone many reincarnations and hence most of you will be familiar with it. I remember playing it for hours on my Gameboy as a kid—or rather, I remember rowing with my sister and dad about who got to play next and for how long.
I would play on long car journeys (my sister couldn't call dibs then, seeing as she got car sick if she didn't look out the window), whenever I couldn't fall asleep or even occasionally with my friends, four or five of us lounging around in our jammies, trying to beat each other's high scores.

It seems only fitting, therefore, that one of the most well-known game publishers has created the official remake: TETRIS® free was made for Android by Electronic Arts (EA). Let's see what this version of the game has in store for us!

Test device
Samsung Nexus S
Android version: 4.0.3
Root: No
Modifications: None / pure Android

App details
Runs as of
Runs as of: Android 1.6
Apps2SD: Yes
Size: ca. 12.2 MB

Permissions
Network communication
System Tools
Hardware control elements
Storage
Calls

Tetris was invented by a Russian programmer in 1984, its concept based on the board game Pentomino, which features more differently shaped blocks and is more complex than Tetris overall. Gameboy launched Tetris to super stardome; it was the very first Gameboy game. Since then, countless copies and alternative versions ahave come and gone, only have a few have stood the test of time. How will TETRIS® free fair?

The gameplay is exactly the same as the original's that we know and love. Seven geometric shapes drop down from the top of the display in random order, and have to be turned and shifted to best fit into the already existing gaps. A row will disapear as soon as all gaps have been filled by entire/bits of shapes.

The longer you play the faster the game's pace becomes. TETRIS® free also allows players to 'block' shapes that won't fit into any gaps by clicking on the stop button. A second click on 'Stop' and the shape continues its trajectory.

Bottom line:
TETRIS® free doesn't come with any new features. What it can provide is the classic gameplay. So how do we feel about this lack of any new features? We've found it a bit tricky to evaluate this category, seeing as all readers of this review will have a different opinion on whether it's a good or bad thing no new functions are featured. Let's say that TETRIS® free is a great find for anyone looking to play a classic game of Tetris, but if you wanted to experience Tetris with new features this isn't the right app for you.
 

TETRIS® free's controls are phenomenal. Blocks are turned by tapping on the screen, and they speed up when you swipe. Swipe and pull down and the block will drop down immediately. The blocks final position can be displayed if you need a hand conceptualising things. The touchscreen controls are absolutely intuitive—I honestly couldn't think of how they could've been done any better. Graphics are perhaps not quite as stellar, but they will do. TETRIS® free has a fun and colourful look to it, it's just that it's somewhat diffuse on the Nexus S, especially the written bits.

is very fluid indeed and the loading times are over within the blink of an eye.
 

TETRIS® free is available for free from the Android Market, but it is pretty loaded with commercials, both in the menu and whilst playing. Whenever you start a new game you will have to hit 'Skip' in order to jump the ad banner. I found the ads to be quite bothersome and predict a lot of users will share this sentiment, which is why we are only awarding TETRIS® free three stars in this category. Were it not for the ads it would receive four.