Nintendo brings multiplayer Tetris to DS

Nintendo of America has announced details of the company's plans for Tetris DS, a new version of the ludicrously successful classic puzzle game which will be launched for the Nintendo DS handheld later this year.

The game incorporates a number of new features courtesy of the touch-screen interface and wireless networking capabilities of the console - including the ability to play over the internet on Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection service.

Wireless multiplayer with up to ten players will be possible over local networks, and the game will support sharing, allowing ten players to play off a single game card, while two- and four-player battles will be possible online.

In addition, the game is set to add new play elements using the touch-screen on the DS, and each play mode will use a theme based on a different classic Nintendo franchise, including Mario, Zelda and Metroid.

Tetris DS is due to launch in the United States on March 20th. No European launch information has been released as yet.