Hatris Explained

Hatris
Developer:ParaGraph
Publisher:Bullet-Proof Software
Video System Co. (arcade)
Designer:Alexey Pazhitnov, Vladimir Pokhilko
Composer:Hiroshi Suzuki
Ikki Nakamura (NES)
Released:1990
Genre:Puzzle
Modes:Single-player
Series:Tetris
Platforms:Arcade, NES, Game Boy, TurboGrafx-16, NEC PC-9801, Sharp Wizard, mobile phones

is a puzzle video game developed by Alexey Pajitnov and Vladimir Pokhilko of ParaGraph for Bullet-Proof Software. An arcade version was manufactured by Video System.

Gameplay

Hatris plays similarly to Pajitnov's previous Tetris, in that game objects falling from the top of the screen must be arranged in specific patterns to gain points and to keep the play area clear. In Hatris, hats of different styles fall from the top of the screen and accumulate at the bottom. To eliminate hats from the play area, five hats of identical style must be stacked. Different style hats stack differently.

Ports

Hatris was released in arcades, on the Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy and TurboGrafx-16, and on the NEC PC-9801 home computer.[1] Additionally, two versions of the game exist on the Sharp Wizard, the first of which being released in December 1990,[2] and the second being called Organizer Hatris and releasing in 1991.[3]

Hatris DX, a mobile remake of the game, was released by Alti in 2004.[4] Another mobile version of the game was released by G-Mode in 2006.[5]

An unofficial port of Hatris exists on the Acorn Archimedes, being developed by Joeri De Winter and first releasing on 18 September 1997.[6]

Reception

In Japan, Game Machine listed the arcade version of Hatris on their June 1, 1990 issue as being the eighteenth most-successful table arcade unit of the month.[7]

Entertainment Weekly gave the Game Boy version of Hatris an A and wrote: "There is, after all, a cure for Tetris addiction. It’s Hatris, a habit that's even harder to kick."[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PC98 - ハットリス. refuge.tokyo. 3 July 2024.
  2. Book: Hatris for Sharp PA-9500 Manual. Micro Cabin. December 1990.
  3. Book: Organizer Hatris for Sharp OZ/IQ-8600 Manual. Sharp. 1991.
  4. Web site: Alti launches "Hatris DX" for Vodafone. 1 April 2004. 3 July 2024. Keitai Watch.
  5. Web site: G-mode releases V-app "Hatris". GAME Watch. 3 July 2024.
  6. Web site: Index of /archive/Games/H/Hatris (FR)/. Archimedes Archive. 3 July 2024.
  7. Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos). Game Machine. 381. Amusement Press, Inc.. 1 June 1990. 29. ja.
  8. Strauss . Bob . New Videogames . Entertainment Weekly . Time Inc . May 24, 1991.