Growing up in the 90s really was an absolute gift. I wish I’d appreciated it more at the time but looking back all these years on, it’s clear that it was just simply a better time to be alive. With the Internet in its infancy and social media still be invented, my friends and I threw ourselves into gaming. Literally any kind of gaming – the arcades, the Amiga or a handheld gaming system. My Arcade’s recently released Pixel Pocket Tetris Mini Keychain takes me right back to those golden days and it’s a pure shot of nostalgia that I didn’t know I needed.
With a 1.8 inch full-colour screen, the Pixel Pocket Tetris Mini is actually incredible. After you pop in 3 AAA batteries, the system is ready to go. Designed to look like an old-school gaming device, you simply flick the ‘on’ switch and you’re off. The retro music and visuals will awaken the kid in you, and just seconds into playing Tetris, you’ll remember why it was one of the most popular games at the time. The Pixel Pocket features an A and B button, as well as a direction pad, so you can arrange the pieces and complete rows to score points. You can mute the music if you want, but I left it on as it’s all part of the magic.
The gameplay, as you’d expect, is super simple and Tetris remains as challenging as ever. I wondered if the display might be too small but actually it works really well. It’s easy to see what you’re doing and it’s bright enough to be able to play during the day or in the evening. The controls, as you’d expect, are super simple and the device as a whole aims for simplicity. It’ll take you back to a time when we weren’t all glued to our smart phones and we had devices that were meant for one purpose, not hundreds. The keychain also means you can add it to your keys, or hook it onto your jeans, so you’ve got gaming on the go.
There are 10 bonus games on the system too – Baseball, Checkers, Hit Mouse, Lightning, Panzer Attack, Pobble, Power Robot, Snowball, Submarine and Utmost Warfare. These bring plenty of added value and at RRP of £24.99, you get a lot of gaming for your money. Hit Mouse is one that I particularly enjoyed, which is essentially Whack-A-Mole, and Panzer Attack is a fun shooter that gets progressively harder as you work your way through the levels.
My Arcade Pixel Pocket Tetris Mini Keychain is a fantastic little system and a must-buy for any retro-gaming fan. This is the kind of gift that would be absolutely perfect as a stocking filler for Christmas and it will bring the recipient hours of joy. Gaming doesn’t have to be complicated and it’s often said that simple is more effective. That’s definitely the case here. Buy it for Tetris but keep it for the bonus games. If the festive season becomes too much, get this little gem out and while away the hours!
Released by: My Arcade Buy ‘Pixel Pocket Tetris Mini’ now
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