Tetris: The Grand Master 2: The Absolute

Overview

Tetris: The Absolute - The Grand Master 2, often abbreviated to TGM2 and known as Tetris: The Grand Master 2 - The Absolute, is a falling-block puzzle game developed by Arika and released by Psikyo for arcades exclusively in Japan on October 2000.

A sequel to the 1998 game Tetris: The Grand Master, The Absolute builds on the high-play Tetris formula with a reworked Grade Recognition System (switching from overall score to the player's overall performance throughout their credit) and increased difficulty (with faster animation on higher levels and much more difficult requirements for the coveted "GM" rank).

The game received an upgrade on December 2000 that was free for arcade operators, known as Tetris: The Absolute - The Grand Master 2 PLUS (or Tetris: The Grand Master 2 PLUS - The Absolute). This version revamps the scoring system to promote quicker play and adds new game modes. Like the original TGM, these versions did not receive a home release at the time, with the "Plus" version later receiving a digital release for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch (both as part of HAMSTER's Arcade Archives series) on June 1, 2023.

Game Modes

Single-Player

Only Master mode uses the series' signature Grade Recognition System.

• Master - The game's main mode, tasking players with reaching level 999 and grading their performance. Unlike the previous game, which only speeds up the game by the piece "gravity", Master mode amps up the difficulty at higher levels by reducing the frame delay for other gameplay mechanics (such as piece entry and line clears). Its requirements for the coveted "GM" rank are also compounded by requiring players to survive a more difficult Credit Roll (where pieces are invisible as soon as they land). Clearing the mode grants a password that, at the time of the game's release, could be inputted on Arika's website for an online leaderboard.

• Normal - A less-challenging version of Master mode for newer players, shortening the game to 300 levels. An additional speed reprieve is added at level 100, and a special piece is dropped at these reprieves ("Free Fall" at 100 and "DEL Even" at 200).

• TGM+ - Added in PLUS, TGM+ features rows of garbage blocks that rise from the bottom of the playfield at intervals (similar to Bloxeed). It includes 999 levels, but no high-level frame delay reduction of Master mode.

• T.A. Death - Added in PLUS, T.A. Death is the most difficult mode in the game, with the game starting out at the maximum piece gravity and reducing the frame delay for other gameplay mechanics throughout the credit. Although there is no GRS, it features its own system that grants players a "M" rank for reaching level 500 under a certain time and a "GM" rank for completing all 999 levels. It also features an early end-game condition if players fail to reach level 500 under a certain time.

Multiplayer

• Vs. Mode - The standard versus mode, where both players try to out-survive each-other, or to either be the first to reach a level threshold or have the highest level when the timer elapses. Each player has a gauge that fills up by placing pieces, which drops one of 19 special item pieces that either aids their board (such as deleting rows of blocks) or hinders their opponent's board (such as forcing them to drop a double-sized piece). In the PLUS version, players can make the matches more difficult using either "TGM+" or "T.A. Death" mode settings.

• Doubles - Hidden in the original version and selectable in PLUS, Doubles is a two-player co-operative mode where both players share the same 14-column board and must both reach level 300 as fast as they can.