Developed by Thin Chen Enterprise (under the Sachen label) and released in 1990, Pyramid II is an unlicensed falling-block puzzle game for the NES. While it heavily borrows from the Tetris formula, it introduces a significant twist by replacing standard squares with angled, triangular, and irregular shapes. This makes slotting blocks together and clearing horizontal lines considerably more challenging than its inspiration. The game also features a head-to-head two-player mode and improved mechanics over the original Pyramid.
How to Play
Your objective is to manipulate falling blocks to form solid horizontal lines across the bottom of the screen, which then disappear and grant points. If the stack of blocks reaches the top of the playfield, the game is over. Because the pieces feature slanted edges, you must carefully align complementary angles to avoid leaving unfillable gaps.
- Movement: Use the Left and Right Arrow Keys to move the falling piece horizontally. Press the Down Arrow to accelerate its descent.
- Rotation: Press Z or X to rotate the piece and change the orientation of its angles.
- Start/Pause: Press Enter to start the game or pause the action.
- Select: Press Shift to navigate the main menu.
Tips
- Watch the angles: Pay close attention to the slanted edges of your pieces. Placing a piece with a downward slope next to an upward slope is essential for creating flat surfaces that can be cleared.
- Don’t rush the drop: The irregular shapes often require last-second rotation adjustments that aren’t necessary in standard block puzzlers. Take the extra time to ensure the piece will sit flush before committing to a hard drop.
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