Some blocks are held for charity, and some for fancy dress... Tetris 99 has added DLC that makes the game playable against something other than 90+ people. The "Big Blocks" DLC is now available on the eShop for US$9.99/C$12.59, and adds two new modes: Marathon Mode for solo play, and a Vs CPU mode that involves challenging 98 AIs. More modes (included with the purchase) are planned for the future, as well as new themes. An upcoming Tetris 99 Maximus Cup will see players who earn the equivalent of one win (100 points for a win, 50 for second, and so on) an ingame theme based on the Game Boy version. The 3rd cup will occur from May 17 - 19.<doc-sep>Nintendo has released the Tetris 99 Big Block DLC for $9.99 that includes offline modes like CPU Battle and Marathon. Tetris 99 Big Block DLC 4 IMAGES Have you played Tetris 99? YES NO Loading Revealed via Twitter, the Big Block DLC for Tetris 99 is a one-time purchase that will also give players all future game modes as they are added to the Nintendo Switch title.CPU Battle allows players to practice their skills against 98 other bots while Marathon will task players to survive as long as possible while clearing as many lines as they can.Additionally, Nintendo also announced the Tetris 99 3rd MAXIMUS CUP for May 17 - May 19 that will help celebrate Tetris' 35th anniversary.Those who participate and earn at least 100 event points from online battle will unlock an in-game theme that is inspired by the original Tetris Game Boy game. Event points are "awarded based on rank achieved in each battle you compete in during the event. "Tetris 99 was originally released on February 13, 2019, for free for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. In our review of Tetris 99, we said that it is "a riveting take on an all-time classic, Tetris 99 is wondrous pandemonium in a (battle royale) bottle." Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN who NEEDS that Game Boy theme ASAP. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst.<doc-sep>The big picture: Nintendo wisely launched Tetris 99 as a free-to-play, online-only game earlier this year. Now that it has had time to attract a base of loyal fans, the company is launching its first paid DLC to further monetize the game. Nintendo launched Tetris 99 in mid-February as a battle royale-style puzzle game. As the name suggests, the online-only (until now) title pits you against 98 other players in the popular puzzler. The last person standing wins. The new Big Block DLC, out now on the Switch for a one-time fee of $9.99, introduces a new offline mode in which you can hone your skills against 98 computer-controlled foes. There’s also a more traditional marathon mode in which you try to clear as many lines as possible before succumbing to your inevitable doom. Because both modes are played entirely offline, a Nintendo Switch Online membership isn’t required. You’ll still need a Switch Online account to play the standard Tetris 99 with other human adversaries, however. Nintendo said additional game modes are coming but didn’t share any further details. The Japanese gaming giant also announced that the third Maximus Cup online event will start on May 17 at 12 a.m. Pacific and run through 11:59 p.m. Pacific on May 19. Participants that manage to earn 100 points during the event will unlock a special Game Boy theme. More details on scoring can be found over on Nintendo’s Tetris 99 website.<doc-sep>Tetris 99, the online Switch phenomenon, has gotten its very first paid DLC, which is focused entirely on offline modes. Thanks to dataminers, we’ve known for a while that more modes are coming, but now they’re actually available. Two new modes are available right now: CPU Battle and Marathon. A third will follow at a later date. Watch on YouTube Marathon Mode is the Tetris you know and love. You set a speed, you drop blocks, and things speed up as you score points until eventually you can play no more. It’s classic Tetris. CPU Battle is, effectively, a practice mode for Tetris 99’s online multiplayer. You can take on 98 CPU opponents and hone your skills without needing to worry about all of the other online players ganging up on you. Pair this with our tips and tricks for the game and you’ll have a strong shot at that number 1 slot. The DLC carries a US$9.99 (or your regional equivalent) price tag and is available now. In other Tetris 99 news, the third Tetris 99 Grand Prix, the Maximus Cup, begins on May 17. If you earn 100 points between May 17 and 20, you’ll unlock the Game Boy Tetris skin, which is a lovely retro throwback. Screenshot of the Tetris 99 Game Boy theme pic.twitter.com/REZhw0uurx — Wario64 (@Wario64) May 10, 2019 Because these modes are offline, they are available to users without a Nintendo Online subscription as well. The base, online version of Tetris 99 remains free.<doc-sep>
Tetris 99 Big Block DLC adds Marathon and CPU Battle modes One of the best games to be release on Nintendo Switch this year is getting its first big DLC with new game modes. Tetris 99 is the video game gift that keeps on giving. Nintendo has announced that a new Big Block DLC is coming to the game today. The Big N is also holding the third MAXIMUS CUP online event. The Big Block DLC costs $9.99 in a one-time purchase. The DLC comes with CPU Battle where players can square off against 98 CPU opponents. Marathon mode is also being added for players who just want to clear the most lines possible without being attacked in the battle royale. Nintendo says that information about additional updates will follow at a later date. The next MAXIMUS CUP kicks off on May 17 for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. Any participants who earn 100 event points by the end of the event will unlock a sweet in-game theme inspired by Game Boy. The event will kick off on May 17 at 12:00 AM PT and ends on May 19 at 11:59 PM PT. Head over to the official Tetris 99 website to find out more about the MAXIMUS CUP. Sadly, there is no word on another song being added to the game. Tetris 99 players are also interested in new modes inspired by the Battle Royale genre like duos or squads. It would be cool to jump into the fray with friends in the game. Tetris 99 already requires a Nintendo Switch online membership, so it is kind of weird for a game tied to a service to sell DLC. This is the world we live in, and the Big Block DLC sounds pretty dang awesome. I know that I will have no problem ponying up the $9.99 for a game that I have been playing almost everyday since its launch. If you have a Switch Online subscription, and haven't tried it out yet, check out our Tetris 99 strategy guide.