Metacritic Games

Wetrix (Nintendo 64)

This all-wet Pak takes full advantage of the N64's graphics capabilities while delivering the high head-scratching factor that puzzle freaks crave. As with all great puzzle games, the premise is brilliantly simple: move and stack falling puzzle pieces on a 3D landscape to trap falling rainwater. The longer you go drip-free, the more points you'll earn. Ah, but you didn't think that matters would be that simple, did you? Geologic mayhem ensues if you don't build your dams just right. Stack pieces too high, and you'll cause an earthquake. Drop a piece in the wrong place and you'll puncture the fragile crust, allowing water to drain out. You can drop bombs and mines to level the landscape and fireballs to steam water away. Ice cubes will freeze your reservoirs and rainbows will melt them again. Wetrix offers five modes, including two-player Multiplay. This Pak -- published, appropriately enough, by Ocean - delivers a wet 'n wild time for all puzzle fans. [Nintendo]

Ocean
Puzzle
Players: 2
E (Everyone)
Developer: Zed Two
Released July 1, 1998

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

81 / 100

Critic Reviews

90	Nintendorks Take everything you love about puzzle games, throw in fast-paced arcade/pinball style action, and you have Wetrix. What began as an attempt to program realistic looking water on the Nintendo 64 has turned into one of the best and most original puzzle games ever conceived.
88	GameSpot So what's the gameplay like once you get the logistics down? In a word, irresistible. Not only is the pace challenging from the get-go, Wetrix has taken the hidden constituent that makes most good puzzle games addictive, and has upped the dosage.
86	TotalGames.net Wetrix is weird, wild and incredibly addictive. It might not appeal to you if you're not keen on puzzle games, although you might surprise yourself if you give it a try.
84	IGN Wetrix is an addictive waste of time for one player and shows that there is still room for innovation and originality in the puzzle genre. Buy it, but don't expect to immediately like it. It takes time.
80	GameShark Wetrix is one of those rare gems that has no big license, no familiar characters, and no big budget advertising, but if you search for it and find it, will provide you with a very enjoyable, and very original gaming experience. There's nothing watered down about this game.
80	GamePro Wetrix works. It might not click with every puzzle fan at first; but after a few hours, the addiction’s pretty potent, and Wetrix starts to show itself as more than a mere digital water demo.
80	Electric Playground Puzzle games generally come in two flavors, crappy Tetris rip-offs and intelligent Tetris rip-offs. I'm happy to report that other than the fact that Wetrix has shapes that fall from the sky, the gameplay is completely and refreshingly original.
80	Nintendojo It's tough to go up against Tetrisphere but Ocean managed to do quite a nice job of dealing with the puzzle concept. Great work.
80	Games Domain Wetrix definitely offers something fresh - daring to stray away from the more commercial arcade games. As an overall package, Wetrix is of premium quality in almost every area, and could definitely hold its head up high if passing Bust-A-Move 2 or Tetrisphere in the street.
80	All Game Guide A plethora of interesting and enjoyable play modes are provided, but it's the sheer simplicity and great design of the Classic mode that will keep players firmly entrenched in front of their television sets in search of that elusive high score.
70	Hot Games Once you get the hang of things, Wetrix can be an addictive and fun puzzler. Don't feel bad if you can't be bothered to dip your toe in, though - you won't be the only one.

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