FORTRESS (GAME BOY ADVANCE GBA)

Fortress is a Tetris-like puzzle game. As in this classic game, geometric pieces fall from the top of the screen and must be arranged in lines. Only instead of eliminating lines, the objective this time is to add them to the screen. The game starts with a timer (which counts a time when no player is attacking) and a castle gate falling between two flags (opponent's flags are visible on the left of the screen). Once placed, the remaining pieces are used to build a castle around it, as each grid of 2x3 pieces turns into its walls. An 8x3 piece grid transforms into a wizard tower that can summon a creature to attack the enemy castle.

Some special blocks add functionality to the building: a cannon block places a firing cannon that automatically starts attacking the opponent's fortress. A block with a window adds one to the building. Repair peons come out to help repair the damage to the castle walls. A block with a bomb adds a cannon that fires a peon towards the opponent's castle (an aiming reticle is displayed above the enemy castle to help pick the right spot). Building walls around these special blocks prevents them from being destroyed by enemy attack. A monster randomly appears at the bottom of the screen to attack both players.

The player's objective in each level is to reach a certain number of score points before the opponent. Pieces can be maneuvered with the number pad, and pressing them causes them to quickly fall downwards. They can be turned clockwise and counterclockwise with buttons A and B, respectively. Holding the R trigger allows the player to pan the screen with the numpad (for a full view of the battle scene). When pressed, the L trigger destroys the first 3 rows of your castle and lowers the score.