Squad up in Tetris 99’s new team mode

Nintendo added Team Battle Mode in its latest Tetris 99 update, but it’s not exactly what you’d expect from a battle royale.

Instead of grouping up into teams of two or four, players choose one of four teams at the beginning of a Tetris 99 match. Then you play Tetris 99 as usual, and the last squad standing wins. Smaller teams in Tetris 99 will get power boosts to make up for the lack of players, Nintendo said in its news release.

Players that get knocked out early will move to spectator mode and can cheer on their pals — plus, they’ll get experience points if they stick around.

A new “password-based matchmaking feature” will allow players to easily find friends to group up for Team Battle and regular matches.

Other features added with the Dec. 10 update are “new button configuration options and new user emblems.” Likewise, players can now spend 30 Tetris 99 tickets to buy themes from previous events, like the original Tetris, Splatoon, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, and Super Kirby Clash themes that were previously available.

Anyone with Tetris 99 and Nintendo Switch Online will get the update for free.