History VideoGame / TetrisTheGrandMaster

* ''Tetris: The Grand Master'' (UsefulNotes/{{Arcade|Game}}, 1998; aka [=TGM1=]) -- The first game in the series. The easiest in the series (both to complete and to achieve Grand Master rank), though that isn't saying much. Was going to be ported to the Platform/PlayStation, but it was passed over for Blue Planet Software's The Next Tetris. It finally got an official home release in December 2022 when Hamster released the game for the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch and [=PlayStation 4=] as a part of their ''Arcade Archives'' series.

* ''Tetris: The Grand Master ACE'' (UsefulNotes/XBox360, 2005; aka TGMA or simply ACE) -- The only console-specific release in the ''TGM'' series. Due to ExecutiveMeddling by The Tetris Company, ''ACE''[='=]s gameplay deviates strongly from other ''TGM'' games, mostly following the Tetris Company guidelines instead.

* AntiRageQuitting: Aside from being an UsefulNotes/ArcadeGame and thus inherently discouraging ragequitting by charging money for each play, ''Tetris: The Grand Master 3 - Terror-Instinct'' discourages ragequitting in two of its own ways if you're logged in with an account:

* ''Tetris: The Grand Master'' (UsefulNotes/{{Arcade|Game}}, 1998; aka [=TGM1=]) -- The first game in the series. The easiest in the series (both to complete and to achieve Grand Master rank), though that isn't saying much. Was going to be ported to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation, but it was passed over for Blue Planet Software's The Next Tetris. It finally got an official home release in December 2022 when Hamster released the game for the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch and [=PlayStation 4=] as a part of their ''Arcade Archives'' series.

** ''Tetris: The Absolute - The Grand Master 2 PLUS'' (Arcade, 2000; aka [=TGM2+=] or TAP) -- An upgrade to [=TGM2=] released two months later and given to arcade operators for free, that adds two new modes: TGM+ (in which garbage rises from the bottom at intervals), and the infamous T.A. Death mode (in which 20G kicks in ''as soon as the game starts''. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_YqwAzbWRE Here's]] the infamous video that introduced many Westerners to TGM.) TAP was going to be ported to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, but legal issues with TAP's emulation in MAME lead to its cancellation. Fortunately, TAP did eventually see a home console release in July 2023 as part of the ''Arcade Archives'' collection.

* FissionMailed: In [=TGM3=], after a promotional exam, what happens depends on how much you beat the grade by. If you are well above it, it just says you passed. if it's somewhat close, it shows a spinning pass/fail roulette, and stops on pass. If you barely passed, it will stop on fail, but then a gold block drops down to smash it and change it to pass. If you barely failed it stops on fail for real. If you didn't even get close, it just says fail immediately. Since GM is the highest possible grade, it *always* stops on fail for that one, and then changes it to pass if you passed.

* FissionMailed: In [=TGM3=], after a promotional exam, the result is shown on a roulette with "pass" and "fail". The results screen cycles them and stops on "fail," and if you actually passed, a giant O piece will smash the "fail" to replace it with "pass" and [[FireworksOfVictory celebratory fireworks will launch]]. The effect is stronger the higher the grade you were testing for.

** On certain difficulties, when you reach the credits roll the pieces turn invisible.

* RecurringRiff: Several tracks throughout the series reference [[https://youtu.be/1DRW14vScUk "Hardening Drops"]], the level 0-499 BGM from the original ''TGM'', including the [[https://youtu.be/zFQChQr5_ZM Master 0-499]] and [[https://youtu.be/wf0rpeolmx0 500-699]] tracks from ''TGM 2'', as well as [[https://youtu.be/kJ4e7T2mna0?t=21s BGM 1]] and [[https://youtu.be/SqjYdF9au0s?t=11s BGM 3]] from ''TGM 3''. In essence, "Hardening Drops" is to ''TGM'' as "Korobeiniki" is to the ''Tetris'' franchise as a whole. "hardening drops" is heavily based on "2009 sy loop" a sample from, X Static goldmine. This very same sample is also used for "Resolution" Chun-li's the in street fighter Alpha 3.

** ''Tetris: The Absolute - The Grand Master 2 PLUS'' (Arcade, 2000; aka [=TGM2+=] or TAP) -- An upgrade to [=TGM2=] released two months later and given to arcade operators for free, that adds two new modes: TGM+ (in which garbage rises from the bottom at intervals), and the infamous T.A. Death mode (in which 20G kicks in ''as soon as the game starts''. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_YqwAzbWRE Here's]] the infamous video that introduced many Westerners to TGM.) TAP was going to be ported to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, but legal issues with TAP's emulation in MAME lead to its cancellation. Fortunately, TAP did eventually seen a home console release in July 2023 as part of ''Arcade Archives'' collection.

* LoadsAndLoadsOfRules: The series' signature [[GameplayGrading Grade Recognition System]] rules are deceptively complex for a game that's about putting tetrominos into a well to make solid lines. While they basically boil down to "play quickly and make a lot of Tetrises", the exact workings are far more complex than just "more lines means more points". And don't expect ''any'' sort of in-game explanation on how these mechanics work. Game-specific details:

* LighterAndSofter: [=TGM4=] was developed with a theme of "kindness" and incorporated pretty flowery graphics to that end. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yMRaCuHk-o See for yourself.]] [[MoodWhiplash Big step down from]] ''Terror-Instinct'' to '''this''', isn't it?

* ''Tetris: The Grand Master ACE'' (UsefulNotes/XBox360, 2006; aka TGMA or simply ACE) -- The only console-specific release in the ''TGM'' series. Due to ExecutiveMeddling by The Tetris Company, ''ACE''[='=]s gameplay deviates strongly from other ''TGM'' games, mostly following the Tetris Company guidelines instead.

* ''Tetris: The Grand Master ACE'' (UsefulNotes/XBox360, 2006; aka TGMA or simply ACE) -- The only console-specific release in the ''TGM'' series. Due to ExecutiveMeddling on by The Tetris Company, ''ACE''[='=]s gameplay deviates strongly from other ''TGM'' games, mostly following the Tetris Company guidelines instead.

** ''Tetris: The Absolute - The Grand Master 2 PLUS'' (Arcade, 2000; aka [=TGM2+=] or TAP) -- An upgrade to [=TGM2=] released two months later and given to arcade operators for free, that adds two new modes: TGM+ (in which garbage rises from the bottom at intervals), and the infamous T.A. Death mode (in which 20G kicks in ''as soon as the game starts''. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_YqwAzbWRE Here's]] the infamous video that introduced many Westerners to TGM.) TAP was going to be ported to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, but legal issues with TAP's emulation in MAME lead to its cancellation. Fortunatly, TAP has eventually seen an home console release in July 2023 as part of Arcade Archives collection.

** ''Tetris: The Absolute - The Grand Master 2 PLUS'' (Arcade, 2000; aka [=TGM2+=] or TAP) -- An upgrade to [=TGM2=] released two months later and given to arcade operators for free, that adds two new modes: TGM+ (in which garbage rises from the bottom at intervals), and the infamous T.A. Death mode (in which 20G kicks in ''as soon as the game starts''. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_YqwAzbWRE Here's]] the infamous video that introduced many Westerners to TGM.) TAP was going to be ported to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, but legal issues with TAP's emulation in MAME lead to its cancellation.

Despite the franchise's dormancy, Arika vice president (and TGM mastermind) Ichiro Mihara revealed on November 1, 2021 that [[https://twitter.com/miharasan/status/1455059629835120642?s=20 the company is planning to announce ports]] of the ''TGM'' games (although which ones were not specified). As of December 2022, the original TGM's port has been released on Nintendo Switch and [=PS4=], and a potential fourth ''TGM'' game may be considered depending on the success of the ports. A console port of Tetris The Grand Master 2 PLUS on PS4 and Switch has been confirmed for an international release for the 1st June 2023.

* PressStartToGameOver: In most games, a casual player might last about 3-4 minutes before topping out, albeit playing extremely slowly by the game's standards. But in ''Ti'', players who don't know what "Shirase" entails might pick it wondering what the mode is, promptly crap their pants over the ridiculous lock speeds, and get a GameOver in about ten seconds. At least in ''TAP'', "T.A. Death", to the Japanese non-reader's eye, [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast sounds like a mode that newbi should stay away from]].

* PressStartToGameOver: In most games, a casual player might last about 3-4 minutes before topping out, albeit playing extremely slowly by the game's standards. But in ''Ti'', players who don't know what "Shirase" entails might pick it wondering what the mode is, promptly crap their pants over the ridiculous lock speeds, and get a GameOver in about ten seconds. At least in ''TAP'', "T.A. Death", to the Japanese non-reader's eye, [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast sounds like a mode that newbies should stay away from]].

* RecurringRiff: Several tracks throughout the series reference [[https://youtu.be/1DRW14vScUk "Hardening Drops"]], the level 0-499 BGM from the original ''TGM'', including the [[https://youtu.be/zFQChQr5_ZM Master 0-499]] and [[https://youtu.be/wf0rpeolmx0 500-699]] tracks from ''TGM 2'', as well as [[https://youtu.be/kJ4e7T2mna0?t=21s BGM 1]] and [[https://youtu.be/SqjYdF9au0s?t=11s BGM 3]] from ''TGM 3''. In essence, "Hardening Drops" is to ''TGM'' as "Korobeiniki" is to the ''Tetris'' franchise as a whole.

Despite the franchise's dormancy, Arika vice president (and TGM mastermind) Ichiro Mihara revealed on November 1, 2021 that [[https://twitter.com/miharasan/status/1455059629835120642?s=20 the company is planning to announce ports]] of the ''TGM'' games (although which ones were not specified). As of December 2022, the original TGM's port has been released on Nintendo Switch and [=PS4=], and a potential fourth ''TGM'' game may be considered depending on the success of the ports.

* ''Tetris: The Grand Master'' (UsefulNotes/{{Arcade|Game}}, 1998; aka [=TGM1=]) -- The first game in the series. The easiest in the series (both to complete and to achieve Grand Master rank), though that isn't saying much. Was going to be ported to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation, but it was passed over for Blue Planet Software's The Next Tetris. It finally got annofficial home release in December 2022 when Hamster released the game for the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch and [=PlayStation 4=] as a part of their ''Arcade Archives'' series.

* ProductionThrowback: ''[=TGM3=]'''s Sakura mode serves this to ''Tetris with Manga/{{Cardcaptor mlSakura}} Eternal Heart''.

* ProductionThrowback: ''[=TGM3=]'''s Sakura mode serves this to ''Tetris with Manga/{{Cardcaptor Sakura}} Eternal Heart'', Creator/{{Arika}}'s very first Tetris game.

* ''Tetris: The Grand Master ACE'' (UsefulNotes/XBox360, 2006; aka TGMA or simply ACE) -- The only console release of ''TGM'' until TGM1 was re-released as part of the ''Arcade Archives'' series in late 2022. Due to ExecutiveMeddling on behalf of both The Tetris Company, ''ACE''[='=]s gameplay deviates strongly from other ''TGM'' games, mostly following the Tetris Company guidelines instead.
* ''Tetris: The Grand Master 4 - The Masters of Round'' (Arcade, canceled; aka [=TGM4=] or (T)[=MoR=]) -- The latest game in the ''TGM'' series, originally due to come out in 2010. The new "easy" mode in this game is Konoha mode, a simplified "big" mode in which the goal is to completely clear the playfield of blocks as many times as possible. Its answer to TI's Shirase mode is Rounds, which goes up to at least level 2,500 and adds new gimmicks every several hundred levels. A location test was held in late 2009, but the game was apparently canceled in 2010 for unclear reasons. Until, somewhat out of nowhere, a new location test was held in the US in June 2015 and in Japan a month later, for what was being called ''The Grand Master 2015'', which had the Konoha and Rounds modes available. Apparently there was disagreement regarding licensing, and Arika was actually considering releasing the new game without the ''Tetris'' name, though it would likely result in a lawsuit. Since then Arika and the Tetris Company have had better relations, with Arika developing the (guideline compliant) ''Tetris 99'' for the Switch and the Arcade Archives release of [=TGM=]. However, the as of December 2022, [[VaporWare no news of an actual release of [=TGM4=] has followed.]]

For many years the series was seen as a something of a unicorn among western audiences, as none of the games were officially released outside Japan and none had home ports (until 2022, at least) and even the one home game, ''TGM ACE'' was seen as not exactly a TGM game.

Despite the franchise's dormancy, Arika vice president Ichiro Mihara revealed on November 1st, 2021 that [[https://twitter.com/miharasan/status/1455059629835120642?s=20 the company is planning to announce ports]] of the ''TGM'' games (although which ones were not specified). As of December 2022, the original TGM's port has been released on Nintendo Switch and [=PS4=], and a potential fourth ''TGM'' game may be considered depending on the success of the ports.

** Lock delay (the delay between when a piece lands on something and when it locks into place) is present much like in SEGA and Jaleco ''Tetris'' games; it's the reason 20G is playable ''at all.''

*** The first piece will never be an S or a Z, so you cannot get overhangs in your first few pieces. You also will not get an O as your first piece, as an O followed by S or a Z forces an overhang.
*** The game keeps track of the last 4 pieces dealt, and will select new pieces until it comes across a piece not in the piece history or has already tried 4 times (or 6 in sequels).
*** Said history is initialized to SSSS (or SZSZ in sequels), so such unfortunate piece sequences happen even less often at the start of the game.

*** Shirase is this game's version of T.A. Death, starting off at instant drop with ridiculously tight timings that get ''even stricter'' as the game progresses. The player must reach Level 500 within a specific period of time to keep playing, and fulfill a similar ask to keep playing past Level 1000, up to Level 1300. From Level 500 to 1000, garbage rows spring up from the bottom like in ''[=TGM2=]+''[='=]s TGM+ mode, and from Level 1000 to Level 1300, blocks take on a monochrome "[]" skin.

** ''[=TGM2015=]''[='=]s C button, intended as a LagCancel button, was also accidentally implemented as a clockwise rotation button.

* LagCancel: ''[=TGM2015=]''[='=]s C button removes the delay for fast horizontal movement and turns sonic drop into a standard hard drop when held down. Unfortunately, [[GameBreakingBug it's also a clockwise rotation button]].

* NintendoHard: On top of the difficult learning curve, getting GM in any of the games (other than [=TGM1=]) is a feat that takes many months, if not years, to attain. As of this update, there are maybe about 100 or so players with a GM rank in TAP Master (a mere three of which come from outside of Japan), and ''sixteen'' Ti [=GMs=], with four from outside Japan. [[note]]a total of 5 on Classic Rule; 3 on World Rule; 8 on both rules[[/note]] That said, the series is actually some of the fairest games in the ''Tetris'' franchise.

* {{Retraux}}: The final 300 levels of Shirase mode (out of 1300) change the block designs to monochrome (in Classic Rule) or green (in World Rule) "[]" blocks, a tribute to the original Electronika-60 ''Tetris''.

* WordSaladTitle: ''Tetris: The Absolute - The Grand Master 2 PLUS'', ''Tetris: The Grand Master 3 - Terror-Instinct'' and ''Tetris: The Grand Master 4 - The Masters of Round''. Whew, that's a mouthful.

The ''TGM'' series plays a bit similarly to usual ''Tetris'' games (specifically, Creator/{{Sega}}'s versions of the game). However, there are a few mechanics that alter the game dramatically. Leveling up, for instance, is no longer just done through clearing lines; instead, ''every piece you drop'' will raise the level counter by one, as well as clearing lines (one per line clear). However, level numbers also take on a different meaning: the game speeds up only at particular levels, rather than with every level. The level stops going up at level ''n''+99, where ''n'' is a multiple of 100; at that point you must clear a line to level up.

At level 500, the game's drop speed maxes out and pieces drop ''instantly'' in what is known as "20G"[[note]]20 grid cells per frame (1/60th of a second). The playing field is 20 blocks high. Do the math.[[/note]] speed, forcing you to slide pieces along the stack (or ground) into place. And in newer games, some of the game's finer details are adjusted to make the game harder. 20G went on to be featured in other, more mainstream ''Tetris'' games, such as ''Tetris DS'', but most of those games had a mechanic known as "infinite rotation", so in practice, the drop was instant but the lock could be delayed indefinitely for each piece; this is not the case in ''TGM''. In speed-ups after 20G, the time that the pieces take to lock decreases. The game ends at level 999.

* ''Tetris: The Grand Master'' (UsefulNotes/{{Arcade|Game}}, 1998; aka [=TGM1=]) -- The first game in the series. The easiest in the series (both to complete and to achieve Grand Master rank), though that isn't saying much. Was going to be ported to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation, but it was passed over for Blue Planet Software's The Next Tetris. A fan-made conversion program that allows the arcade version to run on a [=PlayStation=] was released in 2020, and on 1 December 2022, Hamster released the game for the Nintendo Switch and [=PlayStation 4=] as a part of their ''Arcade Archives'' series.

** ''Tetris: The Absolute - The Grand Master 2 PLUS'' (Arcade, 2000; aka [=TGM2+=] or TAP) -- An upgrade to [=TGM2=] that adds two new modes: TGM+ (in which garbage rises from the bottom at intervals), and the infamous T.A. Death mode (in which 20G kicks in ''as soon as the game starts.'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_YqwAzbWRE Here's]] the infamous video that introduced many Westerners to TGM.) TAP was going to be ported to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, but legal issues with TAP's emulation in MAME lead to its cancellation.
** ''Tetris with Manga/CardcaptorSakura - Eternal Heart'' (UsefulNotes/PlayStation, 2000; aka [=EH=]) -- A console-exclusive LicensedGame that uses the rotation system of [=TGM2=]. Rather than play Tetris for a grade at high speed, the emphasis is clearing seven jeweled blocks in a Tetris board as quickly as possible (at minimal speeds) over a number of stages, similar to the Sega-produced Tetris derivative ''Flash Point''. A combined time limit for all stages is imposed in the story mode. This mode of play has been carried over into ''Tetris: The Grand Master 3'' as Sakura mode (with the SerialNumbersFiledOff, obviously).
* ''Tetris: The Grand Master 3 - Terror-Instinct'' (Arcade, 2005; aka [=TGM3=] or Ti) -- Makes a few changes to the series' signature rotation system and incorporates the Super Rotation System (the rotation system used in "guideline" ''Tetris'' games). Revises the Master mode grade system and implements a "qualified grade" system that indicates your (roughly) average performance, similar to those of martial arts classes. T.A. Death has been replaced by Shirase mode, which has faster speeds and goes up to level 1,300 instead of 999. For those who aren't too bright at TGM, there's Easy mode, which has a slower speed curve and a special scoring system, as well as Sakura mode, which is based on the "target block"-clearing system from ''Tetris with Manga/CardcaptorSakura: Eternal Heart''. This is also the game on which the infamous [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwC544Z37qo "Invisible Tetris"]] video was recorded.
* ''Tetris: The Grand Master ACE'' (UsefulNotes/XBox360, 2006; aka TGMA or simply ACE) -- The only console release of ''TGM'' until TGM1 was re-released as part of the ''Arcade Archives'' series in late 2022. Due to ExecutiveMeddling on behalf of both The Tetris Company and Microsoft, ''ACE''[='=]s gameplay deviates strongly from other ''TGM'' games.
* ''Tetris: The Grand Master 4 - The Masters of Round'' (Arcade, canceled; aka [=TGM4=] or (T)[=MoR=]) -- The latest game in the ''TGM'' series, due to come out in 2010. The new "easy" mode in this game is Konoha mode, a simplified "big" mode in which the goal is to completely clear the playfield of blocks as many times as possible. Its answer to TI's Shirase mode is Rounds, which goes up to at least level 2,500 and adds new gimmicks every several hundred levels. A location test was held in late 2009, but the game was canceled in 2010 for unclear reasons. The series seems to have died with this, until...
* ''[=TGM2015=]'' (Arcade, release date TBD, working title) -- An in-development ''TGM'' title that recycles many elements from ''TGM 4''. A location test was held in the US in June 2015 and in Japan a month later, and had the Konoha and Rounds modes available. However, as of December 2022, [[VaporWare no news of an actual release has followed.]]

Unfortunately, if you want to play TGM, especially legitimately, you're not going to get a chance so easily. None of the arcade games (aside from the original TGM) have had ports (as mentioned above, [=TGM2=] almost got ported to the [=PS2=]), and ''TGM ACE'', as mentioned above, isn't exactly a TGM game. There are, however, clones that allow you to simulate the TGM series:
* ''VideoGame/NullpoMino'' -- A Java-based open-source clone with a wide variety of modes (not just TGM) and customization, as well as online multiplayer.
* ''[[http://tetrisconcept.net/forum/showthread.html?t=2 Texmaster]]'' -- A more minimalist clone aimed simply at simulating TGM modes. Perhaps noteworthy for inciting the anger of Arika (and allegedly getting the [=PS2=] port of [=TGM2=] cancelled).

The ''TGM'' series plays a bit similar to usual ''Tetris'' games (specifically, Creator/{{Sega}}'s versions of the game). However, there are a few mechanics that alter the game dramatically. Leveling up, for instance, is no longer just done through clearing lines; instead, ''every piece you drop'' will raise the level counter by one, as well as clearing lines (one per line clear). However, level numbers also take on a different meaning: the game speeds up only at particular levels, rather than with every level. The level stops going up at level ''n''+99, where ''n'' is a multiple of 100; at that point you must clear a line to level up.

* ''Tetris: The Grand Master'' (UsefulNotes/{{Arcade|Game}}, 1998; aka [=TGM1=]) -- The first game in the series. The easiest in the series (both to complete and to achieve Grand Master rank), though that isn't saying much. Was going to be ported to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation, but it was passed over for Blue Planet Software's The Next Tetris. A conversion program that allows the arcade version to run on a [=PlayStation=] was released. On 1 December 2022, Hamster released the game for the Nintendo Switch and [=PlayStation 4=] as an entry to their ''Arcade Archives'' series.

** ''Tetris: The Absolute - The Grand Master 2 PLUS'' (Arcade, 2000; aka [=TGM2+=] or TAP) -- An upgrade to [=TGM2=] that adds two new modes: TGM+ (in which garbage rises from the bottom at intervals), and the infamous T.A. Death mode (in which 20G kicks in ''as soon as the game starts.'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_YqwAzbWRE Here's]] the infamous video that introduced many Westerners to TGM.) TAP was going to be ported to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2, but legal issues with TAP's emulation in MAME caused Arika to not publish it.
** ''Tetris with Manga/CardcaptorSakura - Eternal Heart'' (UsefulNotes/PlayStation, 2000; aka [=EH=]) -- A console-exclusive LicensedGame that uses the rotation system of [=TGM2=]. Rather than play Tetris for a grade at high speed, the emphasis is clearing seven jeweled blocks in a Tetris board as quickly as possible (at minimal speeds) over a number of stages, similar to the Sega-produced Tetris derivative ''Flash Point''. A combined time limit for all stages is imposed in the story mode. This mode of play has been carried over into ''Tetris: The Grand Master 3'' as Sakura mode (with SerialNumbersFiledOff, obviously).

* ''Tetris: The Grand Master ACE'' (UsefulNotes/XBox360, 2006; aka TGMA or simply ACE) -- The only console release of ''TGM'' thus far. (A port of TAP for the [=PS2=] had been previously in the works but was scrapped.) Due to ExecutiveMeddling on The Tetris Company's and Microsoft's parts, ''ACE''[='=]s gameplay deviates strongly from other ''TGM'' games.
* ''Tetris: The Grand Master 4 - The Masters of Round'' (Arcade, canceled; aka [=TGM4=] or (T)[=MoR=]) -- The latest game in the ''TGM'' series, due to come out in 2010. The new "easy" mode in this game is Konoha mode, a simplified "big" mode in which the goal is to completely clear the playfield of blocks as many times as possible. Its answer to Ti's Shirase mode is Rounds, which goes up to at least level 2,500 and adds new gimmicks every several hundred levels. A location test was held in late 2009, but the game was canceled in 2010 for unclear reasons. The series seems to have died with this, until...
* ''[=TGM2015=]'' (Arcade, release date TBD, working title) -- An in-development ''TGM'' title that recycles many elements from ''TGM 4''. A location test was held in the US in June 2015 and in Japan a month later, and had the Konoha and Rounds modes available. However, as of July 2016, [[VaporWare no news of an actual release followed.]]

Despite the franchise's dormancy, Arika vice president Ichiro Mihara revealed on November 1st, 2021 that [[https://twitter.com/miharasan/status/1455059629835120642?s=20 the company is planning to announce ports]] of the ''TGM'' games (although which ones were not specified). As of December 2022, the original TGM's port has been released, and a potential fourth ''TGM'' game may be considered depending on the success of the ports.

-> ''[[CatchPhrase Ready, go!]]''

** ''TGM 1'' explicitly indicates the amount of points needed to go up a grade...but at S9, the required points is simply displayed as "??????". As it turns out, not only is there a score threshold (126,000 points), ''but'' there are also "checkpoints" throughout the game that check your current grade and time; failing any of these checkpoints' quotas means you won't get the GM rank. None of this is hinted at in-game.
** The exact workings of subsequent games' grade systems are even more obfuscated. ''TGM 2'' and ''TGM 2+'' don't show your progress towards the next grade (your score is shown, but your score has nothing to do with your grade), and ''TGM 3'' only shows your grade at the very end.