Tetris

Series

B

Tetris [Edit] [Talk]

Tetris is a series of puzzle video games released on a variety of consoles. The original game was developed by game designer Alexey Pajitnov in 1984 while living in Moscow, and it spawned many variations, ports, and clones. The name Tetris is derived from the Russian word for "four". The Tetris brand is currently owned by Tetris Holding and licensed through The Tetris Company.

The first console variant of Tetris was developed and published by Bullet Proof Software for the Famicom and released in Japan on December 22, 1988. Nintendo's first Tetris title, which was Tetris for the Game Boy, was released worldwide a few months later and it has since been credited as the Game Boy's killer app.

When playing Tetris games, tetriminos of different shapes and colors will fall from above and will drop to the bottom. The objective is to construct a horizontal line without any gaps, which will result in the line being cleared. As the game's level number increases, the blocks will fall faster and become harder to manipulate.

Gameplay[]

The gameplay of Tetris games involves seven differently shaped and colored blocks that fall from the top of the board. As they fall, the player can create lines which will result in the line disappearing. The primary objective in Tetris games is to not allow the blocks to raise above the board (classified as "topping out"), which will result in a game over.

The blocks included in the game include I, J, L, O, S, T, and Z. The only block that is capable of clearing four lines is the I block. The J and L blocks can clear three lines, and in some games players can turn the blocks in a way that will fit it into a tight space. The colors of the blocks change with each new variation.

When the blocks are falling, players are allowed to turn it so that it can fit in a particular place. However, while players do this the block itself will continue to fall down. In some versions of the game, players are allowed to keep spinning the block even if it happens to be touching another block, though this will usually only last for a short time if playing in multiplayer mode (for example, in Tetris DS players only be allowed to do this for a few spins until it connects). Some critics have said that it breaks the game, seeing as when players play on the hardest level they can continue to spin the block until they find the perfect place for it.

To make a block fall faster, players can press down on the d-pad, though to make it immediately connect with a piece below, players just have to press up on it. In some games, a ghost of the block will be shown below to show the player where it's falling, though this option can usually be turned off for the more advanced players who wish for a greater challenge.

The main goal of most Tetris games is to get a high score. This can be done by continuously clearing lines. Getting a Tetris (clearing four lines) will give players the most points, though performing special moves such as T-Spins in some games can also give players more points. The scoring system changes slightly with each new game released.

Tetrominos[]

There are seven tetromino or block designs, based on the way four squares can be connected orthogonally, with yheir designs varying with each game. The tactics of each tetromino remained with each game, with new twists (such as the T-Spin) being added in some games. The L block has managed to win GameFAQs' 2007 character battle.

I Tetromino
	The I block is the only block that is capable of getting rid of four lines, resulting in a Tetris. In Tetris DS' multiplayer mode, the Starman would give the player an unlimited amount of I blocks for a short time.
J Tetromino
	The J block is among the three blocks that is capable of making three lines disappear.
L Tetromino
	The L piece is among the three pieces that can destroy three lines in the original game, though this would change in future variations where most of them could actually do so. It won the GameFAQs' 2007 character battle.
O Tetromino
	The O piece is a perfect square. It can get rid of two lines.
S Tetromino
	The S piece was one of the four original pieces that couldn't clear three lines, though this was changed in future games.
T Tetromino
	The T Block can fit in almost every space that the S and Z blocks can fit into. It is the only block in which the color of it has been different from each other in the major variations.
Z Tetromino
	The Z block is similar to the S block though is reversed. Just like the S Block, it is one of the four original pieces that couldn't clear three lines, though this would change in future variations.

Music[]

All music tracks are based on Russian songs.

Game Boy Type A - The most recognizable track, widely known as the Tetris Theme. Based on the 19th century Russian folk song Korobeiniki.
NES Type A - A track based on Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy from the Nutcracker Ballet.
NES Stage Clear - A track based on the overture for Georges Bizet's Carmen.

The early 1.0 version of the Game Boy game only released in Japan known as the Minuet version, feature songs that differ from the Russian songs that were changed in the 1.1 version that was released internationally.

Games[]

1988-1996[]

The games released in this time frame were produced by either BPS or Nintendo and licensed by Elorg.

Title	Region(s)	Platform(s)	Publisher(s)	Release date
Tetris	Japan	02	BPS	1988-12-22December 22, 1988
Tetris	Japan	06	Nintendo	1989-06-14June 14, 1989
	North America			1989-07-31July 31, 1989
	Europe			1990-09-28September 28, 1990
Tetris	North America	04	Nintendo	1989-11November 1989
Tetris	Europe	04	Nintendo	1990-02-23February 23, 1990
Tetris 2 + Bombliss	Japan	02	BPS	1991-12-13December 13, 1991
Super Tetris 2 + Bombliss	Japan	07	BPS	1992-12-18December 18, 1992
Super Tetris 2 + Bombliss	Japan	09	BPS	19951995
Tetris 2	Japan	02	Nintendo	1993-09-21September 21, 1993
	North America	04	Nintendo	1993-10October 1993
	North America	06	Nintendo	1993-12December 1993
	Japan			1994-06-14June 14, 1994
	Europe			1994-10-27October 27, 1994
	Japan	07	BPS	1994-07-08July 8, 1994
	North America	08	Nintendo	1994-08August 1994
	Europe	08	Nintendo	19951995
Tetris Battle Gaiden	Japan	07	BPS	1993-12-24December 24, 1993
Super Tetris 3	Japan	07	BPS	1994-12-16December 16, 1994
Tetris & Dr. Mario	North America	08	Nintendo	1994-12December 1994
Tetris & Dr. Mario	Europe	08	Nintendo	1995-07-25July 25, 1995
Super Bombliss	Japan	07	BPS	1995-03-17March 17, 1995
Tetris Blast	Japan	06	BPS	1995-03-17March 17,1995
	North America		Nintendo	1996-01January 1996
	Europe			1996-06June 1996
	Australia			19961996
V-Tetris	Japan	10	BPS	1995-08-25August 25, 1995
3D Tetris	North America	10	Nintendo	1996-03-22March 22, 1996

1996-2006[]

The games released in this time frame were licensed by The Tetris Company, which was partly owned by Elorg until they went defunct. Elorg is credited in every title here except the South Korean version of Tetris DS.

Title	Region(s)	Platform(s)	Publisher(s)	Release date
Tetris Attack	North America	08	Nintendo	1996-08-11August 11, 1996
	North America	06		1996-08-11August 11, 1996
	Europe	08		1996-11-28November 28, 1996
	Europe	06		1996-11-28November 28, 1996
Tetris Plus	Japan	06	Jaleco	1996-12-27December 27, 1996
	North America		Jaleco	1997-08-25August 25, 1997
	Europe		Nintendo	19961996
Tetrisphere	North America	11	Nintendo	1997-08-11August 11, 1997
	Europe			1998-02February 1998
	Australia			19981998
Tetris DX	Japan	13	Nintendo	1998-10-21October 21, 1998
	North America			1998-11-18November 18, 1998
	Europe			1999-07-01July 1, 1999
Tetris 64	Japan	11	SETA	1998-11-13November 13, 1998
Magical Tetris Challenge	Japan	11	Capcom	1998-11-20November 20, 1998
	North America		Capcom	1999-01-14January 14, 1999
	Europe		Activision	1999-09September 1999
	Japan	13	Capcom	1999-11-21November 21, 1999
	North America		Capcom	2000-02February 2000
	Europe		Activision	2000-03-24March 24, 2000
The New Tetris	North America	11	Nintendo	1999-07-31July 31, 1999
The New Tetris	Europe	11	Nintendo	1999-10-15October 15, 1999
Tetris Worlds	North America	14	THQ	2001-09-05September 5, 2001
	Europe		THQ	2001-12-07December 7, 2001
	Japan		Success	2002-04-26April 26, 2002
	North America	16	THQ	2002-06-23June 23, 2002
	Europe		THQ	2002-09-27September 27, 2002
	Japan		Success	2002-12-20December 20, 2002
Pokémon Tetris	Japan	17	The Pokémon Company	2002-03-21March 21, 2002
Pokémon Tetris	Europe	17	Nintendo	2002-03-15March 15, 2002
Minna no Soft Series: Tetris Advance	Japan	14	Success	2003-11-28November 28, 2003
Tetris DS	North America	18	Nintendo	2006-03-20March 20, 2006
	Australia			2006-04-13April 13, 2006
	Europe			2006-04-21April 21, 2006
	Japan			2006-04-27April 27, 2006
	Korea			2007-07-07July 7, 2007

2008-present[]

The games released in this time frame were licensed by The Tetris Company after Elorg went defunct.

Title	Region(s)	Platform(s)	Publisher(s)	Release date
Tetris Party	Japan	23	Tetris Online	2008-10-14October 14, 2008
	North America			2008-10-20October 20, 2008
	Europe			2008-10-24October 24, 2008
Tetris Party Deluxe	North America	18	Majesco	2010-05-25May 25, 2010
	North America	21	Majesco	2010-05-25May 25, 2010
	Japan	18	Hudson Soft	2010-08-05August 5, 2010
	Japan	21	Hudson Soft	2010-08-05August 5, 2010
	Europe	18	Nintendo	2010-09-03September 3, 2010
	Europe	21		2010-09-03September 3, 2010
	Australia	21		2010-10-14October 14, 2010
Tetris Party Live	North America	20	Tetris Online	2010-11-22November 22, 2010
Tetris Party Live	Europe	20	Tetris Online	2010-12-03December 3, 2010
Tetris Axis	North America	24	Nintendo	2011-10-02October 2, 2011
	Japan		Bandai Namco	2011-10-20October 20, 2011
	Europe		Tetris Online	2011-10-21October 21, 2011
	Australia		Tetris Online	2011-10-27October 27, 2011
Puyo Puyo Tetris	Japan	24	Sega	2014-02-06February 6, 2014
	Japan	26		2014-02-06February 6, 2014
	Japan	29		2017-03-03March 3, 2017
	North America			2017-04-25April 25, 2017
	Europe			2017-04-28April 28, 2017
	Australia			2017-04-28April 28, 2017
	Korea			2017-12-01December 1, 2017
	China			2017-12-01December 1, 2017
Tetris Ultimate	Australia	24	Ubisoft	2014-11-06November 6, 2014
	North America			2014-11-11November 11, 2014
	Europe			2014-11-14November 14, 2014
Tetris 99	North America	2999	Nintendo	2019-02-13February 13, 2019
	Japan			2019-02-14February 14, 2019
	Europe
	Australia

Cancelled games[]

Tetris Attack (64DD, 1999, would appears when the player plays The New Tetris with the add-on connected)
Tetris Wars (Cancelled)

Clones/Spin-offs[]

Many clones and spin-offs of the game were made either by Alexey himself or other companies.

Hatris (Made by Alexey Pajitnov)
Wordtris (Made by Alexey Pajitnov)
Pac-Attack (Made by Namco)

Reception[]

The game was phenomenally successful, and has spawned numerous variants on multiple consoles. Tournaments have even been established.

Trivia[]

In Nintendo's Tetris for the NES, a secret ending will feature Donkey Kong, Peach, Mario, Luigi, Pit, Bowser, Link, and Samus.
Nintendo Power V10 contained a 16-page strategy guide with helpful tips for playing Tetris.

Other appearances[]

Super Smash Bros. Brawl - In this Wii title, the music for games A and B were featured and would be played on the Luigi's Mansion stage.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U - In the 3DS version, Type A appears without an associated stage. In the Wii U version, Type A returns to the Luigi's Mansion Stage, but Type B is moved to Wuhu Island.