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Classic Game Spotlight: Revisiting the Legacy of 'Tetris'

Jan 24, 2024 by Louigi Balao

3 min read

    
AB_Classic Game Spotlight_ Revisiting the Legacy of _Tetris_

Can you hear it? That unmistakable bopping Tetris theme music that has become synonymous with timeless gaming fun? Yes, indeed!

The timeless, blocky puzzle that fits perfectly in our hearts.

Out of the abundant library of titles in video games, there is a title that withstood the test of time, standing before us as a timeless classic—Tetris. Since its release way back in 1985, it was said that only AI could beat the game, but this was proven wrong since Blue Scuti, known as Willis Gibson, entered and dominated the scene.

The First Time Somebody Has Ever "Beat" Tetris

Some skeptics may doubt this achievement; however, Vince Clemente, the president of the Classic Tetris World Championship, affirmed to the New York Times, “It’s never been done by a human before. It’s basically something that everyone thought was impossible until a couple of years ago.” Amazing!

Even after all these years, Tetris remains relevant and active, prompting us to shine a spotlight on this enduring classic.

Blocky beginnings, Moscow. Yep, Tetris was developed by a Russian computer scientist named Alexey Pajitnov. While working at the Dorodnitsym Computing Centre in the Soviet Union, he drew inspiration from his innate love for puzzles and math, birthing Tetris!

From The Seattle Times Official Website

The game's name, "Tetris," is a blend of "tetra," meaning four in Greek, and "tennis," Pajitnov's favorite sport. This deceptively simple game involves manipulating falling geometric shapes to create solid lines that disappear once completed, giving the player points on the scoreboard.

The goal? Well, earn the highest points without being overrun by stress-inducing blocks–simple enough.

Although popular in the Soviet Union, it wasn’t until Erno Rubik, the inventor of the Rubik's cube, brought Tetris to the attention of American entrepreneur Robert Stein. This led to the distribution rights for home computers and eventually brought Tetris to American soil. For a detailed account of this journey, the movie “Tetris,” starring Taron Egerton, offers an engaging watch.

From GIPHY Gaming Official

The real breakthrough was when Nintendo fully acquired the rights to Tetris for its Game Boy around 1989, a huge console success thanks to its addictive and replayable nature.

S-spinning with charm–get it? At its core, Tetris offers a satisfying experience through its simple mechanics. Rules are easy to understand and allow players to jump straight into the action. After successfully reaching the next level, the game adds complexity through speed, prompting the game's brain to think and act faster. There is no clash of age, language, or culture. Everyone experiences the same thrill at an equal level.

From Michelle Porucznik Official GIPHY

If you’ve ever tried Tetris Battle on Facebook, you will understand how satisfying and frustrating it is to dominate and be dominated. I can’t count the number of hours I spent playing that game and thinking about it in my free time—I had quite the addiction before. This just speaks volumes about the game’s adaptability to various platforms, old or new. Its seamless transition across the generations has provided the same joy it gave during its release.

Whether you're a seasoned gamer or someone who rarely plays, the experience of solving puzzles in the world of falling blocks can captivate you. It isn’t just playing a game; it's a legacy that adapts through time.

If you want to try out this classic and only have your laptop, you can try the game out here. If your network isn’t up to speed to try it out, you may need to have it upgraded. With PLDT Home Fiber Plus plans, you will no longer have to worry about buffering or slow loading thanks to its fiber-fast speeds!

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go indulge in this game myself.

 

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