Whilst you may remember the Game Boy Tetris from 1989, there was also a Nintendo Entertainment System version that launched the same year. This one had colour graphics and a slightly different soundtrack.

Lacking the portability of the GB version, it was nevertheless popular. But hasn’t gone down in history the same way the iconic handheld version did.

That is until the last decade or so, when the burgeoning speedrunning community got its hands on NES Tetris and turned it into a big online movement. Hurray! Let’s stack this one up!

NES Tetris Remains a Cult Sensation in Retro Gaming

Okay, so in December 2024 Nintendo has been marking the 40th anniversary of Tetris. The game’s creator, Alexey Pajitnov, has been present to mark the occasion. He’s actually very active in the, also, very active Tetris global community.

The game is a massive phenomenon and still very popular.

But the NES version is something we’ve paid any attention to over the years. It is now available on Nintendo’s online retro gaming selection, launching the other day (12/12/2024) in the NES section. We gave it a whirl and there’s something… engaging about this one.

The clear, sharp pixel graphics and catchy music makes it instantly accessible.

There are two gameplay modes (A and B) with the goal being, as you probably know, to get a high score. You clear lines, primarily aiming to land the big long rectangle tetromino into the gap to wipe about a chunk in one go.

As minimalistic, addictive, and fun as it always has been.

However, there’s no denying there are better versions of the game to play these days. Tetris 99 is fast-paced and frantic fun, while you can try the beautiful Tetris Effect for a chillout wonder.

Yet NES Tetris continues to prevail in one very active gaming community—speedrunners. Here it’s been given a new lease of life, with annual competitions held in its honour to crown the NES Tetris world champion.

NES Tetris’ Speedrunning Half-Life

NES Tetris has taken on a new life in recent years. As the brilliant documentarian Summoning Salt noted earlier in 2024, the push for ultra-fast world records is high.

This has come about due to the programming for the title.

It’s designed to end as it becomes impossible to play (the blocks fall too quickly). This makes it unique amongst other Tetris games, as you have to play it in a really super efficient way. In other iterations it’s usually all about hanging on in there as long as possible.

Speedrunners have descended on the title and, through a series of button-bashing methods, have turned NES Tetris into one of the most competitive speedrunning categories.

There are regular tournaments like this hosted (these have been going for 15 years now), which have made this legendary puzzle game into an official esport.

If you’ve not played the game in a while, Tetris is very mentally demanding. It’s famous for its gray matter challenging status, helping people with PTSD and has even helped people quit smoking.

As a competition, you have to process falling objects in an instant and decide where to place them. We’ve done this in Tetris 99, a very competitive version of the game, and your mental capacity to instantaneously slot the tetrominos is incredible.

For the very players here on the NES version, it’s an almost harmonic balance of frenzied assembly alongside the inevitable panic when things start to go wrong.

If you’re intrigued, scroll back up to the Summoning Salt documentary on this community. The top-tier players really are off the charts good.