Nintendo Switch Online adds new NES and Game Boy titles

Nintendo released on December 11th Tetris and Tetris DX for NES and Game Boy Nintendo Switch Online applications for subscribers. Edition Tetris and Tetris DX on Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) was marked with a video message from series creator Alexey Pajitnov thanking fans for their continued support Tetris franchise.

Originally released on IBM computers in the Soviet Union in 1985, Tetris it later found its way to an international audience in 1988 on PC and arcade machines. A year later, after a legal dispute with Atari Games, Nintendo released its versions of Tetris on the NES and Game Boy in North America and Europe. Albeit different iterations Tetris the 1989 NES version, which has since been released on multiple platforms, remains a cult classic thanks to its fast-paced gameplay. Late 2023, 13 years old Tetris player Blue Scuti was the first to reach level 157 and trigger the game's “Kill screen”, marking a historic moment in Tetris franchise history.

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Now, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers will have the chance to play two games from one of the best-selling franchises of all time. 1989 NES version Tetris and the 1998 Game Boy Color game Tetris DX are now available on the NES and Game Boy Nintendo Switch Online apps. The announcement was made in a video released by Nintendo and Pajitnov. Pajitnov stated that 40 years had passed in 2024 Tetris was first developed and said reissue Tetris in the NSO NES application was first available from 1989. As for Tetris DXit's an improved port of the famous Game Boy version Tetriswhich was released on the NSO Game Boy app in February 2023. Tetris DX it has also been confirmed to have a two-player versus mode, although each player will need their own NSO subscription to play.

Nintendo Switch Online adds two classic Tetris games

• Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can now play the 1989 version of the NES Tetrisand the Game Boy Color game Tetris DX.
• Reissue Tetris on the NES, this is the first time in 35 years that the game has been officially relaunched.
• Tetris DX it will also have a two-player versus mode for players to enjoy.
• Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov thanked fans for their continued support Tetris franchise.

NSO subscribers will need to connect to the internet and update their NES and Game Boy apps to play Tetris and Tetris DX. Release of both Tetris titles came during the Game Boy NSO release series. All through November Donkey Kong Land trilogy launched on the Game Boy app for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.

With the addition of two iconic Tetris games, Nintendo Switch Online remains one of the best ways to play retro games. Only time will tell if the Switch's successor can keep up the pace.

Tetris® is the addictive puzzle game that started it all and embraces our universal desire to create order out of chaos. Tetris was created by Alexey Pajitnov in 1984 – a product of Alexey's experience in computer programming and his love of puzzles. In the following decades, Tetris became one of the most successful and well-known video games, appearing on almost every gaming platform available.

The goal of Tetris is to score as many points as possible by removing horizontal lines of blocks. The player has to spin, move and release the falling Tetriminos inside the Matrix (the playing field). Rows are cleared when blocks are filled and have no blanks. As the lines clear, the level increases and the Tetriminos fall faster, making the game progressively more challenging. If the blocks land above the top edge of the field, the game is over.

Systems

Released

June 6, 1984

Developers

Alexey Pajitnov

Publisher

Alexey Pajitnov, Nintendo, Mirrorsoft, Spectrum HoloByte, PLAYSTUDIOS, EA Mobile, Tandy Corporation

Multiplayer

Local cooperative

ESRB

E

Extend