Released shortly after the more renowned Game Boy iteration, Nintendo’s NES Tetris made its debut without much fanfare. Unlike its handheld counterpart, which received a colorful makeover with Tetris DX and a Virtual Console release on the 3DS, NES Tetris remained largely untouched and out of circulation—until now.
Despite its limited reissues, NES Tetris has carved out an impressive legacy and holds an unexpected yet integral spot in esports. Over the years, it has become the go-to version for Tetris competitions. Young gamers have been breaking records and reshaping strategies for this 35-year-old classic in recent years, keeping the game relevant and exciting.
Back in the late ’80s, Nintendo’s epic struggle to secure Tetris rights involved intricate maneuvers against Soviet bureaucracy and crafty British media players. The key victory was snagging the handheld rights so Tetris could launch with the Game Boy, but Nintendo also wisely secured console rights outside Japan; there, their partner, Henk Rogers, had already introduced Tetris on the Famicom.
Nintendo has fiercely protected these rights. Interestingly, both the NES and Game Boy versions were missing from the recent Tetris Forever compilation. While the Game Boy edition remains the definitive version of this beloved puzzle game, NES Tetris undoubtedly stands as a close second with its enduring popularity and competitive edge.
