Grab your controllers and dust off that nostalgia. Nintendo is bringing back its NES version of Tetris to Switch Online this month. Set your calendars for December 12 as we prepare to dive into a pixelated puzzle paradise that has been officially re-released for the first time since its original launch in 1989. It’s like unearthing a forgotten treasure chest from the attic, except instead of dusty old toys, it’s filled with blocks and glory.
This retro gem, officially licensed by Tetris’s Russian IP owner Elorg, features two distinct modes: A-Type and B-Type. Let me paint you a picture if you’re wondering what those mean in gaming terms. A-Type lets players endlessly clear lines while chasing high scores until they hit that dreaded ceiling (and eventually their frustration). , B-Type offers a more structured challenge where players must clear 25 lines before reaching Game Over, a task made even more colorful with cameos from beloved Nintendo characters like Mario and Luigi making their blocky appearances.
Now, let’s talk about why this matters. The NES version of Tetris has recently enjoyed something of a renaissance within competitive circles, a scene that feels both absurdly niche and wildly exciting. Last year, we witnessed history when 13-year-old Willis Gibson (a.k.a Blue Scuti) conquered the ‘killscreen’ at level 157! He forced the game to freeze, a feat that echoes through gaming lore like an epic tale told around campfires in pixelated lands.
A puzzle classic returns!
Tetris® for NES comes to Nintendo Switch Online on 12/12! pic.twitter.com/TIhj7Uq2Mo
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) December 3, 2024
This nostalgic patch will mark Tetris as the 90th NES/Famicom title available on Switch Online and the 79th release in Western territories. That’s some serious retro cred right there! For those not already subscribed to Nintendo’s online service (which runs £3.49/€3.99/$3.99 monthly or £17.99/€19.99/$19.99 annually), it might be time to reconsider if you’re looking for some affordable classic gaming hits, including access to libraries featuring SNES and Game Boy games too!
However, there are potential downsides here worthy of mention, like how many times can we replay these classics without craving something fresh? While nostalgia is powerful, it sometimes feels like an echo chamber rather than moving forward in innovation or creativity within modern titles.
Yet here I sit, typing away with excitement because who among us hasn’t lost hours clearing lines only to be met with sweet victory or crushing defeat? It’s all part of the charm. The highs and lows connect us as gamers across generations.
As we gear up for this retro revival next month, here’s hoping it sparks renewed interest in not just playing but mastering this timeless classic once again amid our fast-paced AAA titles crowding store shelves today.
