NES Tetris Has Finally Been ‘Beaten’ After 34 Years

Highlights

• Blue Scuti’s achievement of reaching level 157 in NES Tetris is a historic milestone, proving that it is possible to surpass the game’s previous limits.
• The glitching of block colors in NES Tetris added an extra layer of complexity to Blue Scuti’s record-breaking performance, but did not deter their mastery of the game.
• The concept of a Tetris “kill screen” evolved over time, with new techniques and strategies pushing records beyond level 100, redefining the game’s limits and the Tetris World Championship landscape.

A 13-year-old Tetris player named Blue Scuti has reached the “kill screen” on level 157 of the classic NES Tetris, marking a historic milestone for the game. This achievement holds great significance for the Tetris community, as there were moments when they thought reaching this point was impossible. Considering the circumstances, it can be argued that Blue Scuti may have “beaten” Tetris.

NES Tetris refers to the version of the classic Tetris game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the late 1980s. This Tetris version is widely regarded as one of the best ever. Its lasting significance is evident in the competitive community, especially at the Classic Tetris World Championship, where players aim for high scores on the original NES version. The simple yet challenging mechanics of Tetris have fostered a dedicated competitive scene, prompting players to devise innovative techniques over the years, resulting in impressive records. The game’s appeal and competitive scene continue to attract players worldwide, maintaining cultural relevance through annual tournaments.

Blue Scuti, the 13-year-old Tetris enthusiast, reached the so-called “kill screen” at level 157 after a 40-minute, 1,511-line performance, marking a previously unattained height in Tetris history. In addition to the evident mastery the player demonstrated in the game, he had to contend with the glitching of block colors in NES Tetris. This issue, recognized within the community, involves specific color combinations that, upon reaching a certain point in the game, render blocks nearly invisible. This glitch added an extra layer of complexity, but it did not stop Blue Scuti from reaching the kill screen and breaking this impressive record. As aGameScout explains in a YouTube video, the concept of a Tetris “kill screen” emerged with the belief that level 29 was the game’s unofficial endpoint due to the blocks’ rapid descent, making further manipulation unattainable.

However, the landscape changed in 2011 when Thor Ackerlund reached level 30, introducing a new technique called “hypertapping.” This involved rapidly tapping the controller to surpass the game’s built-in speed. Subsequently, a new strategy called “rolling,” developed by player Cheez, allowed speeds over twice as fast as previous methods, pushing records beyond level 100. This new technique also changed the Tetris World Championship landscape, where almost every player started to implement it.

While discussions continue about whether NES Tetris is truly “beaten,” the noteworthy aspect is the unresponsive state encountered beyond this point, marking an unprecedented accomplishment and making some consider this a way of beating the game. Tetris was one of the best Nintendo launches ever, and the trigger of the “kill screen” prompts reflection on the enduring legacy of NES Tetris and the committed players who consistently redefine the limits of the games. Blue Scuti’s name is now etched in Tetris history.