Nintendo Switch Online Adds New NES and Game Boy Titles

On December 11, Nintendo released Tetris and Tetris DX for the NES and Game Boy Nintendo Switch Online apps for subscribers to enjoy. The release of Tetris and Tetris DX on the Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) service was marked by a video message from series creator Alexey Pajitnov, who thanked fans for their continued support of the Tetris franchise.

Originally released on IBM computers in the Soviet Union in 1985, Tetris later found its way to international audiences in 1988 on PCs and arcade machines. A year later, following a legal dispute with Atari Games, Nintendo published its versions of Tetris on the NES and Game Boy in North America and Europe. Although various iterations of Tetris have since launched on multiple platforms, the 1989 NES version remains a cult classic due to its fast-paced gameplay. In late 2023, 13-year-old Tetris player Blue Scuti was the first to reach level 157 and trigger the game’s “Kill screen,” which marked a historic moment in Tetris franchise history.

Now, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers will have a chance to play two games from one of the top-selling franchises of all time. The 1989 NES version of 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 2024 marked 40 years since Tetris was first developed, and said that the re-release of Tetris on the NSO NES app was the first time that it has been available since 1989. As for Tetris DX, it is an enhanced port of the famous Game Boy version of Tetris, which was released on the NSO Game Boy app in February 2023. Tetris DX was also confirmed to have a two-player versus mode, though 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 NES version of Tetris, and the Game Boy Color game Tetris DX.
• The re-release of Tetris on the NES app is the first time in 35 years that the game saw an official relaunch.
• Tetris DX will also have a two-player versus mode for players to enjoy.
• Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov thanked fans for their continued support of the Tetris franchise.

NSO subscribers will need to connect to the Internet and update both the NES and Game Boy apps to play Tetris and Tetris DX. The release of both Tetris titles came amid a streak of releases for the Game Boy NSO app. Throughout November, the Donkey Kong Land trilogy was launched on the Game Boy app for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers to enjoy.

With the addition of two iconic Tetris games, the Nintendo Switch Online service remains among the best ways to play retro games. Only time will tell if the Switch’s successor will keep the momentum going.

Tetris® is the addictive puzzle game that started it all, embracing our universal desire to create order out of chaos. The Tetris game was created by Alexey Pajitnov in 1984—the product of Alexey’s computer programming experience and his love of puzzles. In the decades to follow, Tetris became one of the most successful and recognizable video games, appearing on nearly every gaming platform available.

The goal of Tetris is to score as many points as possible by clearing horizontal lines of Blocks. The player must rotate, move, and drop the falling Tetriminos inside the Matrix (playing field). Lines are cleared when they are filled with Blocks and have no empty spaces. As lines are cleared, the level increases and Tetriminos fall faster, making the game progressively more challenging. If the Blocks land above the top of the playing field, the game is over.

Systems

Released

June 6, 1984

Developer(s)

Alexey Pajitnov

Publisher

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

Multiplayer

Local Co-Op

ESRB

e

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