Ever wonder how a simple puzzle game conquered the entire planet? It all started on June 6, 1984, when Alexey Pajitnov, a Russian software engineer, unleashed Tetris on the world and forever transformed the gaming landscape. Pajitnov created the game while working at the Dorodnitsyn Computing Centre, building it on an Electronika 60 computer. The game spread like wildfire across Moscow, and once it was adapted for IBM computers, its reach grew even faster. Before long, it seemed like nearly everyone in Russia had caught the Tetris bug. The addiction became so widespread that numerous companies actually banned the game because their employees couldn't stop playing!

Tetris made its way to the West in 1988, arriving first on IBM PCs. It didn't stay confined to personal computers for long, though — the game was quickly ported to gaming consoles like Atari and Nintendo. That same year, Nintendo launched its Game Boy version of Tetris, and the pairing proved to be a match made in heaven. The game became a massive hit and played a major role in driving the success of the handheld console. By the close of the 1980s, there was no denying it: Tetris had evolved into a worldwide phenomenon.

Fast forward to today, and more than 200 different versions of Tetris have been published by a wide range of companies, securing its place as the second-best-selling video game franchise of all time. The game has racked up over $520 million in sales, with the bulk of that revenue now coming from mobile devices. In 2015, Tetris earned its well-deserved spot in the Video Game Hall of Fame.

Fun Facts about Tetris:

  • Playing Tetris for extended periods has led some players to see Tetris shapes in their surroundings. This phenomenon is common enough to be referred to as the "Tetris Effect."
  • Pajitnov drew inspiration for the game from classic puzzles and riddles that he enjoyed as a child.
  • When Nintendo released the Game Boy version of Tetris in 1988, the game sold over 35 million copies.
  • Tetris now has a league of professional players who compete in challenges for titles.
  • Tetris was the first game played in space!
  • In 2023, a gamer named Willis Gibson achieved a remarkable milestone by beating Tetris for the first time. Previously considered unbeatable, the game was conquered when Gibson reached a kill screen on level 157. It is believed that he finally completed the game.