What Are The Best Games in Tetris Forever?

Key Takeaways

• Tetris Forever offers a collection of 18 Tetris games with unique features and historical significance.
• The game includes lesser-known titles like Igo: Kyu Roban Taikyoku and Hatris, providing a comprehensive Tetris experience.
• Tetris Time Warp adds a new twist to the classic game by introducing a magical Time Warp tetromino with unique challenges.

As the art of video games continues, the need for historical preservation becomes increasingly vital. This preservation is especially crucial for a game like Tetris, which left an indelible mark on history and pop culture. Fortunately, Digital Eclipse has given us Tetris Forever, an interactive game collection/documentary.

We thoroughly enjoyed exploring Tetris’s intriguing history, including first-hand accounts from creator Alexey Pajitnov and Tetris Company founder Henk Rogers. However, the main draw is Tetris Forever’s 18 games, which feature a mixed bag of Tetris classics, early prototypes, and less-than-stellar ports. Here’s our take on each game.

18

Tetris (Spectrum HoloByte) – Apple II

Spectrum HoloByte launched its version of Tetris on several platforms, including MS-DOS, Amiga, and Atari ST, in 1988. The Apple II port is unique because the hardware was quite dated (the device hit the market in 1977). Unfortunately, it’s easy to tell.

Tetris (Apple II) is likely the worst port of Spectrum HoloByte’s take on the game. The port’s graphics hold the gameplay back immensely. Uneven tetrominoes change shape as you rotate them, overlap each other, and leave gaps across the gameplay well.

17

Igo: Kyu Roban Taikyoku

While we’re sure there is an overlap of Go and Tetris players, we didn’t initially understand why Igo: Kyu Roban Taikyoku was in this collection. However, this game is incredibly influential, forming the working relationship between The Tetris Company’s Henk Rogers and Nintendo’s Hiroshi Yamauchi.

Igo: Kyu Roban Taikyoku is an impressive game for its time because it showcased Famicom’s ability to compete against a human in a complex strategy game. However, there are better ways to play Go on console today, like Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics on the Nintendo Switch.

16

Tetris (AcademySoft) – MS-DOS

Alexey Pajitnov developed the first version of Tetris on the Electronika 60 using Pascal code. However, the IBM PC was more prevalent internationally. Fortunately, the USSR’s Academy of Sciences employed the help of 16-year-old computer prodigy Vadim Gerasimov, who ported Tetris to MS-DOS in days.

Academy Soft’s Tetris for MS-DOS is the first version of Tetris in color. Otherwise, the game plays identically to the Electronika 60 version. The solid-colored tetrominoes are not divided into blocks, making them slightly more challenging to read. But that’s not a dealbreaker.

15

Tetris (Electronika 60)

Emulating the foregone Electronika 60 is close to impossible. Fortunately, Digital Eclipse gave us a near-perfect recreation of the computer in Tetris Forever. This version of Tetris replicates the program Alexey Pajitnov developed in his spare time working for the Academy of Sciences.

Tetris (Electronika 60) is one of the coolest-looking games in Tetris Forever. The retro monochrome filters and text character graphics will instantly transport you back to 1985. Furthermore, the choice between Russian and English text is a nifty feature.

14

Tetris (Spectrum HoloByte) – MS-DOS

Spectrum HoloByte’s Tetris is a pivotal title in the series’s development. This version marketed heavily on the game’s connection to the USSR, with a tagline called “The Soviet Challenge.” More importantly, this game was Henk Rogers’s introduction to Tetris.

Spectrum HoloByte’s Tetris for MS-DOS is the superior port of the title. The tetrominoes are colorful yet maintain readability. Plus, the game’s presentation, featuring Soviet architecture and foliage, is splendid!

13

Hatris (Famicom)

Alexey Pajitnov developed several puzzle games after Tetris, including Muddle, Welltris, and Hexic. Hatris, another Tetris follow-up, introduced the “swap-and-drop” concept created by Pajitnov and Vladimir Pokhilko. Pairs of hats fall into the well, and it’s up to you to stack them in groups of five.

While it’s not as groundbreaking as Tetris, Hatris is a hat full of fun. The concept is fast to pick up but hard to master. Plus, the differing sizes of each hat contribute to the game’s depth and difficulty. However, Hatris for the Famicom is not our favorite version of Hatris in Tetris Forever.

12

Hatris (Game Boy)

While Digital Eclipse could not get the license to include Tetris for Game Boy in Tetris Forever, the collection still includes several Game Boy titles. One such example is Hatris, which suits the handheld console well.

Hatris on Game Boy has a smoother learning curve than its Famicom counterpart, making the game faster to learn. We also appreciate the choice of hats in this port, which are easy to read.

11

Hatris (NES)

Hatris for NES launched two years after the Famicom port and introduced several presentational changes. This version has you assume the roles of Alexey Pajitnov and Vladimir Pokhilko as they ship off hats in a warehouse. Stacks of hats get placed on a row of mannequin heads.

From a gameplay perspective, Hatris for NES plays the same as its predecessor on the Famicom. However, its redesign makes this port feel like the definitive version of Hatris.

10

Tetris (Famicom)

Henk Rogers’s company BPS published Tetris for Famicom in Japan. Spectrum HoloByte’s UK sister company MirrorSoft traded the console rights to Tetris with Atari for the Asteroids spin-off Blasteroids. Fortunately, Rogers was able to secure Japanese console rights from Atari.

BPS’s Tetris is closer to the game as we know it today. This version introduced the point system for double, triple, and Tetris line clears. The one setback is Tetris (Famicom)’s control scheme, which uses the B button to hard drop tetrominoes. Fortunately, you can remap the game’s controls in the emulator’s pause menu.

9

Tetris 2 + Bombliss (Famicom)

Making a sequel to Tetris was no small feat. After all, how do you build upon one of the best puzzle games? Fortunately, Tsunekazu Ishihara (president of The Pokemon Company) introduced Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers to Akihiko Miura, the designer of a Tetris-like game called Bombliss.

Tetris 2 + Bombliss significantly improves upon the original Tetris for Famicom. Both Tetris and Bombliss get three separate game modes. Furthermore, Bombliss gets a puzzle editor mode that would not return in future installments.

Tetris 2 + Bombliss introduced two rotation buttons (left and right)! It’s a small but noticeable change after playing earlier Tetris iterations.

8

Super Bombliss (Game Boy)

Bombliss proved so popular that BPS published a standalone title called Super Bombliss on Super Famicom. The title also received two Game Boy ports. The first Game Boy port launched as Super Bombliss in Japan and Tetris Blast in the US.

Super Bombliss for Game Boy is our least favorite version of Super Bombliss. However, it is still a good game. It even features a Training mode you won’t find in Super Bombliss for Super Famicom.

7

Super Bombliss DX (Game Boy Color)

Super Bombliss DX is the definitive Game Boy port of the title. Designed for Game Boy Color, Super Bombliss DX has everything from the original Game Boy release plus a new Puzzle mode.

You’ll find yourself playing Super Bombliss DX much more than its predecessor. It has more features, and the color palette makes the bombs and tetrominoes more readable.

6

Super Tetris 2 + Bombliss (Super Famicom)

Two years after Tetris 2 + Bombliss launched on the Famicom, BPS published Super Tetris 2 + Bombliss for the Super Famicom. This game is essentially the same as the original Tetris 2 + Bombliss, with better graphics.

Like other video games of the era, Super Tetris 2 + Bombliss was not the last version of Tetris 2 + Bombliss published by BPS. A limited edition version, Super Tetris 2 + Bombliss Genteiban, would launch two years later.

5

Super Bombliss (Super Famicom)

Dedicated Bombliss fans will love playing Super Bombliss for the Super Famicom. This title expands upon the versions of Bombliss in Tetris 2 with a fleshed-out visual presentation and new gameplay modes.

Speaking of new modes, Super Bombliss has a VS COM mode that turns Bombliss into a competitive arcade puzzler. The winner is the first player to clear their well of tetrominoes or force their opponent into a Game Over. Be warned, these CPU opponents are formiddable!

4

Super Tetris 2 + Bombliss Genteiban (Super Famicom)

BPS launched Super Tetris 2 + Bombliss Genteiban to commemorate selling over 500,000 copies. Genteiban was printed in limited quantities, mostly flying under the radar.

Super Tetris 2 + Bombliss Genteiban is identical to its predecessor. The only difference is the new Bombliss puzzles. We would consider Genteiban the definitive version of Super Tetris 2 + Bombliss. Still, Genteiban and the original version are equally strong games.

3

Tetris Battle Gaiden (Super Famicom)

While Tetris is essentially a solo affair, the game becomes more entertaining with friends. Several Tetris games have fun competitive modes, including Puyo Puyo Tetris and Tetris Effect. However, one of the earliest examples is Tetris Battle Gaiden, launched exclusively in Japan by BPS.

Tetris Battle Gaiden features a cast of eight charming chibi characters. Their super meter rises whenever the player clears a line containing an orb. Then, players can choose to spend that meter on one of their character’s special attacks. The last block dropper left is the champ.

2

Tetris Time Warp

Tetris Time Warp is Digital Eclipse’s new take on Alexey Pajitnov’s creation. In this iteration, a magical Time Warp tetromino enters the well after every ten line clears. Clearing the Time Warp tetromino warps you into different Tetris eras with unique challenges that award bonus points.

We loved playing Tetris Time Warp. Completing a Time Warp challenge from the Electronika 60 version through Super Famicom Bombliss is highly satisfying. However, it also reminds us how much we want to play the other Tetris games in this collection, especially our top pick.

1

Super Tetris 3 (Super Famicom)

Super Tetris 3 launched on the Super Famicom in 1994. This jam-packed sequel includes four unique gameplay formats. There is the classic Tetris we know and love. Magicaliss adds a color mechanic to the Tetris formula. Sparkliss revamps Bombliss with a dark gothic aesthetic. Familiss gives Tetris a four-player spin.

If you’re looking for a Tetris game that will occupy you for a long time, we recommend Super Tetris 3. The visuals, especially Sparkliss’s animated backgrounds, are splendorous. Furthermore, it is arguably the most feature-rich game in Tetris Forever, even compared to Time Warp.