Play Tetris
The classic puzzle game
About
Tetris is one of the most iconic and recognizable video games of all time. Created by Russian software engineer Alexey Pajitnov in 1984, it has since become a cultural phenomenon, selling hundreds of millions of copies across virtually every gaming platform. The game's elegant simplicity, combined with its addictive gameplay, has made it a timeless classic that continues to captivate players of all ages around the world.
Objective
The objective of Tetris is simple: arrange falling geometric shapes (tetrominoes) to create complete horizontal lines. When a line is completed, it disappears, and you earn points. As the game progresses, the tetrominoes fall faster, making it increasingly challenging to position them correctly. The game ends when the stack of tetrominoes reaches the top of the playing field.
Primary Goals
- Clear as many lines as possible
- Achieve the highest score
- Advance through increasing levels of difficulty
Scoring
- 1 line: 40 × level
- 2 lines: 100 × level
- 3 lines: 300 × level
- 4 lines (Tetris): 1200 × level
How to Play
Getting Started
- Start the game by clicking the "Play Tetris" button. The game will appear in fullscreen mode.
- Watch for falling pieces called tetrominoes. Each piece is made up of four blocks in different arrangements.
- Move and rotate the pieces to create complete horizontal lines across the board.
- Clear lines by filling every cell in a horizontal row. When a line is completed, it disappears and you earn points.
- Prevent the stack from reaching the top of the board. If the pieces stack up to the top, the game ends.
Controls
Desktop:
- ← →Move left or right
- ↑Rotate clockwise
- ↓Soft drop (faster)
- SpaceHard drop (instant)
- PPause game
- ESCExit fullscreen
Mobile:
- Swipe/DragMove left or right
- TapRotate piece
- Drag DownSoft drop
- Swipe DownHard drop
Tips & Strategies
- Plan ahead - Always look at the next piece and think about where it should go.
- Create a flat surface - Try to keep the top of your stack as even as possible.
- Leave space for the I-piece - Create a column 4 blocks deep to clear multiple lines with the long piece.
- Use hard drop wisely - It's faster but gives you less time to think about placement.
- Clear multiple lines - Clearing 4 lines at once (a "Tetris") gives you maximum points.
- Practice T-spins - Advanced players can rotate T-pieces into tight spaces for bonus points.
Scoring System
Points are awarded based on the number of lines cleared at once and your current level:
| Lines Cleared | Name | Points Formula | Example (Level 1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Single | 40 × level | 40 points |
| 2 | Double | 100 × level | 100 points |
| 3 | Triple | 300 × level | 300 points |
| 4 | Tetris | 1200 × level | 1200 points |
The game speed increases as you advance through levels. Each level requires clearing 10 rows to advance.
History
Origins
Tetris was created by Alexey Pajitnov in June 1984 while working at the Dorodnitsyn Computing Centre of the Academy of Science of the Soviet Union in Moscow. Pajitnov developed the game on an Elektronika 60 computer, which had no graphical capabilities. The name "Tetris" combines "tetra" (meaning "four" in Greek, as all pieces have four segments) and "tennis," Pajitnov's favorite sport.
Global Phenomenon
The game spread rapidly throughout the Soviet academic community. In 1986, it was ported to the IBM PC by Vadim Gerasimov, which helped it spread internationally. The game gained massive popularity when it was bundled with Nintendo's Game Boy in 1989. Henk Rogers secured the handheld rights for Nintendo, which proved to be a pivotal moment in gaming history.
The rights to Tetris became the subject of a complex legal battle involving multiple companies and governments. Eventually, in 1996, Pajitnov regained the rights to his creation and formed The Tetris Company with Henk Rogers to manage the franchise.
Cultural Impact
Tetris has sold over 200 million copies across various platforms, making it one of the most successful video games of all time. It has been the subject of scientific studies on its cognitive effects and has been recognized for its cultural significance. In 2007, Tetris was included in the Game Canon, a list of the most important video games of all time, and in 2009, it celebrated its 25th anniversary. The game continues to be released on new platforms and remains as popular as ever.