On December 11, Nintendo released Tetris and Tetris DX for the NES and Game Boy Nintendo Switch Online apps that subscribers can enjoy. The release of Tetris and Tetris DX on the Nintendo Switch Online service (NSO) was marked by a video message from series creator Alexey Pajitnov, thanking fans for their continued support of Tetris franchise.
Originally released on IBM computers in the Soviet Union in 1985, Tetris later found its way to an international audience in 1988 on computers and arcade machines. A year later, after 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 has since been launched on multiple platforms, the 1989 NES version remains a cult classic due to its fast-paced gameplay. At the end of 2023, 13 years old Tetris player Blue Scuti was the first to reach level 157 and trigger the game's “Kill screen”, marking a historic moment in Tetris franchise history.

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Now, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers will have a chance to play two games from one of the best-selling franchises of all time. The NES version of 1989 Tetris and the 1998 Game Boy Color game Tetris DX 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 it was 40 years ago in 2024 Tetris developed first, and said that the reissue of Tetris on the NSO NES app was the first time it has been available since 1989. As for Tetris DXit is an enhanced port of the famous Game Boy version of Tetriswhich was released on the NSO Game Boy app in February 2023. Tetris DX was also confirmed to have a two-player versus mode, although 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 NES version of 1989 Tetrisand the Game Boy Color game Tetris DX.
- The reissue of Tetris on the NES app is the first time in 35 years that the game received an official re-release.
- Tetris DX will also have a two-player versus mode for players to enjoy.
- Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov thanked fans for their continued support to Tetris franchise.
NSO subscribers must 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 string of releases for the Game Boy NSO app. Throughout November Donkey Kong Land the trilogy 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 one of the best ways to play retro games. Only time will tell if the Switch's successor will keep up the momentum.
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