🧱 Tetris
Tetris was invented in 1985 by Soviet software engineer Alexey Pajitnov while working at the Academy of Sciences in Moscow. Named after the Greek prefix 'tetra' (four) and tennis, Pajitnov's favorite sport, Tetris became the first entertainment software exported from the USSR. It has since sold over 520 million copies across all platforms, making it one of the best-selling games of all time.
How to Play Tetris
🖥️ Desktop
Use Left/Right arrow keys to move the falling piece horizontally. Press Up arrow to rotate the piece 90 degrees clockwise. Press Down arrow to speed up the drop. Complete a full horizontal line to clear it and earn points. Clearing multiple lines at once scores bonus points. The game ends when pieces stack up to the top of the board.
📱 Mobile
Tap the left or right side of the screen to move pieces. Tap the piece to rotate it. Swipe down to drop faster. The goal is the same — complete full lines to clear them and keep the board from filling up.
Game Features
- ✓All 7 classic Tetromino pieces (I, O, T, L, J, S, Z)
- ✓Line clear scoring with combo bonuses
- ✓Increasing speed as you progress
- ✓Clean, colorful block design
- ✓Instant response controls
Tips & Tricks
- Keep the board as flat as possible — avoid creating deep holes
- Save the I-piece (long bar) for clearing 4 lines at once (a 'Tetris')
- Build up on one side and leave a column open for the I-piece
- Learn to use the T-piece for T-spins — they score extra points in many versions
- Don't panic when the speed increases — focus on placement, not speed
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 'Tetris' in Tetris?
A 'Tetris' is when you clear 4 lines simultaneously using the I-piece (the long straight bar). It's the highest-scoring single move in the game and is considered the signature play of skilled Tetris players.
Who invented Tetris?
Tetris was created by Alexey Pajitnov, a Soviet software engineer, in June 1985. He developed it on an Elektronika 60 computer at the Moscow Academy of Sciences. The game's rights went through complex international negotiations before becoming a global phenomenon.
What are the 7 Tetris pieces called?
The 7 pieces are called Tetrominoes, each named after the letter they resemble: I (straight line), O (square), T (T-shape), L (L-shape), J (reverse L), S (S-shape/zigzag), and Z (reverse S/zigzag).
Can you play Tetris forever?
Theoretically no — as the speed increases, eventually the pieces fall too fast for human reflexes. However, modern competitive players can survive for hours. The NES Tetris 'kill screen' at level 29 was long considered unbeatable until players developed new techniques.