These Tetris-Inspired Games Put a New Spin on a Classic Formula

Some folks might argue that Tetris is the epitome of gaming perfection, and it’s tough to refute that. Since its creation in 1985, Tetris has stood the test of time, appearing on nearly every platform imaginable. The game is straightforward yet enduring: a single block falls at a time. You get a variety of shapes like L-blocks, squares, and z-shaped squiggles, and your task is to fit these pieces together to fill rows across the screen. Once a row is complete, it vanishes, creating space for more blocks.

There are countless ways to enjoy the fundamental loop of Tetris. Some folks play to relax, while others see it as a formidable challenge. And then you have the versions that take the core of Tetris and kick things into high gear.

A prime example is Tetris 99, the battle royale version on the Nintendo Switch. Each player is in a separate game, which speeds up until only one remains standing. There’s an initial elimination frenzy, but surviving that doesn’t guarantee an easy ride. Not only are you competing against numerous other Tetris enthusiasts, but they can also disrupt your game by sending over their surplus blocks to your screen at critical moments. I’ve only clinched victory in Tetris 99 a few times, and each win was hard-earned.

With classic Tetris, the challenge ramps up with increasing speed, causing blocks to stack up until you can’t handle them anymore. A remarkable moment occurred in January 2024 when a 13-year-old gamer became the first to defeat NES Tetris, a feat many deemed unachievable. Its simplicity and intuitive gameplay make Tetris a platform for developers to experiment with innovative twists.

Take, for example, Schwerkraftprojektiongerät, a fan-created Tetris variant by Stephen Lavelle that’s as challenging to play as it is to say. This version features four simultaneous Tetris games, each tilted at different angles and with gravity skewed, allowing blocks to tumble from one game into another. Meanwhile, a solo developer embarked on “Terrible Tetris Tuesday,” introducing wild new twists every week, like versions with sticky blocks or persistent fog.

Enter Reaktor, launched in October 2024, which at first glance might seem like another Tetris-inspired game. However, its unique twist is that instead of lines, you’re building a cube at the center as gravity rotates like a windmill. The resulting central cube can quickly spiral out of control, making the task appear daunting. Yet, mastering the challenge of correcting mistakes and constructing that cube is captivating.

I always thought I knew Tetris pieces, like old friends, but Reaktor made me rethink them. I felt betrayed by pieces like the L-block when they didn’t fall into place as expected. Developers continually amaze by revisiting beloved classics and adding fresh complexity. If you’re keen to stretch your mental muscles with a fresh spin on Tetris, Reaktor is a fantastic pick. It’s a relief to know that as long as there are games, people will keep crafting new and engaging takes on Tetris, whether that’s Puyo Puyo Tetris 2, Tetris Effect, or some solo developer’s challenging twist on this iconic puzzle game.