Despite being one of the most important games released on Nintendo’s first home console, the NES version of Tetris has not been available for Switch Online subscribers. That will change on December 12th, 2024, as Nintendo has announced that the legendary puzzle classic will finally be added to its catalog of retro games. While some people have fonder memories of the GameBoy version (which has been available on NSO since early 2023), the NES iteration propelled the game through the stratosphere and made it a global phenomenon.
A puzzle classic returns!
Tetris® for NES comes to Nintendo Switch Online on 12/12! pic.twitter.com/TIhj7Uq2Mo
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) December 3, 2024
Compared to the many different ways you can play Tetris on Switch, the NES version is maybe not the most robust. There aren’t many modes, there are no instant drops, the multiplayer is incredibly basic, and you can’t even T-spin! Still, it’s an important part of gaming history and is something all fans of Tetris should experience at least once. Much like other art forms, gaming has matured over time and while it can be hard to go backward, it does offer a lens into the past that can help one figure out how to proceed forward.
Also, Tetris is fun regardless. You could remove every modern quality-of-life change and Tetris would still be good.
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Written by Peter Glagowski
Peter has been a freelance gaming and film critic for over seven years. His passion for Nintendo is only matched by the size of his collection.
