5 Best Versions Of Tetris, Ranked

"Tetris" is a retro game that everyone needs to play at least once, standing as the most iconic puzzle video game of all time. Created by Alexey Pajitnov, the game has differently shaped blocks steadily descend from the top of the screen. To avoid being overwhelmed, players clear blocks by organizing them into complete rows, adding to their high score as the speed of the blocks' descent increases. The game has been ported to different platforms for decades, becoming one of the Game Boy's best sellers.

With so many different versions of "Tetris," we've managed to narrow it down to the best of the bunch. More than just offering gamers with an engaging presentation and intuitive handling, these titles offer plenty of features to keep players coming back for more. While "Tetris" itself may seem like a relatively simple game, these releases bring a welcome amount of depth to the familiar experience. Here are the five best versions of "Tetris" ranked, each ready to keep the puzzle game fun going.

After developer H2O Entertainment worked on the forgotten "Tetris" video game spin-off "Tetrisphere," it made a much more conventional title in the series with "The New Tetris." The 1999 Nintendo 64 game has players tackle the usual row-completing gameplay that the franchise is known for. The game allows players to form complete squares for bonus points when cleared while supporting four-person competitive multiplayer. Players use their collective scores towards unlocking 3D models of various cultural sites, like the Sphinx and the Pantheon of Rome, which are then reflected in backgrounds and themes for levels.

"The New Tetris" feels like a back to the basics approach for the franchise after more experimental gameplay experiences. The game handles beautifully and the addition of four-player multiplayer modes makes it an underrated party game for the N64. Adding to the atmosphere is an electronic score by Neil Voss that wonderfully evokes its late '90s era. A must-have for any N64 owners that love the franchise, "The New Tetris" is an overlooked classic.

"Tetris" and "Dr. Mario" are two puzzle games with endless replay value, simple in their premise but hard to put down. The 1994 Super Nintendo game "Tetris & Dr. Mario" packaged the two titles together in a vibrant joint experience. The title also includes a mixed match mode which alternates between the two games, keeping players on their toes as they build up their score. The game features a competitive multiplayer mode which is the ultimate way to enjoy "Tetris & Dr. Mario," offering a frenetic heads-up showdown.

At first glance, "Tetris & Dr. Mario" just looks like a bundling of two NES era titles for the Super Nintendo with updated visuals and improved control mechanics. But the mixed match mode is what elevates the game above just being an enhanced compilation title. Unfortunately, the game hasn't been remastered for more modern platforms, nor has it been ported to the Nintendo Switch's SNES digital library. A brilliant combination of two puzzle game masterpieces, "Tetris & Dr. Mario" is a fantastic entry for the franchise from the 16-bit era.

The "Puyo Puyo Tetris" series takes the complementary experience from "Tetris & Dr. Mario" and reconfigures it to include "Puyo Puyo" instead. This classic puzzle game, popularized by variants like "Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine," has players match four titles of the same color to clear blocks. After the original 2014 game, Sega followed this up with the direct sequel "Puyo Puyo Tetris 2" for modern platforms in 2020. Among the variety of gameplay modes, the game allows players to choose between "Puyo Puyo" or "Tetris" as they compete simultaneously.

"Puyo Puyo Tetris 2" is a flashier experience than its predecessor, adding a skill battle feature and other assorted challenges. This comes in addition to a new story mode campaign pitting the game's colorful characters against a line of challengers in puzzle-based showdowns. The game even offers an update adding Sonic the Hedgehog and his supporting cast to the game's eclectic roster. A chaotically fun party game combining two other puzzle game favorites, "Puyo Puyo Tetris 2" offers one of the best modern local multiplayer experiences in the franchise.

As far as online multiplayer puzzle games go, it's hard to top the fast-paced fun of the 2019 release "Tetris 99." As the title suggests, the Nintendo Switch exclusive has 99 players playing against each other simultaneously and online in fast-paced games of "Tetris." Players can target specific opponents to drop obstacles as they rack up combos within their own games. In a matter of minutes, only one player is left standing at the end of an absolutely chaotic competition.

"Tetris" creator Alexey Pajitnov had positive things to say about "Tetris 99," which retained the classic gameplay while repositioning the experience as a multiplayer bonanza. Shortly after its release, Nintendo provided updates adding offline modes and localized multiplayer features, expanding it from its core premise. The game revels in speed and unpredictable calamity as it pits players against each other in its main mode and that emphasis makes it a thoroughly addictive ride. The perfect game in the franchise for the "Fortnite" battle royale generation, "Tetris 99" proves how timeless Pajitnov's creation truly is.

When it comes to a modern "Tetris" experience that retains what made the franchise such an enduring property, "Tetris Effect" remains unbeatable. Released in 2018, the game maintains the usual row-completing gameplay from prior entries, with all the usual block shapes. This is backed by a pulsating electronic soundtrack and a dazzling sci-fi inspired presentation, including futuristic backgrounds and glowing blocks. The game includes competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes and, in keeping with its sci-fi themes, features a temporary time-freezing mechanic.

The transposition of "Tetris" into science fiction aesthetics is something that feels so organic, it's a wonder that the franchise hasn't leaned into it more often. It's a choice that makes the whole experience feel fresh and new all over again, despite maintaining the broader gameplay. The game received an update in 2020 that added VR functionality, making the game even more immersive than ever. At the end of the day, "Tetris Effect" understands that if the formula isn't broken, there's no need to fix it.