Nintendo is bringing its iconic NES version of Tetris to Switch Online, marking a significant milestone in gaming history. The 1989 classic will be added to the retro games library on 12 December, making it the first official re-release since its original launch.

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

Licensed by Tetris’s Russian IP holder, Elorg, this version includes two nostalgic game modes:

• A-Type: A high-stakes race to clear lines and rack up points before the blocks stack to the top.
• B-Type: A strategic challenge to clear 25 lines on pre-set block heights and speeds before the game ends.

B-Type mode even offers fun cameos from beloved Nintendo characters like Mario, Luigi, Samus, and Pit.

Although Tetris has long held its place as a retro favourite, the NES version has recently gained popularity as an esports title. The timing of its Switch Online debut aligns closely with the one-year anniversary of an incredible feat in Tetris history. On 21 December 2023, 13-year-old Willis Gibson, aka Blue Scuti, became the first person ever to “beat” NES Tetris by reaching level 157, triggering the elusive “kill screen” that freezes the game.

This release will be the 90th NES/Famicom game added to Switch Online’s expansive library and the 79th available in the West. Players can enjoy access to NES, SNES, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color classics with a standard Switch Online membership, starting at US$3.99/£3.49/€3.99 per month or US$19.99/£17.99/€19.99annually.

For those with the Expansion Pack tier, even more nostalgia awaits with libraries of Nintendo 64, Mega Drive/Genesis, and Game Boy Advance games.

Ready to stack some blocks and chase those high scores? Dust off your nostalgia goggles and get ready for a piece of gaming history this December.