Tetris, possibly the world’s most well-known video game, was introduced on June 6th, 1984 by the Moscow Academy of Science USSR, and instantly spread around the globe. While it was popular, it wasn’t until the launch of Nintendo’s Game Boy that Tetris became the game of a generation.
Non-Stop Playing
Even though the Game Boy was not the first handheld video console, nor the most powerful, it was its long-time playing capabilities that made it a smash hit. By 1998 Nintendo introduced the Game Boy Color, raising sales by 120 million worldwide. As one of the five-game cartridges included in the pack, the colorful game of blocks became a hit.
A Game For Everyone
How did it happen? The simplicity and no-narrative style made Tetris a fan favorite. Anyone could play it, from total gaming nerds to people who had never touched a game console in their life. In fact, incessant playing resulted in the new phenomena of thumb-blisters. Some people even had nightmares about falling bricks!
Today
Alexey Leonidovich may have had to wait a few years to make his fortune, but thanks to him we have one of the most popular video games in the world. The big question remains, which game is more popular: Pacman or Tetris?