Summary
The tile-matching gameTetriswas first introduced in 1984. The game was rudimentary at its inception, but the game began to show much promise. It wasn’t untilTetrisrelaunched on theNintendoGame Boy,a handheld gaming device, thatTetrisgrew to prominence. With the Game Boy as its platform, both the system andTetrissaw explosive popularity in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
As it happens,Tetrisis the best-selling video game franchise of all time. It’s been ported countless times and received numerous spinoffs. This raises the question, what is the bestTetrisgame of all time? Let’s take a trip down memory lane to explore the best the franchise has to offer.
Updated June 17, 2025 by Stephen LaGioia:Even while stretching back decades in gaming history, the timeless puzzler Tetris continues to go strong. This is thanks in large part to releases like Tetris 99 and its more recent “Big Block” DLC, the majesticTetris Effect: Connected, and the colorful sequel to the hybrid puzzle game Puyo Puyo Tetris.
Thus, it seemed like an ideal time to revisit and build upon this foundation of the best, most appealing Tetris games.
15Tetrisphere
A Spherical New Take On Tetris
When it comes to this blocky puzzler, spheres are about the last thing that comes to mind. But with this N64 romp, Nintendo and H20 Entertainment set out to prove that this classic formula can be successfully shaken up with a spherical twist.Tetrispherethrows the player a curveball with its 3D perspective and its round, multi-layered layout.
Rather than simply eliminating blocks, the goal is generally to wipe out the onion-like layers of tetromino shells and gun for the field’s inner core. Though not allTetrispurists were convinced by this obscure take on the established franchise, critics generally regarded it for its innovation and slew of gameplay modes.
14Tetris Party
Solid Online Multiplayer
While often overlooked on account of its exclusive WiiWare release in 2008,Tetris Partyprovides a fun template for party gameplay. The game taps into Wii’s charming style of accessible and social gameplay, which proves a great fit for the storied multiplayer romp.
In addition to the typical multiplayer matches and a 15-stage single-player marathon,Tetris Partykeeps things fresh with a handful of distinct gameplay modes, including an expansive co-op game, Wii Balance Board control, and other interesting twists on the formula.
The game is also one of the stronger Wii entries when it comes to online support, even hosting a Hudson-organized tourney setup, in which gamers from across the world could compete in differentTetris Partygame modes.
Tetris 99
WHERE TO PLAY
Tetris 99 is an online battle-royale variation of the classic tile-matching puzzle game available exclusively on Nintendo Switch.As the name suggests, the game pits 99 players against each other in an elimination game of Tetris, with the last player standing being the winner. Players can attempt to eliminate their opponents quicker by sending disruptive “garbage” their way.
As afree-to-play game for Nintendo Switch Online members,it isn’t the first time Nintendo published aTetrisgame.Tetris 99takes a spin on the classic by breathing new life into the retro game.Tetris 99introduces 99-player clashes, hence the numerical that follows this familiar name.
Strategy and speed are much a part ofTetris 99. One might prefer the original, but it’s hard to ignore thatTetris 99is a fun warp on the antiquated game. What’s more - players who prefer a more classic-style soloTetriscan now enjoy a separate, purchasable DLC pack calledBig Block, which comes loaded with offline and single-player content.
12Tetris Twist
Simplicity And City Settings
As one may have expected,Tetris Twistis a twist on the classic game. Players adventure through different major cities while completing over 100 unique levels. Don’t make the mistake of thinkingTetris Twistis just anotherTetrisgame. Players will be pleasantly surprised by this game’s addictive puzzle-solving, and its distinct campaign-style progression.
This game was released in 2016 and is one of the best variants of the popular classic.Tetris Twistcan be played on websites such asminiclip.com,classicgame.com, andcrazygames.com.
11Tetris (Original)
The One That Started It All
The originalTetrisdeserves recognition, more than any other game on this listicle. When Russian software engineer Alexey Pajitnov created this simple tile-matching game, he did not know that it would become an enormous success.
Pajitnov developed several puzzle games during his time as a video game developer, but none came close toTetris’sexplosive popularity and simplistic charm. The addictive qualities of this game drew inspiration for later versions ofTetris.Players might have trouble locating this particular version, given that it was crafted and played on an Electronika 60 computer.
The entertainment value this version still has despite its basic visuals — with blocks represented by green brackets — is a testament to how appealing the gameplay is.
10Tetris: The Grand Master 3 – Terror-Instinct
A More Expansive Brand Of Tetris
Tetris: The Grand Master 3 – Terror-Instinctis Tetris (almost) at its finest. The game has thrown in a few variables such as explosives and X-rays, but the gameplay isTetrisat its core. This is the third game in theTetris: The Grand Masterseries, and it’s undoubtedly the best version.
Progression throughTetris: The Grand Master 3 – Terror-Instinctisconsidered difficult.Players can reach levels exceeding level999, and the game even features a mode with standard rules.
9Tetris Battle Gaiden
Puzzles And Power-ups
This variant ofTetriswas released for the Super Famicom only in Japan. If a player manages to get their hands on this highly addictive variant ofTetris,they will be pleasantly surprised by its puzzle-fighter gameplay.
It contains a multiplayer mode in which one can play against friends. With a wide array of characters to choose from, the game has more to offer than the standardTetrisgame. Characters have special abilities, adding toTetris Battle Gaiden’s appeal.
8Tetris (iOS & Android)
Battle Royale Gameplay On The Go
Electronic Arts having had theirTetrisgame removed from the Google Play store and the App Store left a power vacuum ripe for a newTetrisgame. Days after that occurred, a new, and similarly gripping,Tetrisgame popped up on cell phone application stores.
Tetrisis available for iOS and Android users, and this game is quite different than its predecessor. For starters, it’s developed by N3twork, and it supports 100 players online, with BR gameplay akin toTetris 99.Though it also offers a marathon mode and multiple skins for the playing field. This is a step up for the tile-matching video game.
7Puyo Puyo Tetris
Fusing Two Classic Party Puzzlers
Puyo Puyo Tetrisis Sega’s attempt at the global phenomenon we know colloquially as"Tetris.“The game isn’t as blatantly Sega-themed as certain Nintendo versions ofTetris,yet the game offers so much more than the averageTetrisgame.
Try a single-play adventure where players earn in-game credits or take a stab at the competitive multiplayer modes. Multiplayer allows up to four local players, both online and offline. This feature-rich game is admired for its polish; it’s a must-play forTetrisenthusiasts.
6Tetris (Atari/Tengen Version)
Classic Multiplayer Tetris At Its Finest
Before the dust settled on the mess of copyright conflicts regardingTetris, and Nintendo locked up the rights for the property in most facets, there was the Tengen-crafted version from 1989, which also found its way to NES. Despite a slightly cruder and colorless design, many stillpoint to this rarer NES gameas the superior version. It’s almost certainly the case when it comes to the multiplayer.
The game provides an even simpler design and progression system, while boasting some particularly charming music to further paint this entry-levelTetrisexperience. It also has it over the Nintendo counterpart in terms of features, with co-op mode along with endless split-screen multiplayer; a rather rare feature for the ’80s. Two players can even team up and face off against a CPU player.
