New NES and Game Boy Games Join Nintendo Switch Online

Back on December 11, Nintendo treated its online subscribers to a blast from the past by bringing Tetris and Tetris DX to the NES and Game Boy apps on Nintendo Switch Online. Alexey Pajitnov, the mastermind behind Tetris, shared a heartfelt message thanking fans for their unwavering support of this iconic series.

Tetris originally made its debut in 1985 on IBM computers in the Soviet Union, eventually captivating international players in 1988 via PCs and arcade machines. In an interesting turn of events, after a legal clash with Atari Games, Nintendo released its own versions for the NES and Game Boy across North America and Europe in 1989. Even though Tetris has evolved across countless platforms, the NES version from ’89 holds a special place in gaming history thanks to its quick, challenging gameplay. In a jaw-dropping achievement in late 2023, a young Tetris enthusiast named Blue Scuti reached level 157 and unleashed the mythical “Kill screen,” etching his name into Tetris lore.

Fast forward to today, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers now can enjoy two gems from one of gaming history’s most beloved franchises. The NES classic from 1989 and the enhanced 1998 Game Boy Color edition, Tetris DX, have joined the NSO lineup, delighting fans old and new. Accompanied by a celebratory video from Nintendo and Pajitnov, it’s a nod to Tetris’s 40-year legacy since its creation. The NES version is making its return to the spotlight for the first time since it wowed players in ’89. Meanwhile, Tetris DX brings with it a competitive two-player mode—but remember, each participant needs their own NSO membership.

Subscribers eager to reminisce or discover these classics will need to get online and update their NES and Game Boy apps. These additions continue a November trend for the Game Boy NSO app, highlighted by the arrival of Donkey Kong Land trilogy.

With Tetris now in the mix, Nintendo Switch Online proves once again that it’s a treasure trove for retro gaming aficionados. Whether its successor maintains this beloved access to nostalgia remains to be seen, but for now, retro gaming lovers have plenty to celebrate.

Let’s not forget what makes Tetris such a classic standby in gaming: it’s the timeless challenge of arranging Tetriminos in a perfect fit, clearing lines and upping the ante as the speed ramps up. It’s a testament to a simple yet compelling concept invented by Pajitnov back in 1984, which not only defined a genre but also cemented its place as a cornerstone of gaming history.