Tetris is an all-time classic. This timeless game franchise has remained relevant for over three decades. Today we are taking a look at Tetris on the NES. The gameplay is addicting and the music is on point. There is just a lot to love about this game. Many consider it to be a masterclass in game design (and we tend to agree). We are going to highlight a few things that make it so special.
So let’s get to it…
Controls
The controls in Tetris are intuitive and simple. It is a game anyone can pick up and understand in a few minutes. No complex button combinations. No tutorials. No hand-holding. Just a responsive control scheme that fits the core gameplay perfectly. Move and rotate the block shapes. Tetris is a game adored by all ages and generations…and a lot of that has to do with the accessibility and simplicity of the controls. A great example of ‘less is more’.
Game Loop
The gameplay in Tetris is unmatched. This is surprising considering you are literally stacking block shapes together to clear lines. Nothing too crazy right? But the real magic of the gameplay is in the escalation. As you clear more and more lines (and move up in levels), the speed of the falling pieces increases. Slowly over the course of the game session you find yourself fighting to clear lines before running out of real estate. When things start to get hairy…your reaction time and mental focus are tested. It is the ultimate game loop…and it was created over 30 years ago. Impressive.
User Interface
The user interface in Tetris is straightforward. The next block, current session score and high score are always visible on the screen. In many games the score is an afterthought…just chilling in the HUD. Not in Tetris. The score is in your face. A constant reminder that you can do better. While the game does get nasty difficult as you keep blasting 8-bit brick lines into digital oblivion…you always know where you stand. It never feels cheap (well…except maybe on those untimely long piece droughts) because the UI gives you all the feedback you need. A testament to a simple and effective UI design.
Tetris is considered by many to be one of the greatest games of all-time. Simple controls, a spectacular game loop and solid UI help make this an incredible game experience. Countless articles could be written about the game design execution of this classic. Every aspect of the finished product is that good. Tetris remains relevant today and will continue to do so for generations to come. Long live the king…
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