Tetris, the iconic video game that has captivated audiences since the 1980s, is making a triumphant return to the spotlight in a new drama that is sure to entertain both old and new fans alike.
The film, simply named Tetris, is an entertaining retelling of the game’s origins and the story of the people behind it, showcasing their struggles and triumphs in creating one of the most beloved and enduring video games of all time.
Read on to explore why this new drama is a must-watch for anyone interested in video games, 80s culture, or just great storytelling.
The rise of the game Tetris
In today’s gaming world where players can choose to play anything from multi-player Call of Duty to free online slots, Tetris looks a bit dull by comparison.
But back in the 1980s, Nintendo’s new Game Boy was making waves around the world, to the point that even a game based around falling shapes could grip the imagination of millions of gamers.
It helped that Tetris was immensely addictive too, of course. Built around a very simple gameplay mechanic, players needed to fit different shapes together to create horizontal lines without any gaps. This gave it the magic mix of being easy to learn but difficult to master, as the shapes became more complex, and the speed increased as the game progressed.
Tetris also provided instant feedback and gratification. Every time a player completed a line, it disappeared, and they earned points, providing a sense of accomplishment. The game was fast paced, with constant action that kept players engaged and focused.
There was also the competitive element, of course, with players trying to outscore and outlast their friends playing at the same time, or in turns.
All of this combined to drive global sales of over 500 million units: a remarkable statistic that makes it the best-selling video game of all time.
The movie plot
Such stunning success, of course, makes the perfect grounds for a captivating movie: a story of how a simple video game changed gaming habits around the world. Until then, video games had largely been basic platform or arcade-style games.
The film Tetris explores the legacy of the iconic video game through the story of Henk Rogers, the founder of Bullet-Proof Software. Rogers seeks to secure the rights to sell Tetris outside of Japan where Alexey Pajitnov, the game’s creator, had stunning success already.
Standing in his way are the powerful Maxwell family who try to profit from the game’s success. It means Rogers must navigate the complex world of business and politics, including the Cold War-era tensions between Russia and the US.
The film features a strong performance from Oleg Shtefanko as Nikolai, a Russian cog in the machine who realizes the importance of Tetris, and features an entertaining plot that takes us on Rogers’ journey to making the game a US and European hit.
A warm reception
Following its release in March 2023 on SXSW and Apple TV+, the movie earned a score of 81% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, with one critic calling it a ‘fun and fizzy take on the story behind the 8-bit classic’. 80s gaming fans, too, have been flocking to the cinema in droves to see the story of the much-loved game played out on the silver screen.
Yet despite its encouraging start, it remains to be seen whether it will hit the heights of other gaming-based movies. Mortal Kombat (1995), for example, was a huge success with its iconic characters, martial arts action, and memorable one-liners. Resident Evil (2002), too, came with well-choreographed action scenes and captured the game’s creepy atmosphere exceptionally well.
With other films about gaming in the pipeline, though, the movie is a great example of a popular movie genre that will surely portray more of today’s popular game characters in cinemas across the world very soon.
