Fun Tetris Facts That Will Blow Your Mind
A 100+ year-old folk song? World Records? We bet you didn't know these crazy facts about Tetris.
Tetris is more than a video game. It’s a cultural phenomenon that inspires artists, screenwriters and plenty of other people across a variety of professions. There’s also a rich history to the game, with influences that go back more than 100 years!
With that in mind, below are some of the most mind-blowing Tetris facts that will give you a new perspective on the beloved puzzle game.
It’s All in the Name
The name “Tetris” is a mixture of the Greek word “tetra” meaning “four” and tennis, the latter of which is Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov’s favorite sport.
Name that Tune
The Tetris theme we all know dates back more than 100 years to an old Russian folk song about a peddler called “Korobeiniki.” One of the most memorable versions of the tune appeared as Type-A in the Game Boy version of Tetris, which debuted in 1989.
Hollywood and Music
Royalty Entertainment Weekly reports that celebrated actor Sir Patrick Stewart and the multi-talented Beyoncé both liked Tetris. Yes, even Professor X from the X-Men films needs a mental workout every now and then.
As Seen on TV
Tetris pops up in some of the most critically acclaimed television shows in history, including Family Guy, The Big Bang Theory, and The Office. Arguably the most famous scene comes from The Simpsons, in the episode, “Strong Arms of the Ma” (season 14, episode nine), where Homer packs various items and even family members into the car, Tetris style!
Hitting the Road
Automaker General Motors featured the famous Tetriminos in a commercial for its 2013 Chevrolet Traverse, where the iconic shapes slowly fall from the ceiling and then get neatly packed into the back of the vehicle all while the Tetris theme song plays in the background.
Breaking Records
According to the Guinness World Records 2016 Gamer’s Edition, Tetris has the most variants of a videogame. With more than 215 official versions released on almost every platform you could imagine, which version of Tetris is your favorite?
Blinding Us with Science
Did you know that Tetris appeared in more than 30 different scientific studies? Yup, the world’s most famous puzzle game has been used to help study its effects on PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), people with lazy eye disorder and even dieting!
These are just a few of the amazing facts behind everyone’s favorite puzzle game. We look forward to dropping even more knowledge about our favorite puzzle game in the weeks ahead!
