Tetris Forever Review | For Collectors, Not Casuals｜Game8 (2024)

Tetris Forever is an anthology collection of 18 timeless versions of one of the gaming industry’s biggest classics. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.

Tetris Forever Review Overview

What is Tetris Forever?

Tetris Forever brings together 18 iconic and inventive versions of the classic Tetris experience, celebrating the game’s 40-year legacy. With niche gems like Bombliss, Hatris, a brand-new Tetris Time Warp, and even Alexey Pajitnov's original creation, the collection highlights some of the most imaginative spins on Tetris through the years.

Also included in the game is a documentary-style timeline that walks players through Tetris' origins, explosive rise, and present-day legacy. This feature includes exclusive interviews with Pajitnov and key members of The Tetris Company.

Tetris Forever features:
　⚫︎　18 Tetris games, including the newest Tetris Time Warp
　⚫︎　5 chapters of featurettes about the history of Tetris
　⚫︎　Variable difficulty and music settings for all included Tetris titles
　⚫︎　Local and Online multiplayer features for up to 2 players
　
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Tetris Forever's gameplay and story.

Digital Storefronts
Xbox		Switch		GoG
Price		$39.99
Steam			PlayStation
Price		$34.99

Tetris Forever Pros & Cons

Tetris Forever Overall Score - 52/100

Tetris Forever is less a coin flip and more a litmus test: are you a Tetris fan? If yes, you’ll likely find plenty to appreciate; if not, this collection is unlikely to change your mind or stimulate it. The extra features and historical overview add some flair, but they ultimately don’t elevate the experience beyond a niche appeal. For longtime fans, it’s a loving tribute—but for anyone else, it’s just a bunch of old games and a museum exhibit.

Tetris Forever Story - 5/10

Tetris Forever doesn’t feature any story across its anthology of titles—unsurprising, as Tetris has always focused on pure gameplay, long predating the era when games became dedicated storytelling mediums. While the collection does include a well-produced exhibit celebrating the Tetris IP’s 40-year journey, it doesn’t dive particularly deep and likely won’t captivate anyone outside the Tetris fanbase.

Tetris Forever Gameplay - 5/10

Tetris’ gameplay is as timeless as ever: clear-cut, effective, and endlessly addictive. But will it capture the attention of today’s gamers? Maybe not. This anthology offers a nostalgic collection with only minor tweaks beyond what the original games provided. Normally, that might be enough, but with some of the more unique versions of Tetris absent, the experience feels a bit too ordinary.

Tetris Forever Visuals - 7/10

Tetris Forever captures a genuine sense of nostalgia with each game in its collection. The carefully crafted stylized borders, the retro simplicity of the graphics in the older games, and the well-executed Tetris exhibit all create a cohesive, engaging experience. While it leans heavily on its familiar charm, the repetition can occasionally set in—but for fans, that authenticity is hard to beat.

Tetris Forever Audio - 6/10

Tetris Forever’s audio banks on the enduring appeal of its classic tracks and the nostalgia they spark. While the iconic Tetris theme is undeniably timeless, it’s essentially the only tune you’ll hear throughout. Even the beloved Korobeiniki can wear thin after endless repeats and slight variations.

Tetris Forever Value for Money - 3/10

Anthology games generally struggle to justify a price tag above $20, as they’re often repackaged classics with minimal updates. Tetris Forever not only falls into this trap but shatters it with a steep $40 price. For that amount, you get a modest selection of games and an exhibit that, despite its decent production quality, feels more like a $4 add-on than a feature. Unless you’re a die-hard Tetris fan, this collection doesn’t deliver enough to make the cost worthwhile.

Tetris Forever Review: For Collectors, Not Casuals

Tetris, as a concept, finds itself in an unusual place today. This foundational ur-video game helped shape the modern gaming industry alongside other icons, proving the viability of games as a business and cultural force. Yet, its modern-day influence is minimal, sustained primarily by a small but dedicated fanbase.

Tetris Forever leans into this niche appeal, delivering a thoughtfully crafted experience that may not draw in the masses but could feel priceless to die-hard fans. Still, there’s more to a game than popularity, and Tetris Forever reminds us that some experiences hold value beyond their mainstream appeal.

A Timeless Gameplay Formula Through the Years

Tetris is one of the most iconic games ever made, but if you’re new to it—or somehow haven’t crossed paths with its many versions—here’s a quick rundown of what makes it so addictive.

In Tetris, the goal is simple yet challenging: fit uniquely shaped pieces called Tetrominoes onto a game board and rack up points before the board fills up entirely, a loss condition called “topping out.” The trick is to form complete rows across the board, clearing lines for points while keeping your board as open as possible. Each Tetromino has its own shape, and players can rotate these pieces as they descend to fill gaps.

When a line is completed, it clears, giving space for new pieces. However, any leftover bits from previous moves can complicate your next row, making it even more challenging. Clearing multiple rows at once scores extra points, and upcoming Tetrominoes are often displayed near the play area to help players strategize.

Over the years, many variations of this classic formula have emerged, each adding a unique twist. Tetris Forever, for instance, showcases a 18-game anthology of these imaginative takes on the classic game.

Some standouts include Bombliss, a version where some Tetrominoes contain bombs that explode when a line is cleared. Clearing multiple lines in Bombliss triggers larger explosions, with uncleared pieces falling to fill the gaps below.

Then there’s Hatris, a playful spin where Tetrominoes are replaced with hats. Instead of creating lines, players stack matching hats in groups of five to score points. While hats can’t be rotated, players can swap them around as they fall, adding a fresh layer of strategy.

Finally, there’s competitive Tetris, where two players face off in a race to top out the other first. Here, every line you clear sends it over to your opponent, making their board harder to manage as Tetrominoes will have less time before they hit the bottom.

These versions are just a sample of the titles you’ll find in Tetris Forever’s collection. Many of them originally debuted on classic gaming systems like the Famicom, and Game Boy, or even as stand-alone arcade cabinets. But Tetris Forever has one special treat: an all-new game called Tetris Time Warp, the collection's capstone, and a fresh twist on the iconic formula.

Tetris Time Warp was a Great Capstone

The standout innovation in Tetris Forever is undoubtedly Tetris Time Warp, a fresh take on the classic that transports players through different eras of Tetris to rack up higher scores.

In Tetris Time Warp, every ten lines cleared spawns a special Tetromino. When you clear this piece (even just partially), it activates a “time warp” sequence that pulls you into a challenge based on a past version of Tetris.

These challenges can take place in fan favorites like Bombliss and Hatris or in simple, vintage versions of the game. Each challenge comes with a unique task, such as clearing double lines or detonating a massive bomb, while having only a limited number of Tetrominoes to do so. Players score additional points based on how many challenges they successfully complete.

For me, Tetris Time Warp was the most fun I’ve had with Tetris in a long time—even among the other titles in Tetris Forever’s anthology. It’s a fantastic addition that truly caps the collection, though, admittedly, it’s such a standout that it overshadows the rest of the collection rather than improving its value.

While this might wrap up the Tetris Forever conversation, there's actually a whole other side to this game that deserves attention—and it’s surprisingly well-produced.

Featurettes Have Good Production Value

Tetris Forever includes a five-chapter timeline packed with featurettes, trivia, and images that guide players through the rich history of Tetris. Beginning with its origins under the creative mind of Alexey Pajitnov and ending with its enduring influence in today’s media, this timeline offers a documentary-style journey that any Tetris enthusiast will appreciate. The chapters are thoughtfully produced, blending fascinating facts with engaging visuals that bring the story of Tetris to life, creating a Tetris museum that fans can carry with them.

The impressive production value in Tetris Forever extends to each anthology title’s presentation, showcasing them in their original, classic style with thoughtful emulations of older system screens and control schemes. These nostalgic touches are further enhanced by a soundtrack that perfectly complements the visuals, creating an experience that feels like a time capsule for longtime fans.

However, while this timeline and nostalgic presentation treat Tetris fans, they’re just accouterments to an otherwise empty main dish. Its content doesn’t directly tie into the anthology’s gameplay, making it a standalone experience that, though well-executed, doesn’t substantially enhance the titles in Tetris Forever’s lineup.

Not Enough Games for an Anthology

Adding to the areas where Tetris Forever falls short is its limited selection of titles—just 18 games—especially considering that other anthology collections often offer 20 or more. While there’s no strict rule that an anthology needs a certain number of games to be enjoyable, the modest lineup here feels underwhelming given Tetris’s rich history and adaptability.

The simplicity of the Tetris formula has inspired countless unique variations over the years, many of which could have been included to enhance the collection. This omission feels even more pronounced alongside the game’s well-made historical featurettes, which highlight the vast array of Tetris titles through the years but don’t deliver on that variety in the playable collection.

No Universal Control Scheme

On top of Tetris Forever’s limited collection, the lack of a universal control scheme across the anthology titles adds to its shortcomings. Admittedly, implementing a consistent control scheme is challenging when dealing with games originally designed for different consoles and platforms, each with its unique mechanics.

However, this inconsistency can make the experience feel disjointed, especially when switching between games. Adjustable controls, at least on non-PC versions, would have gone a long way in smoothing out the experience and adding a level of customization that many players expect from modern anthologies. Evidently, there’s more to evoking nostalgia than just making things as they were.

Definitely for Hardcore Tetris Fans Only

All in all, Tetris Forever feels like a love letter from Tetris fans, designed specifically with other Tetris enthusiasts in mind. However, for players who aren’t already captivated by arcade games, classic Tetris, or retro nostalgia, the game may fall flat in a variety of ways. It doesn’t offer a story, substantial progression, or much variety to keep the gameplay fresh for a broader audience.

Ultimately, while it’s hard to be overly critical of Tetris Forever—especially if you’re not its target audience—the game lacks the widespread appeal needed to be more than a pocket-sized slice of nostalgia.

Is Tetris Forever Worth It?

Only if You’re Nostalgic

Given the content and quality Tetris Forever offers, along with its relatively high $40 price tag, it’s clear the game is positioned more as a collector’s item than an essential addition to your game library.

With so many titles across various genres available at a lower price and delivering more in gameplay, it’s hard to justify this purchase for the average player. For most, this game simply doesn’t offer enough value. Unless you’re a dedicated collector looking to complete your retro classics catalog, Tetris Forever may not be worth the investment.

Digital Storefronts
Xbox		Switch		GoG
Price		$39.99
Steam			PlayStation
Price		$34.99

Tetris Forever FAQ

What Titles are Included in Tetris Forever?

Tetris Forever includes the following titles in its anthology collection:

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Tetris Forever Product Information

Title	TETRIS FOREVER
Release Date	November 12, 2024
Developer	Digital Eclipse
Publisher	Digital Eclipse
Supported Platforms	Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Genre	Puzzle
Number of Players	Local 1-4
Rating	ESRB Everyone
Official Website	Tetris Forever Official Website