Tetris

How many copies did Tetris sell? — 2024 statistics

Blocks of success where the puzzle keeps growing.

Fact-checked
Release Date
June 6, 1984
Genre
Puzzle
Developer
Alexey Pajitnov

In the ever-evolving world of video games, Tetris stands out not only as an iconic puzzle game but also as a significant commercial success. This article delves into the Tetris sales and Tetris statistics, highlighting the remarkable achievements and enduring popularity of this game since its inception. From millions of downloads to a broad demographic appeal, Tetris continues to captivate players around the globe, making it a fascinating subject for both historical and analytical exploration in the gaming industry.

Tetris remains one of the best-selling video game franchises, with over 520 million units sold.

(Source: Tetris)

  • This places it among the top-selling games globally, illustrating its enduring popularity across decades.
  • Tetris was bundled with the original Game Boy in 1989, selling over 35 million copies and making it a huge success.
  • The mobile version of Tetris has surpassed 100 million paid downloads.
  • Tetris continues to expand into new areas like movies, merchandise, and lifestyle products over 35 years after its creation.
  • Tetris has been ported to nearly every platform and has sold more than 500 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time.

Tetris has had an incredibly long and influential history since its creation in 1984. What started as a simple puzzle game made by a Russian programmer has grown into a global multimedia franchise enjoyed by over 500 million people. Tetris was truly ahead of its time in popularizing video games and paved the way for the casual gaming market. Even after 35+ years, the Tetris brand continues to evolve and engage new audiences through innovative new games, movies, products and more. Its simple yet addictive gameplay clearly struck a chord that has lasted for generations.

The mobile version of Tetris has surpassed 615 million downloads.

(Source: Tetris, VideoGamesStats, GamesIndustry.biz)

  • Tetris mobile has reached over 425 million paid downloads.
  • 35 million copies of Tetris were sold for Game Boy alone.
  • 5 million copies of Tetris were sold for Nintendo Entertainment System.

Tetris has achieved unprecedented success as a video game property. It holds the Guinness World Record as the most ported video game of all time. Tetris further strengthened its popularity through various adaptations, including notable mobile and social media versions. Its simple yet addictive gameplay clearly resonated widely and endured for generations. The statistics show Tetris truly cemented its place as one of the most influential games ever made.

Tetris is played in more than 200 countries.

(Source: Tetris)

  • Tetris has been translated into 50 languages .
  • Tetris has been released on over 50 different platforms.

While having versions in 50+ languages and releases on over 50 platforms is impressive, the fact that Tetris has players in a vast majority of countries around the globe really underscores just how ubiquitous and beloved this game is on an international scale. Playing in over 200 nations means Tetris transcends languages and technologies to engage puzzle fans virtually everywhere, cementing its status as one of the best-selling and most iconic video games of all time.

Tetris 99 on Nintendo Switch had over 2.8 million players.

(Source: Nintendo Life, VentureBeat)

  • 25 billion Tetris battle games have been played on facebook
  • It reaches the huge audience of over 1.3 billion Messenger users, including those who may be new to Tetris.

The addition of Tetris to Facebook Messenger as an instant game expands its already massive reach to a new audience of over 1 billion users. As one of the most iconic and recognizable games ever created, Tetris continues to find success on new platforms decades after its debut by allowing players to easily challenge friends and enjoy its simple yet compelling falling block gameplay. Being available instantly on Messenger without downloading further lowers barriers to playing Tetris, which seeks to cement its status as a game available everywhere people use digital services.

Tetris was the first video game played in space.

  • Scientific studies have found Tetris can help with conditions like PTSD and amblyopia.
  • Tetris has been part of the Paralympic Games and other major events.
  • Many famous people like Patrick Stewart and Beyoncé have admitted to being Tetris “addicts”.
  • The Tetris theme song is based on a Russian folk song called “Korobeiniki” .

Tetris has endured as one of the most popular and widely recognized video games of all time based on the simple yet addictive gameplay concept it introduced over 35 years ago. From its origins in the 1980s to its references in popular culture like TV shows, movies and art installations, Tetris has permeated our collective consciousness. While bringing joy to countless players, it has also been utilized in scientific studies and even made an appearance in the Paralympic Games, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of this iconic puzzle game.

Sources

  • “About Tetris”. Tetris, 2024, https://tetris.com/about-us
  • “Tetris Player Counts and Game Details”. VideoGamesStats, 2024, https://videogamesstats.com/tetris-stats-and-facts/
  • “Tetris® By The Numbers”. Tetris, 2024, https://tetris.com/by-the-numbers
  • “Tetris now at 425 million paid mobile downloads”. GamesIndustry.biz, 2024, https://www.gamesindustry.biz/tetris-now-at-425-million-paid-mobile-downloads
  • “9.8 Million Switch Owners Have Signed Up To The Online Service And 2.8 Million Have Played Tetris 99”. Nintendo Life, 2024, https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/04/9_8_million_switch_owners_have_signed_up_to_the_online_service_and_2_8_million_have_played_tetris_99
  • “Tetris launches as an instant game on Facebook Messenger”. VentureBeat, 2024, https://venturebeat.com/games/tetris-launches-as-an-instant-game-on-facebook-messenger/