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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →On December 21, 2023, 13-year-old Willis Gibson—who plays online as Blue Scuti—reached Level 157 in the original Nintendo Entertainment System version of Tetris. The game froze. In competitive play, forcing that crash is considered beating this version of Tetris, which has no designed ending; it did not display a planned victory screen.
What happened when Gibson beat the original Tetris?
Gibson’s run lasted about 38 minutes. At Level 157, the NES game reached a state players call a “kill screen” and stopped responding. The Associated Press reported the Level 157 crash in its account of the achievement; Georgia Public Broadcasting reported the run details and score distinction.
The word “beat” needs that qualification. The original NES game does not offer a final level or scripted ending for players to complete. Here, beating it means reaching a software failure state so extreme that the game freezes—not finishing a conventional campaign or triggering an intended ending. The Associated Press describes the crash and why players treat it as a finish: AP News’ report on Gibson’s Tetris achievement.
How did a 13-year-old beat Tetris?
He used rolling to move pieces quickly
Gibson used a controller technique called “rolling.” Rather than relying on ordinary button presses, a player rapidly taps the controller’s underside with their fingers, producing fast repeated inputs. At high levels, where pieces fall too quickly for conventional inputs to keep pace, that speed can help players position them in time. ABC News Australia explains rolling and Gibson’s run.
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- 🕹️Officialy Licensed: This is an officially licensed Tetris title, ensuring an authentic gaming experience
- 🔋Portable Power: Powered by 4 AA batteries for gaming on-the-go (batteries not included) or by a USB-C cable (not included)
- Addictive Gameplay: The iconic Tetris game challenges your brain with addictive puzzle action, fast-paced block stacking and sharpens your reflexes.
- High Resolution: This pocket-sized game features a high-resolution 2.75-inch full-color vertical display, allowing you to immerse yourself in the classic gameplay.
- Headphone Jack: 3.5mm headphone jack lets you enjoy Tetris on the go on your own privately. Perfect for travel. Take your games anywhere
The result built on years of competitive progress
Rolling was part of a larger body of competitive knowledge, not a single trick that automatically wins. Earlier players had advanced with “hypertapping,” a rapid button-pressing technique. Later, competitors and researchers examined how the game might reach crash conditions, including with StackRabbit, a Tetris-playing AI. The Associated Press describes these developments alongside Gibson’s method: AP News’ account of the techniques behind the run.
What score did the game show?
At the freeze, the game displayed 999999. That is the visible score, not the total Gibson said he had earned: Georgia Public Broadcasting reported that he put his actual score at 6.8 million. Keep the figures separate—the display had reached its limit while Gibson’s reported total was higher. Georgia Public Broadcasting’s report on the run and score.
Rank #2
- Officialy Licensed: This is an officially licensed Tetris title, ensuring an authentic gaming experience. Includes 200 bonus games!!!
- 🕹️ Addictive Gameplay: The iconic Tetris game challenges your brain with addictive puzzle action, fast-paced block stacking and sharpens your reflexes. Full color 2.5" screen
- Vibrant Art Style: Enjoy the charming and colorful visuals that have become a hallmark of Tetris, appealing to players of all ages. Intuitive user interface. Built-in speaker with volume control
- 🎯 Portable Power: Requires 3 AAA non-rechargeable batteries for gaming on-the-go (batteries not included) or by a USB Type C cable (not included). Mini Screwdriver needed and not included.
- Headphone Jack: 3.5mm headphone jack lets you enjoy Tetris on the go on your own privately. Perfect for travel. Take your games anywhere
Who is Blue Scuti?
Blue Scuti is Gibson’s online competition name. He had been competing since 2021 and finished third at the October 2023 Classic Tetris World Championship. Georgia Public Broadcasting reported that he was the youngest person to compete in that championship. He dedicated the historic run to his father, Adam Gibson, who had died the previous month. Georgia Public Broadcasting’s profile of Gibson.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why call it the first time a person beat Tetris?
The claim refers specifically to a human reaching a kill screen in the original NES game—not to every version of Tetris, which has appeared in many editions, or to the game’s broader history. The NES release is also distinct from Tetris’s earlier origins: The Guardian notes that the game was created in 1984, before its 1989 Nintendo-era release. Classic Tetris World Championship president Vince Clemente called Gibson’s feat unprecedented, telling The Guardian: “It’s never been done by a human before.” The Guardian’s report on the historic run.
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- PORTABLE RETRO GAMING: Feel the nostalgic thrill of classic puzzle action anywhere you go, with this compact keyring console clipping easily onto keys or bags for instant fun.
- AUTHENTIC LICENSED GAMEPLAY: Experience true nostalgia with officially licensed Tetris sounds, original mechanics, and retro LCD graphics - no Wi-Fi or apps required at all.
- TWO FUN GAME MODES: Choose Sprint Mode to clear 25 lines as fast as possible or Marathon Mode to test endurance across 15 levels, sharpening focus and strategy each time.
- RESPONSIVE CONTROLS & SCORE MEMORY: Smooth arcade-style buttons make stacking blocks satisfying, while built-in score memory saves your best results for ongoing challenges.
- BATTERY POWERED & TRAVEL READY: Runs on 2 AAA batteries (not included) for unplugged fun anytime - perfect for car rides, flights, school breaks, or office downtime.
Tetris CEO Maya Rogers also congratulated Gibson in a statement reported by the Associated Press: “Congratulations to ‘blue scuti’ for achieving this extraordinary accomplishment, a feat that defies all preconceived limits of this legendary game.” The Associated Press report, including Rogers’ statement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- CLASSIC GRAPHICS AND SOUNDS: Immerse yourself in nostalgia with classic graphics, music, and sounds that look just like the original Tetris arcade game!
- AUTHENTIC GAMEPLAY: Use the joystick and buttons to move and rotate the Tetriminos as they fall to complete lines and score points!
- FULL COLOR SCREEN: With a brighter, full color screen that makes it easy to see the blocks, you’ll be racking up points like a pro as you stack your Tetriminos!
- MARATHON MODE: Race to line up your Tetriminos in rows before they stack too high. Complete 10 lines to move to the next level. But watch out - the Tetriminos drop faster the longer you play!
- SHARE AND COLLECT: Arcade Classics are a must-have retro toy for collectors or for anyone looking to share this classic toy with the next generation!
Rank #4
- Officialy Licensed: This is an officially licensed Tetris title, ensuring an authentic gaming experience
- 🚀 Addictive Gameplay: The iconic Tetris game challenges your brain with addictive puzzle action, fast-paced block stacking and sharpens your reflexes. Includes 300 bonus games. Full color 2.5" screen
- ✅ Portable Power: Powered by 3 AAA batteries for gaming on-the-go (batteries not included). On/Off LED switch for illuminated buttons
- Headphone Jack: 3.5mm headphone jack lets you enjoy Tetris on the go on your own privately. Perfect for travel. Take your games anywhere
- Vibrant Art Style: Enjoy the charming and colorful visuals that have become a hallmark of Tetris
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