In a groundbreaking achievement, 13-year-old Willis Gibson, known as "blue scuti" in the gaming world, has become the first player to “beat” the original Nintendo version of the iconic video game Tetris. Willis reached a point in the game known as a "kill screen," where the Tetris code glitches and crashes the game. This accomplishment is highly coveted in the gaming community, as it pushes the limits of both hardware and software.
Tetris, a falling-block puzzle game, has long been considered unbeatable due to its lack of a scripted ending. The game challenges players to stack four-block shapes and clear rows, with the blocks continuously falling regardless of skill level. Despite top players finding ways to extend their winning streaks by reaching higher levels, the game ultimately defeated them all. Until now.
On December 21, Willis triggered a kill screen on Level 157, marking a victory over the game itself. This achievement is seen as pushing the software beyond its limits and has garnered praise from the makers of Tetris. Tetris CEO Maya Rogers congratulated Willis, calling his victory a "monumental achievement" that defies the preconceived limits of the legendary game.
The journey to beating Tetris has been a long and challenging one. Early on, players struggled to progress beyond the 20s and 30s due to a lack of techniques. However, gamers eventually discovered strategies to overcome obstacles. In 2011, a technique called “hypertapping” allowed players to reach Level 30 by rapidly moving the game controller faster than its built-in speed. By 2018, players had reached Level 35 using this method. In 2020, a gamer combined a multifinger technique with a rolling motion to achieve Level 95.
As players pushed the game to its limits, new obstacles emerged. Higher levels introduced random color combinations, making it difficult to distinguish blocks from the black background. Patterns like “Dusk” and “Charcoal” proved taxing. Additionally, the strain of longer games, lasting over 40 minutes, slowed progress. To overcome these challenges, a Tetris-playing AI program called StackRabbit was developed. It reached Level 237 before crashing the game, providing insights into how glitches could be triggered.
Using StackRabbit's findings, human players collaborated to map out scenarios that could cause crashes in the original game. This led to the compilation of a large spreadsheet detailing the specific conditions and levels most likely to result in a game-ending glitch. Armed with this knowledge, Willis embarked on his record-breaking run.
Even Willis himself was taken aback when he crashed the game at Level 157. In a livestream video, he can be seen hyperventilating and expressing disbelief. Concerned about his well-being, he worries that he might pass out and exclaims, "I can't feel my fingers."
Willis Gibson's achievement in beating the original Nintendo version of Tetris has made waves in the gaming community. His victory over a game once believed to be unbeatable showcases the dedication and skill of players who continuously strive to push the boundaries of gaming. Tetris, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, has been forever changed by Willis' monumental accomplishment.
