After older Tetris games disappeared from the iPhone and Android app stores earlier this week, a new title has now arrived on both platforms.
Tetris is a new game that's now available on iOS and Android. It's a pretty straightforward version of Tetris, offering one mode that you can quickly jump into from the main screen. Developer N3TWORK tells us that new gameplay modes will be added in the future.
Once you're in the game, you'll use taps and swipes to manipulate the blocks as they drop. Tapping the screen will rotate a block, slowing swiping down will speed up the descent, and swiping down quickly will make it drop immediately.
There's a Hold section so that you can save a piece for later, too.
The app can be played online or offline and includes leaderboards so you can see how you stack up to other Tetris players around the globe. Leaderboards are local right now, but online leaderboards are coming soon.
There are five skins for you to choose from, including a classic 8-bit skin inspired by the original Tetris on the Game Boy, and you can select an avatar for yourself, too.
Tetris is free to play but you'll have to watch an ad before starting a new game. There is an in-app purchase to remove ads for $4.99.
This new Tetris game is arriving on the scene just days after it was announced that older Tetris games on Android and iPhone were being retired. Tetris Blitz and Tetris 2011 have already been pulled from the Play Store (via Android Police), and while Tetris 2011 is still live on Apple's App Store, an message from EA explains that it'll be retired on April 21.
"We have had an amazing journey with you so far but sadly, it is time to say goodbye. As of April 21, 2020, EA’s Tetris® app will be retired, and will no longer be available to play," the message reads. "Kindly note that you will still be able to enjoy the game and use any existing in-game items until April 21, 2020. We hope you have gotten many hours of enjoyment out of this game and we appreciate your ongoing support. Thank you!"
While this app is a bit barebones right now, it does offer a straightforward Tetris experience on your smartphone. Plus, the 8-bit Game Boy theme is pretty fun to look at. If you love Tetris or you've never played it but want to see what one of the most well-known games of all time is all about, you can download Tetris right now.