When Did Nintendo Own Tetris?
Tetris, one of the most iconic and beloved video games of all time, has a rich history that spans decades. From its humble beginnings in the Soviet Union to its global phenomenon status today, Tetris has been owned and operated by various companies over the years. In this article, we’ll delve into the history of Tetris and answer the question: When did Nintendo own Tetris?
The Early Years
Tetris was created in 1984 by Alexey Pajitnov, a Soviet computer programmer. The game was initially released as a free game and quickly gained popularity in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. In 1986, Robert Stein, an American computer programmer, discovered Tetris and brought it to the West. Stein founded Andromeda, a company that acquired the rights to distribute Tetris in the United States.
Nintendo’s Involvement
In 1989, Nintendo acquired the rights to distribute Tetris in North America and Europe. Nintendo’s involvement with Tetris began in June 1988, when they signed a deal with Andromeda to produce and distribute Tetris for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The game was released in May 1989 and became a huge success, selling millions of copies worldwide.
The Tetris Company
In 2002, Pajitnov and Henk Rogers, a Dutch video game developer, founded The Tetris Company, a company that would manage and license the Tetris brand. The Tetris Company acquired the rights to Tetris from Elorg, a Russian company that had acquired the rights from Pajitnov. The Tetris Company is still the owner and operator of the Tetris brand today.
Tengen and the NES Version
In 1988, Nintendo signed a deal with Tengen, a subsidiary of Atari Games, to produce and distribute Tetris for the NES. Tengen developed the game, which was released in May 1989. The NES version of Tetris was a huge success, selling millions of copies worldwide.
Key Dates
Here are some key dates in the history of Tetris and Nintendo’s involvement:
- 1984: Tetris is created by Alexey Pajitnov
- 1986: Robert Stein discovers Tetris and brings it to the West
- 1988: Nintendo signs a deal with Andromeda to produce and distribute Tetris for the NES
- 1989: Tetris is released for the NES and becomes a huge success
- 2002: The Tetris Company is founded by Pajitnov and Henk Rogers
Conclusion
In conclusion, Nintendo owned Tetris from 1989 to 2002, when The Tetris Company was founded. During this time, Nintendo released the NES version of Tetris, which became a huge success. Today, The Tetris Company is the owner and operator of the Tetris brand, and the game continues to be enjoyed by millions of people around the world.
Table: Timeline of Tetris and Nintendo’s Involvement
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1984 | Tetris is created by Alexey Pajitnov |
| 1986 | Robert Stein discovers Tetris and brings it to the West |
| 1988 | Nintendo signs a deal with Andromeda to produce and distribute Tetris for the NES |
| 1989 | Tetris is released for the NES and becomes a huge success |
| 2002 | The Tetris Company is founded by Pajitnov and Henk Rogers |
Bullets: Key Points
• Tetris was created in 1984 by Alexey Pajitnov
• Robert Stein discovered Tetris and brought it to the West in 1986
• Nintendo signed a deal with Andromeda to produce and distribute Tetris for the NES in 1988
• The NES version of Tetris was released in 1989 and became a huge success
• The Tetris Company was founded in 2002 by Pajitnov and Henk Rogers