Teenager claims first ever Tetris ‘rebirth’

In a groundbreaking achievement for the gaming community, a 16-year-old from the United States has become the first known player to reset the classic video game Tetris to level 0 after completing it. Michael Artiaga, who streams under the username “dogplayingtetris,” made this historic claim while livestreaming on Twitch.

On Sunday, Artiaga accomplished the feat after an intense 82-minute session, culminating in his successful clearance of level 255, the highest level in Tetris. Viewers watched in awe as the game reset itself, starting again from the beginning. Overwhelmed by the moment, Artiaga exclaimed, “Am I dreaming, bro?” expressing his disbelief at this unprecedented occurrence.

Continuing his gameplay, Artiaga finished with an impressive score of 29.4 million points. As he prepared to conclude his stream, he reflected on the experience, saying, “I’m so glad that game is over… I never want to play this game again.”

The version of Tetris he was playing is the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) edition, known for its ability to prevent crashes after level 155. This feature has been a game-changer for players like Artiaga, as previous attempts by others to set records often ended in crashes, marking a significant hurdle in their gaming journeys.

Earlier this year, another Oklahoma teenager, Willis “Blue Scuti” Gibson, claimed to be the first player to complete the game by reaching level 157. However, his game crashed shortly after, leaving his claim somewhat controversial.

Tetris, created in 1984 by Soviet engineer Alexey Pajitnov, has remained a beloved classic in the gaming world, spawning numerous versions across various platforms. The game’s simple yet challenging mechanics involve arranging falling shapes, each made up of four blocks, into horizontal lines. When a line is completed, it disappears. Players must clear lines before the blocks pile up to the top of the screen; failure to do so results in a game over.

Artiaga is among several young gamers who have taken to livestreaming their Tetris experiences, aiming to break records for the highest levels reached or the most lines cleared. Remarkably, he became the world’s youngest Tetris world champion at just 13 years old, defeating his older brother in the Classic Tetris World Championship final in 2020.

Reflecting on his latest achievement, Artiaga shared his excitement in the description of his two-hour-long YouTube stream: “I still cannot believe it… first ever to get Rebirth!” He expressed gratitude to his supporters, saying, “I’m so happy about finally getting this after all of the attempts. It’s finally over.”

This milestone not only marks a significant moment in Artiaga’s gaming career but also highlights the ongoing fascination with Tetris and its enduring appeal among players of all ages. The competitive spirit surrounding the game continues to thrive, with players pushing the boundaries of what is possible within its simple framework.

As Artiaga steps away from Tetris for the time being, his achievement will undoubtedly inspire a new wave of players to take on the challenge, each aiming to reach new heights in this classic game. Whether he will return to the iconic blocks in the future remains to be seen, but for now, he can bask in the glory of his unprecedented accomplishment.