NES Tetris - Legends

Jonas Neubauer

Jonas Neubauer was an American professional Tetris player and a prominent figure in the competitive Tetris community. Neubauer gained widespread recognition for his exceptional skills in playing Tetris, particularly the classic version of the game on the NES.

Neubauer became a seven-time world champion of the Classic Tetris World Championship (CTWC) from the very first one when it was created in 2010 all the way to 2017, only losing once in the 2014 finals to Harry Hong, solidifying his status as one of the best Tetris players in the world. He was known for his calm demeanor and strategic gameplay, earning him the nickname "The King of Tetris." Neubauer would stream regularly on his Twitch channel and even created Tetris tutorial guides, a series of videos where he teaches new players how to play Tetris at a high level using the classic DAS playstyle. He played a crucial role in popularizing competitive Tetris, contributing to the growth of the community and inspiring players around the globe.

Tragically, Jonas Neubauer passed away on January 4, 2021, at the age of 39. His unexpected death was a shock to the Tetris community, and his legacy lives on as an influential figure in the history of competitive Tetris, so much show that the CTWC would go on to change the championship trophy to a J piece in his honor and renaming the award the Jonas Neubauer Memorial Trophy. Neubauer's contributions to the world of competitive gaming are remembered with respect and admiration by fellow players and fans alike. In honor of his DAS playstyle, a yearly Jonas Neubauer Memorial Cup tournament was created where even top players participate in to honor the Tetris legend.

Thor Aackerlund

Thor Aackerlund is best known for winning the Nintendo World Championships in 1990, which included Super Mario, Rad Racer and of course, Tetris. At the time, Thor did something that no other Tetris player was doing. He would vibrate his thumb on the d-pad of the controller which would enable the tetrominos to move much faster from side to side. This essentially gives him the distinction and honor of being the very first hypertapper. Not only that, but he appeared in the documentary Ecstasy of Order in 2010, he had claimed to be the very first player ever to not only maxout the game, but reach level 30. But with no video proof, people had a very hard time believing such a claim. Months later, Thor was determined to prove he wasn't lying. And although he was much older and even self admittedly not the same player he once was, he setup his camcorder and recorded multiple attempts until finally, he did it and became the very first person to reach level 30 in recorded history.

Harry Hong

On paper (and in the Guiness book of world records), Harry Hong is the first person to ever get a maxxout on NES Tetris. But in actually, he is the first person to have recorded proof of it. Technically speaking, Thor Aackerlund and Jonas Neubauer claimed to have obtained this remarkable feat in the years prior. Originally, the documentary Ecstasy of Order was supposed to be centered around Harry Hong and his maxout. However, the narrative shifted towards determining the world's greatest Tetris player, leading to the formation of the Classic Tetris World Champions (CTWC) in 2010. Harry would go on the reach the finals, but lose to seven-time world champion Jonas Neubauer. He would go on to finally defeat Jonas in the 2014 finals, making him a former NES Tetris world champion. Following the rise of the rolling playstyle, Harry Hong decided to retire from competitive play.

Joseph Saelee

Joseph Saelee, a two-time Tetris world champion, made a significant mark in the competitive gaming scene. He first rose to prominence by winning the Classic Tetris World Championship in 2018 at the age of 16. Notably, Saelee achieved this remarkable feat by defeating the seven-time world champion, Jonas Neubauer. Saelee's unique hypertapping technique, a rapid button pressing method, became a source of inspiration for new aspiring Tetris players. His success not only solidified his status as a top player but also contributed to the evolution of Tetris strategies, leaving a lasting impact on the Tetris community. He has since retired from competitive play.

Christopher "CheeZ" Martinez

Christopher "CheeZ" Martinez is a pivotal figure in the competitive NES Tetris scene, credited with revolutionizing gameplay through the invention of the rolling playstyle. CheeZ's introduction of the rolling playstyle not only showcased his creativity but also changed the dynamics of the competitive NES Tetris scene forever. His contributions have left a lasting impact, shaping the strategies and tactics embraced by players in the NES Tetris community, allowing them to move forward and pushing the game to it's limits, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of competitive gaming.

Ben Mullen

Ben Mullen holds a significant place in the world of NES Tetris as one of the participants in the first inaugural tournament and former lines world record holder. His involvement in the early stages of competitive Tetris helped set the foundation for the growing Tetris community. Additionally, the name "Mullen" has become synonymous with a specific gameplay technique in NES Tetris. In CTWC 2017's top 16, Mullen's game against Janutzska seemed poised for the first competition maxout until Janutzska topped out on level 24. Breaking tradition, caster Chris Bidwell urged Mullen to continue playing. Despite reaching 936k on level 28, waiting for a long bar, Mullen's move spawned a new term in the Tetris community - "Mullen," referring to playing on in an already won game.

Koji "Koryan" Nishio

Koryan is a prominent figure in the competitive Tetris scene, known for his expertise as a hypertapper. Hailing from Japan, he has showcased exceptional skills and precision in his gameplay, earning recognition as a Tetris Grand Master. Koryan's hypertapping technique, characterized by rapid button presses, set him apart in the world of competitive Tetris at the time, contributing to his success and acclaim among fellow players. His mastery of the game has solidified his status as a respected figure in the Tetris community.

Chris Tang

Chris Tang stands as a pivotal Tetris commentator, having provided insightful commentary for the Classic Tetris World Championship (CTWC) since its inception. His enduring commitment and distinctive catchphrase, "Boom Tetris for Jeff," have significantly contributed to making NES Tetris popular in the competitive gaming community. Recognizing his exceptional dedication and influence, Tang was honored with the CTWC Lifetime Achievement Award. This accolade underscores his profound impact on the Tetris community and his role in shaping the CTWC narrative over the years. Chris Tang's enduring presence and contributions have left an indelible mark on the competitive Tetris scene. He is also a former Sega World Champion and avid cosplayer.

Jeff Moore

Jeff Moore's journey in the CTWC reached a pinnacle when he made it to the finals, facing eventual winner Jonas Neubauer. This achievement showcased his exceptional Tetris skills and resilience in the face of competition. His distinctive catchphrase "Boom Tetris for Jeff" has become synonymous with thrilling moments in competitive play and caught the attention of many new players who would later find their own inspiration to join the scene.

Sean "Quaid" Ritchie

A crowd favorite, Quaid's journey in the Classic Tetris World Championship (CTWC) has been marked by persistence and memorable moments. Although he initially didn't qualify in 2010 and 2011, he has successfully qualified for every CTWC since 2012. One of his notable achievements includes reaching the Finals in 2015. In 2016, Quaid announced his retirement after being eliminated in the Top 8. However, he made a surprising return in 2017, adopting the alias "Hauser" and going undercover in the tournament. After reaching the Top 4, Hauser revealed himself as Quaid in a dramatic and hilarious turn of events. At the recent CTWC 2024, he even trashed talked Logan Paul backstage. If you follow the Twitch Channel, TotalRadNES, he frequently collaborates with Steve Deluca and will occasionally appear on his live streams.

Matt Buco

Finishing 3rd place in the very first CTWC in 2010, Matt Buco continued to gain recognition not only for his gameplay but also for the popular "Buco" chant. The chant became widely known and associated with Buco's performances, thanks to the efforts of another player, Quaid, who played a significant role in making the Buco chant popular. Quaid's enthusiastic and infectious support for Buco contributed to the chant's widespread adoption within the NES Tetris community. Buco is still an active player in the CTWC today.

Alex "Kitaru" Kerr

Alex Kerr joined the 1st Annual CTWC, utilizing NES Tetris. In the qualifying rounds, the Top 3 players with the highest score in 25 lines secured spots in the tournament. Despite Alex achieving a Tetris for every possible opportunity, three other players surpassed his score by earning more push-down points (points earned by pushing down on the controller). Consequently, he secured the 9th place in the tournament. Since his debut in the 2010 CTWC, Alex has been a consistent participant, qualifying for every tournament from 2011 to 2020. Notable highlights include reaching the finals in 2011 and 2017. Throughout his journey, he faced Jonas Neubauer four times, including their encounters in the finals. Like Koryan, he too is a Tetris Grand Master.

Michael Artiaga

Michael Artiaga, better known as Dog Playing Tetris in the classic NES Tetris community is a former back to back 2 time CTWC World Champion, having defeated his older brother PixelAndy in the 2020 finals, becoming the youngest Tetris world champion, and Jacob Huff the following year. In 2024, he made it all the way to the finals once again, but fell short to Alex Thach. Already considered one of the best Tetris players in the world today, he would go on to make Tetris history in October 2024, becoming the very first person to get to rebirth, making it all the way to the end of the game and setting a new score and lines world record in the process.

Willis "Blue Scuti" Gibson

A Tetris prodigy, Willis "Blue Scuti" Gibson is currently one of the best classic NES Tetris players in the world. Despite his young age, his remarkable skill in the game has earned him recognition in the competitive Tetris community. However, what truly cements his status as a Tetris legend is his historic achievement of being the first human to beat Tetris by triggering the game's true kill screen. This groundbreaking accomplishment instantly made Blue Scuti a legend in the world of Tetris, ensuring his lasting legacy in the game's history.

Trey Harrison

Trey Harrison was a competitor since the 1990 Nintendo World Championship. He entered the Classic Tetris World Championship (CTWC) through qualifiers. Despite finishing 7th at the 1st CTWC due to an early top-out in Game 2, he consistently qualifies for in-person tournaments since the move to the Portland Retro Gaming Expo. Apart from being a competitor, Trey served as the CTWC Tech Director, responsible for tech setup and creating the high-definition head-up display. His software captures and redraws the Standard Definition Game, enhancing the viewing experience. Trey's contributions extend to fairness, as he developed a special NES cartridge with 1000 random seed patterns, ensuring equal opportunities for competitors in each match.

Tomohiro "Greentea" Tatejima

Tomohiro "Greentea" Tatejima is a notable figure in the competitive Tetris scene, recognized for his exceptional DAS skills, achievements and infectious smile. Hailing from Japan, Greentea has made a significant impact in the Classic Tetris World Championship (CTWC) and other Tetris competitions. He was the lead multiplayer game designer for the modern Tetris Effect: Connected game and had a huge hand in implementing the classic NES Tetris mode, enabling newer players to play the NES Tetris style on modern consoles.

Dana Wilcox

Dana Wilcox once held the 4th All-Time Points in NES Tetris with a score of 722,065, securing her spot in the 2010 CTWC through qualifying. Despite a close call in the leaderboard, she earned a place in the main event, finishing 4th behind Jonas, Harry, and Buco. Dana would continue participating in subsequent tournaments, finally achieving a maxout in 2015. In 2019, she didn't qualify for CTWC, and has since retried from the competitive NES Tetris scene. An inspirational legend to all women in the classic NES Tetris scene.

Robin Mihara

Robin Mihara's Tetris journey began at the 1990 Nintendo World Championship, finishing 3rd after a defeat by Thor Aackerlund. In 2009, he met Adam Cornelius at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo, sparking their quest to determine the best Tetris player. This curiosity led to the creation of the documentary "Ecstasy of Order," and the Classic Tetris World Championship (CTWC) showcasing high-achieving Tetris players. Post-documentary, Robin became a regular at the CTWC, qualifying from 2011 to 2019. His other notable achievements include a Top 4 finish in 2011 and Top 16 placements in 2012 and 2013. Over the years, he faced formidable opponents like Jonas Neubauer, Alex Kerr, Josh Tolles, Matt Buco, and Koryan in the CTWC.

Josh Tolles

Joshua Tolles is a well-known competitor in the Tetris community, celebrated for his consistent performance in the Classic Tetris World Championship (CTWC), where he has secured a top-eight position five times, including a notable finish in 2019. To this day, Tolles continues to actively participate in both online and offline Tetris tournaments. Additionally, he has made significant contributions to the game through the creation of various Game Genie codes, such as the score cap code XNAOOK for the NES version of Tetris, as well as many others that alter game mechanics and difficulty levels to enhance the player experience.