A 13-Year-Old Streamer Breaks 3 World Records in Classic Tetris
Blue Scuti, a 13-year-old streamer, made history by becoming the first human to beat the classic game of Tetris on NES. During a semifinal match for the 2023 Classic Tetris World Championship (CTWC), Blue Scuti broke 3 world records, which included the monumental accomplishment of beating the unbeatable game. The full video of this remarkable feat has been posted onto his YouTube channel for all to see.
The Unbeatable Game
It may seem amusing to think that a 34-year-old game had never been beaten, but that was indeed the case with Tetris (or Classic Tetris) on the NES. Players would play the game until they reached the 29th level, at which point pieces would fall so fast that it seemed impossible to keep up. This led to the game being genuinely considered unbeatable, with only an AI managing to beat it, until Blue Scuti came onto the scene.
A Winning Strategy
Blue Scuti’s winning strategy was a culmination of the techniques that younger players have been developing in recent years. Strategies like “hypertapping” and “rolling” emerged in 2016 and 2020 respectively, allowing players to operate the NES controller even faster than using the buttons by tapping the underside of the controller. By 2022, most CTWC players used some version of these strategies, demonstrating the evolution of gameplay tactics.
A Historic Victory
In the 38-minute video, viewers can witness Blue Scuti becoming more and more tense as he advances through the levels. After making a great save, he reaches the game’s frozen screen, signaling victory, and ecstatically exclaims “oh my god” while removing his gloves. Overwhelmed by the moment, he mentions that his hands feel tingly and that he can’t feel them, a clear sign of the intense emotions and physical strain of the game.
Reflecting on the Moment
In a post-game interview with streamer ITZsharky, Blue Scuti describes the nerves he felt after playing for 30 minutes, emphasizing the pressure of “still managing to hit the 5 taps.” He adds, “You miss one 5 tap and the run can end,” highlighting the precision and skill required to achieve this historic feat.
This victory has made Tetris history, cementing Blue Scuti’s place in the annals of classic gaming achievements.