Tetris is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of esports. Not to mention NES Tetris on original hardware. Nonetheless, a new Classic Tetris World Champion (CTWC) will be crowned this weekend at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo, and it’s likely to be the most hotly contested, highest-viewed tournament in the game’s nearly 35-year history.
Classic Tetris has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, but it is at a crossroads. It must either professionalize or accept its fate as an intriguing, albeit cozy, corner of the gaming world.
The annual event in Portland remains the game’s most prestigious tournament, but Classic Tetris fans can be found at CTM – Classic Tetris Monthly – a more informal, but arguably more important, competition for the game during the rest of the year.
