25 essential video games every gamer should know

2. Tetris

Tetris is the best selling video game of all time, and like many on this list, an iconic classic staple in the video game industry. It’s been ported to every possible platform including graphics calculators, iPods, mobile phones, and other untraditional gaming platforms. There have even been scientific studies to examine the mental effect playing Tetris for prolonged periods of time has on the human brain, particularly with amnesiac patients.

The premise of the game is simple: different shapes will descend one at a time from the top of the screen and players will move and rotate them to fit them together. Once a horizontal line is filled with blocks it will disappear. The game gradually speeds up, requiring players to think faster as the game progresses. The blocks are called Tetriminos and if a player clears five lines all at once, it’s called a Tetris.

An upcoming version of the game from the creator of Rez called Tetris Effect combines the classic game with stunning audio and visual. The game will have 4K support as well as VR support for a truly zen-like immersive experience. Tetris Effect doesn’t have a specific official release date yet but it’s been announced for sometime this Fall.