Tetris 99 Cheats & Cheat Codes for Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Windows, and More

In 2019, Arika developed Tetris 99 and Nintendo published it for the Nintendo Switch. Tetris 99 is an updated version of Tetris, the classic puzzle video game first released in 1985. Most gamers and nongamers are familiar with some variation of Tetris. The simplistic puzzle game can be found online, as a mobile game, and usually across consoles and PCs. Many people enjoy Tetris‘ increasing challenge as the game goes on and view it as a great and convenient way to pass the time.

Admittedly, Tetris 99 is an odd take on the game, because it’s actually an online multiplayer battle royal puzzle game. Arika wanted to adapt this classic game for a modern audience. The game pits 99 players against one another and the last person standing wins, hence the 99 in the game’s name. Unfortunately, this modern rendition of Tetris is only available for the Nintendo Switch. The good news is, the game is completely free to play for Nintendo Switch Online members.

The reception of this game is surprisingly good despite its somewhat laughable concept. Over 90% of Google users claim to like the game. OpenCritic rates the game as Strong with an 83 Top Critic Average. Most identifiable gaming sites, like IGN, Metro GameCentral, Game Informer, and GameSpot rate the game at least a solid 8 out of 10, if not higher. Tetris 99 was even nominated for The Game Award for Best Multiplayer Game.

Tetris 99 Premise

The original Tetris is a simple puzzle game where blocks of different shapes and sizes (known as tetromino) fall from the top of the screen. Players need to slide and rotate the tetrominoes to fill in rows at the bottom of the screen. If they complete a row, they clear it, giving them more space for blocks to fall. If the tower of blocks reaches the top of the screen, it triggers a game over. Over time, the blocks fall more rapidly, forcing the player to stay on top of their game and react more quickly. Basically, this goes on until the player can’t clear any more blocks and they receive a game over. The goal of this game isn’t to “win” but to beat the previous high score.

Tetris 99 is more or less the same concept, except it’s put into a battle royal setting. Rather than a single player having complete control of the game, there are 99 players in each game. The goal is to knock out the rest of the players and be the last player standing to win the game. Tetris 99 plays by modern Tetris rules, meaning that mechanics like swapping out one style of tetromino for another are in effect. Each player has control of their own board. The more rows they clear, the more they can send “garbage” to other players to impede their progress. While playing, each player has small icons on either side of their Tetris block to see how other players in the match are doing, so they’ll know who to sabotage and who to leave alone.

Tetris 99 was released on February 13, 2019, and three months later, in May, it released a DLC (downloadable content) called the Big Block DLC. The Big Block DLC added four offline game modes including Marathon, which plays like classic Tetris. The DLC also offered CPU Battle, which plays like Tetris 99, but players get to play against 98 bots rather than real people. It also included Local Arena and Two Player Share Battle.

Outside of the puzzle gameplay, Tetris 99 has no story or hidden meanings. It’s just for people who love the challenge of Tetris with a few new ways to play.

Tetris 99 Main Characters

Tetris 99 doesn’t feature any characters. Players don’t play as a character, they just engage in the puzzles as themselves. That said, Tetris 99 does offer “Maximus Cup” events where players have a chance to compete for rewards in the My Nintendo loyalty program. The most recent Maximus Cup took place from November 9 (Thursday) 11:00 p.m. PT to November 13 (Monday) 10:59 p.m. PT. This was the 36th Maximus Cup, where players got to compete for a Super Mario RPG™ in-game theme. Although this Maxmius Cup has passed, these events do happen regularly, so check Nintendo.com often for updates.

Other Maximus Cups included rewards from games like:

• Splatoon 2
• Fire Emblem: Three Houses
• Super Kirby Clash
• Luigi’s Mansion 3
• Pokémon Sword & Shield
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons
• Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
• Monster Hunter: Rise

Tetris 99 Titles in the Series

The original Tetris was created in 1985 by Alexey Pajitnov. Since its original creation, it’s become one of the most infamous puzzle games of all time, leading to a lot of iterations of the game floating around. Some of these games actually belong to the Tetris empire, while others are recreations or knock-offs. Many official entries in the Tetris library are the original Tetris game bounced around between publishers for release in different areas and on different platforms.

• Tetris (Electronika 60) – 1985
• Tetris (IBM PC) – 1986
• Tetris (Mirrorsoft) – 1988
• Rowan Software – Mirrorsoft
• Tetris (Spectrum HoloByte) – 1988
• Tetris (BPS) – 1988
• Tetris (Famicom) – 1988
• Tetris (J-3100) – 1988
• Tetris (Sega) – 1988
• Tetris (Tandy) – 1988
• Vs. Tetris – 1988
• Bloxeed – 1989
• Flash Point – 1989
• Tetris (Atari) – 1989
• Tetris (Game Boy) – 1989
• Tetris (Mega-Tech) – 1989
• Tetris (NES, Nintendo) – 1989
• Tetris (NES, Tengen) – 1989
• Tetris (Sharp Wizard) – 1989
• Nintendo World Championships – 1990
• Tetris (Microsoft Entertainment Pack for Windows) – 1990
• Tetris Game Watch – 1990
• Tetris (Canon-J) – 1990
• Tetris (Rupo) – 1990
• Tetris (Oasys) – 1991
• Super Tetris – 1991
• Tetris 2 + Bombliss – 1991
• Tetris (NEC Mini5) – 1991
• Tetris (CD-i) – 1992
• Tetris Classic – 1992
• Super Tetris 2 + Bombliss – 1992
• Tetris Battle Gaiden – 1993
• Tetris Gold – 1993
• Tetris & Dr. Mario – 1994
• Super Tetris 2 + Bombliss: Gentei Han – 1994
• Super Tetris 3 – 1994
• V-Tetris – 1995
• Tetris Plus – 1996
• Tetris S – 1996
• Tetris X – 1996
• Tetris Jr. – 1996
• Tetris Box – 1996
• Tetris for Windows CE – 1997
• Tetris Plus 2 – 1997
• Magical Tetris Challenge (Tetris Adventure: Susume Mickey to Nakamatachi) – 1998
• TETRIS.com – 1998
• Tetris 4D – 1998
• Tetris 64 – 1998
• Tetris DX – 1998
• Tetris The Grand Master – 1998
• Kids Tetris – 1999
• Sega Tetris – 1999
• The New Tetris – 1999
• The Next Tetris DLX – 1999
• Tetris (Ericsson T28) – 1999
• In-Flight Tetris – 2000
• Pocket Tetris – 2000
• Nintendo Mini Classics Tetris – 2000
• Shockwave Tetris – 2000
• SuperLite 1500 Series: The Tetris – 2000
• The Next Tetris: Online Edition – 2000
• Tetris Challenge – 2000
• Tetris The Absolute The Grand Master 2 – 2000
• Tetris The Absolute The Grand Master 2 PLUS – 2000
• Tetris with Cardcaptor Sakura Eternal Heart – 2000
• Tetris (Radica) – 2000
• Tetris Classic (Pocket Express) – 2000
• N-Blox – 2001
• Groovin’ Tetris – 2001
• Mini Tetris – 2001
• Mini Tetris 2 – 2001
• Tetris (Dragon) – 2001
• Tetris for Zaurus – 2001
• Tetris Worlds – 2001
• Tetris Outdoor – 2001
• 3 min. Tetris – 2001
• Tetris Jr. III – 2002
• Big Screen Tetris – 2002
• Pokémon Tetris – 2002
• Tetris (WonderSwan Color) – 2002
• Tetris (yoomedia) – 2002
• Tetris Battle – 2002
• Tetris Blue – 2002
• Tetris Blue DX Version – 2002
• Tetris Red – 2002
• Tetris VS – 2002
• Tetris VS (Dragon) – 2002
• Tetris VS (Saru Banana) – 2002
• Tetris for PocketPC – 2002
• Minna no Soft Series: Tetris Advance – 2003
• Tetris (Blue Lava Wireless) – 2003
• Tetris (Free2Play) – 2003
• Tetris (GoPlayTV) – 2003
• Tetris 2002 – 2003
• Tetris Cascade – 2003
• Tetris Deluxe – 2003
• Tetris for Plus e – 2003
• Tetris Kiwamemichi – 2003
• Net Tetris – 2003
• Tetris for Palm – 2003
• Lighted Tetris – 2004
• Arcade Legends Tetris – 2004
• Tetris Elements – 2004
• Tetris Mission 2004 – 2004
• Tetris (Sky Gamestar) – 2004
• Tetris Tournament for Prizes – 2004
• Tetris Twin – 2004
• Tetris Worlds (Hangame) – 2005
• Tetris Mission 2005 – 2005
• Tetris The Grand Master 3 Terror-Instinct – 2005
• Tetris The Grand Master Ace – 2005
• Tetris (iPod) – 2006
• Family Tetris – 2006
• Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol.28 Tetris Collection – 2006
• Tetris Black – 2006
• Tetris (Handmark) – 2006
• Tetris DS – 2006
• Tetris Gold (Radica) – 2006
• Tetris Mania – 2006
• Tetris Mission 2006 – 2006
• Minna no Tetris – 2007
• Tetris 360 – 2007
• Tetris Color Screen – 2007
• Tetris Crystal – 2007
• Tetris Evolution – 2007
• Tetris Green – 2007
• Tetris Gold (G-Mode) – 2007
• Tetris Docomodake – 2007
• Tetris Mission 2008 – 2007
• Tetris Online (Japan) – 2007
• Tetris Splash – 2007
• Tetris Zone – 2007
• Tetris (EA Mobile) – 2007
• Arcade Bank 3 Minute Tetris – 2008
• Tetris (Electronic Arts) – 2008
• Tetris 1to3 – 2008
• Tetris Diamond – 2008
• Tetris Friends – 2008
• Minna de Tetris – 2008
• Tetris Kentei Ranking – 2008
• Tetris 2008 – 2008
• Tetris Party – 2008
• Tetris Pop – 2008
• Tetris (Hangame) – 2008
• Amagami Tetris – 2009
• Tetris (PlayStation Portable) – 2009
• Tetris DJ – 2009
• Tetris Giant – 2009
• Tetris League – 2009
• Tetris Mission 2009 – 2009
• Tetris Revolution – 2009
• Tetris 10×10 – 2009
• Tetris Stardust – 2009
• Tetris Time – 2009
• Tetris (PlayStation 3) – 2010
• Tetris Battle (Facebook) – 2010
• Tetris Kentei – 2010
• Tetris Walk – 2010
• Tetris Mission 2010 – 2010
• Tetris Party Deluxe – 2010
• Tetris Party Live – 2010
• Tetris TV – 2010
• Tetris Remix – 2010
• Tetris (Windows Phone) – 2010
• Tetris: Axis – 2011
• Tetris Stars – 2011
• Tetris 2011 – 2011
• Tetris (2011, Electronic Arts) – 2011
• Tetris Nano – 2011
• Tetris Illuminated Mega Screen – 2012
• Tetris (Amazon Fire TV) – 2013
• Tetris Blitz – 2013
• Tetris Monsters – 2013
• Tetris The Star – 2013
• Pocky Tetris – 2014
• Puyo Puyo Tetris – 2014
• Tetris (tetris.com) – 2014
• Tetris (Roku) – 2014
• Tetris Battle: Fusion – 2014
• Tetris Battle 2P – 2014
• Tetris Ultimate – 2014
• Tetris (Gametree TV) – 2015
• Tetris Battle Drop – 2016
• Tetris Burst – 2016
• Tetris Twist – 2016
• Tetris (Facebook Messenger) – 2017
• Tetris MicroCard – 2017
• Tetris (Retro-Bit Go Retro! Portable) – 2018
• Tetris (J2ME, Gameloft) – 2018
• Tetris Effect – 2018
• Arcade Classics Tetris – 2018
• Tetris Journey – 2019
• Tetris 99 – 2019
• Tetris Gems – 2019
• Tiny Arcade Tetris – 2019
• Micro Arcade Tetris – 2019
• Tetris (Mega Drive Mini) – 2019
• Tetris M1ND BEND3R – 2019
• Tetris (2020 mobile game) – 2020
• Tetris (CoolGames) – 2020
• Tetris Mini – 2020
• Tetris Clash – 2020
• Arcade Classics Tetris (2020) – 2020
• Tetris Tilt – 2020
• Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 – 2020
• Tetris Beat – 2021
• Tetris Keyring Arcade – 2022
• Tetris Arcade in a Tin – 2022
• Tetris Story – 2022
• Tetris E60 – 2023
• Tetris (McDonald’s) – 2023
• Tetris Go Gamer – 2023
• Tetris Pocket Player Pro – 2023

Tetris 99 Cheats

Nintendo is infamous for making sure that players can’t modify their consoles. Even streaming or recording your own gameplay requires the player to jailbreak their Nintendo Switch console. Jailbreaking the Nintendo Switch is a risky game to play because Nintendo cracks down hard on people who get caught doing this. For that reason, there isn’t really any official way to cheat in Tetris 99. There are no cheats, cheat codes, or exploits that will help a player win. Since Tetris 99 is an online competitive game, using such cheats wouldn’t just make the gameplay easier, it would give the player an unfair advantage over their opponents. We don’t recommend cheating in Tetris 99.

There are plenty of unlocks to work towards, though. Players can unlock Tetris 99 Invictus mode by winning a game of Tetris 99. Invictus mode will only pair up players who have won at least one game with other winners, therefore making the competitive play more challenging.

Players can also unlock plenty of player icons by completing the following challenges:

• Clear 10,000 lines in CPU or Tetris 99 battles
• Clear 80,000 lines in CPU or Tetris 99 battles
• Clear 150,000 lines in CPU or Tetris 99 battles
• Clear 100 lines via Tetrises in CPU or Tetris 99 battles
• Clear 500 lines via Tetrises in CPU or Tetris 99 battles
• Clear 1,000 lines via Tetrises in CPU or Tetris 99 battles
• Get a Max Combo of 2 ten times in CPU or Tetris 99 battles
• Get a Max Combo of 2 100 times in CPU or Tetris 99 battles
• Get a Max Combo of 2 500 times in CPU or Tetris 99 battles
• Do 10 T-Spins in CPU or Tetris 99 battles
• Do 100 T-Spins in CPU or Tetris 99 battles
• Do 500 T-Spins in CPU or Tetris 99 battles
• Get an All Clear in CPU or Tetris 99 battles
• Get 5 All Clears in CPU or Tetris 99 battles
• Get 20 All Clears in CPU or Tetris 99 battles
• Clear 150 Line Mode in Marathon
• Clear 999 Line Mode in Marathon
• Achieve Tetris Maximus in a Tetris 99 battle
• Achieve Tetris Maximus 5 times in Tetris 99 battles
• Achieve Tetris Maximus 15 times in Tetris 99 battles
• Get 10 KOs in Tetris 99 battles
• Get 100 KOs in Tetris 99 battles
• Get 500 KOs in Tetris 99 battles
• Finish in the Top 50 10 times in Tetris 99 battles
• Get 10 KOs in one Tetris 99 battle
• Send garbage 100 times while targeting KOs in Tetris 99 battles
• Send garbage 1,000 times while targeting KOs in Tetris 99 battles
• Send garbage 3,000 times while targeting KOs in Tetris 99 battles
• Send garbage 100 times while targeting Badges in Tetris 99 battles
• Send garbage 1,000 times while targeting Badges in Tetris 99 battles
• Send garbage 3,000 times while targeting Badges in Tetris 99 battles
• Send garbage 100 times while targeting Attackers in Tetris 99 battles
• Send garbage 1,000 times while targeting Attackers in Tetris 99 battles
• Send garbage 3,000 times while targeting Attackers in Tetris 99 battles
• Send garbage 100 times while targeting Random in Tetris 99 battles
• Send garbage 1,000 times while targeting Random in Tetris 99 battles
• Send garbage 3,000 times while targeting Random in Tetris 99 battles
• Send garbage to 5+ players at once while targeting Attackers in Tetris 99 battles
• Get the first KO in a Tetris 99 battle
• Get Tetris Maximus three times in a row
• Play Tetris 99 battles 9 times
• Play Tetris 99 battles 99 times
• Play Tetris 99 battles 999 times
• Send garbage 50 times in Tetris 99 battles, while being targeted by no one and while targeting Attackers
• Get Tetris Maximus while having 3 or fewer KOs
• Finish in the top 10 of a Tetris 99 battle three times without KOing anyone
• Receive 10 garbage lines in a Tetris 99 battle and escape from danger
• KO 10+ players with 0 KO Badges while you yourself have 2+ KO Badges in Tetris 99 battles
• Finish in the top 10 in a Tetris 99 battle while not using the Hold queue, doing T-Spins, or 
• Clear all * Missions
• Get 99 tickets
• Get 999 tickets
• Get Tetris Maximus 10 times against Level 5 CPUs in CPU battles
• Clear 150 Line Marathon after starting at Level 10 or higher
• Clear 999 Line Marathon in under 50 minutes
• Get in the Top 10 in Tetris 99 battles ten consecutive times
• Clear 200 lines in a Tetris 99 battle
• Get 10 Tetrises in a single Tetris 99 battle
• Execute 5 T-Spins in a single Tetris 99 battle
• Get a Max Combo of 15 in a Tetris 99 battle
• Get 3 All Clears in a Tetris 99 battle
• Get 10 Back-to-Bacls in a row in a Tetris 99 battle
• Clear 50 lines of garbage in a single Tetris 99 battle
• Use the Hold queue once in a Tetris 99 battle
• Use the hard drop once in a Tetris 99 battle
• Get Tetris Maximus 5 times while on Red Team in a Team Battle
• Get Tetris Maximus 5 times while on Blue Team in a Team Battle
• Get Tetris Maximus 5 times while on Green Team in a Team Battle
• Get Tetris Maximus 5 times while on Yellow Team in a Team Battle
• Play 20 Team Battles
• Play 200 Team Battles
• Get 100 KOs in Team Battles
• Get 500 KOs in Team Battles
• Do 300 Tetrises in Team Battles
• Get Tetris Maximus in a team battle while on a team of 35+ players
• Get Tetris Maximus 10 times in Team Battles on a team of 10 or fewer players
• Get Tetris Maximus while being the last remaining player in a Team Battle
• Get Tetris Maximus despite being KOed in a Team Battle five times
• Get 200 KOs in Team Battles while on the Red or Blue teams
• Get 200 KOs in Team Battles while on the Green or Yellow teams
• Get 4+ KOs against each opposing team in a single-team Battle
• Get 10+ KOs against the same team in a single-team Battle
• KO the final player of a team in a Team Battle
• In a Team Battle while targeting Attackers, attack players on all three opposing teams at once
• Get 2 KOs against players with 2+ KO Badges when you have less than 4 KO Badges in a Team Battle
• Get 4 KO Badges and get Tetris Maximus in three consecutive Team Battles
• Give or receive a total of 10 likes
• Give or receive a total of 30 likes
• Give or receive a total of 100 likes

Tetris 99 Cheat Codes FAQ

Is it possible to win Tetris 99?

Yes, if the player manages to keep their board in play longer than all other 98 players, they win the game.

How do you get knockouts in Tetris 99?

A player achieves a knockout if the garbage blocks they set on another player pushes them over the edge, resulting in a game over. If the player causes another player to receive a game over, they’ll be rewarded with the knockout.

How do you fast drop in Tetris 99?

The down button on the D-pad will force the bricks to fall faster. Don’t use this until you’re happy with the placement of the block.

Can you get gold points from Tetris 99?

Yes, players can sometimes receive gold points from Tetris 99. To achieve these, they’ll need to participate in Maximus Cups. Each Maximus Cup offers different rewards, though, so it may not always grant gold points.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©GameTrailers / Arika / Nintendo.