Willis Gibson, 13, from Oklahoma, made history as the first known individual to conquer the original Nintendo version of Tetris, reaching an unprecedented level 157 where the game succumbed to its own limitations, a feat previously attributed only to AI. Gibson’s 39-minute triumph surpassed all expectations, reaching the famed “kill screen” with a maxed-out score of 999999, though he claims his final score was an astounding 6.8 million.
Having delved into Tetris tournaments since 2021 and securing a third-place spot at the Classic Tetris World Championship, Gibson attributes his fascination with the game to its simple yet challenging mechanics.
The iconic Tetris, created by Soviet engineer Alexey Pajitnov in 1985 and released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989, has sold over 520 million units worldwide, solidifying its place among the top-selling games in history.
Willis Gibson, who dedicates this record-setting win to his late father, Adam Gibson, revealed his dedication to the game, often playing for three to five hours daily since he was 11. His unprecedented achievement underscores the enduring appeal and timeless challenge of Tetris, captivating gamers for generations.
