Tetris Friends was an online Tetris game developed by Tetris Online, Inc. Registered users were able to compare their scores with their friends and with the entire community. It was the only official Flash implementation of Tetris made by the Tetris company itself. At the time, it was also the only official Tetris platform that had advertisements play before a match. Tetris Friends had over a million registered users.
Tetris Friends featured six single-player modes and five multiplayer modes. Playing any game mode gave a user Tokens. They could be used to unlock new skins and Tetrimino styles, although a premium "ruby" currency also existed. The version available on Facebook [known as Tetris Battle] only had four of the modes available on the official website and contained had no coin system, but featured a special mode.
All game modes except Tetris 1989 and N-Blox used the SRS rotational system, featured the hold function which allowed players to save a block for future use, and had a quad-Tetrimino preview that allows players to see the next few upcoming blocks.
Tetris Online, Inc ceased all operations on May 30, 2019. As such, Tetris Friends permanently shut down on that date.
Game Modes
Single Player
Marathon
In Marathon Mode, players have to clear a specified number of lines while trying to score as many points as possible. Clearing multiple lines with one piece is worth more than the actual number cleared. For instance, clearing a single line is worth only one, while clearing four lines with a single piece is worth eight lines. Once the goal has been reached, the level and speed increases and a new, higher goal is set. There are fifteen levels in total. The game ends once level fifteen is completed, and the score is recorded and added to the high score list if the user has a registered account.
Sprint
Sprint Mode requires players to clear forty lines as quickly as possible. The time required to clear all the lines is recorded as the score. The speed is automatically set to the lowest setting.
Ultra
Ultra Mode challenges players to score as many points as possible in two minutes. Clearing multiple lines with a single piece scores more points. Special moves called t-spins are also worth extra points. If the player loses by reaching the top, the score does not count and is not recorded in the high score list.
Survival
Survival Mode is similar to Marathon Mode. Players have to clear ten lines per level while scoring as many points as possible. Every line cleared is worth only one, unlike in Marathon Mode. There are a total of twenty levels, each one at a higher speed than the last. Once all twenty levels are beaten, the player enters the bonus level. The bonus level is a semi-invisible level. Blocks alternate between being visible and invisible. The blocks are invisible for increasing longer time periods as the level progresses. There is no limit on how many lines the player can clear, and the player only loses when the blocks reach the top of the field. This game mode is not available on the Facebook version.
Tetris 1989
This mode attempts to simulate the classic Game Boy version of Tetris. There are two modes within this game. Mode A challenges players to clear as many lines as possible. Once certain goals are reached, the speed increases. Mode B requires players to clear a specified number of lines. These are similar to other game modes, but the rotational system of the blocks is slightly different, and there is no hold feature, making this mode more difficult. This game mode is not available on the Facebook version.
N-Blox
N-Blox mode is developed by British web designer Paul Neave. It does not use many of the new features such as the hold function and the four block preview. Players are also not allowed to change the keyboard controls, which they can in every other mode. The goal is to score as many points as possible. The speed increases after a certain number of lines are cleared. This is similar to other standard Tetris modes available in other games. This mode is not available on the Facebook version.
BlockStar
This mode is similar to the N-Blox and Tetris 1989 modes. There are no hold pieces, ghost pieces, or four piece preview. The game is endless and challenges players to achieve the high score. This game is a remake of the first Tetris game that was released on Facebook. It is only available to play on Facebook, and is not found on the Tetris Friends website.