Michael Artiaga Becomes First Player to Clear Level 255 in Tetris NES and Achieve 'Rebirth'

Michael 'dogplayingtetris' Artiaga Clears Level 255 and Sends it All the Way Back to the Beginning

The Tetris community has reached a significant milestone with 16-year-old Michael "dogplayingtetris" Artiaga, who has made history as the first player ever to clear level 255 and achieve what is known in the community as the mythical 'rebirth.' This remarkable achievement refers to the ability to reach the game's highest level and loop back to level 0, a feat believed to be impossible until recent advancements in gameplay techniques.

During his live stream, watched by thousands on Twitch, Artiaga cleared approximately 3,300 lines of blocks over a grueling 80-minute session. The challenges he faced were formidable, given that many players had tried and failed to reach this benchmark. Techniques like rolling and hypertapping have emerged in the Tetris scene, giving a new generation of players the tools they need to challenge established records.

It's worth mentioning that Artiaga played on a modified version of the Tetris NES ROM, which prevents it from crashing after crossing level 155. Earlier this year, another notable young player, Willis "Blue Scuti" Gibson, made headlines for being the first player to 'beat Tetris' by encountering one of the potential crashes at level 157. Gibson's achievement had excited the Tetris community, but the unforeseen crashes that compound beyond level 157 made clearing levels a monumental challenge.

Challenges on the Road to Level 255

Despite the adjusted ROM, Artiaga's achievement is no less impressive. According to sources, the NES version of Tetris contains a glitch at level 235, which demands an extraordinary 810 lines to clear. Artiaga dedicated a considerable 20 minutes to conquer this specific level, and his emotional exclamation of "I have seen the light!" upon completing it has resonated with Tetris enthusiasts.

Continuing Beyond the Rebirth

After successfully clearing level 255 and executing the 'rebirth', Artiaga amazed viewers by continuing his play, advancing all the way to level 91. By the end of his session, he had amassed a staggering final score of 29,486,164, smashing the previous world record held by player Alex Thach by over 12 million points. His accomplishment has set a new benchmark for the Tetris community and inspired numerous players.

"Oh my god, I'm so glad that game is over, bro," Artiaga shared after his monumental session. "I never want to play this game again, bro... I was starting to lose my mind." His candid feelings are an honest reflection of the intensity that Tetris can foster in even the most talented players.

Looking Towards the Future

Fans across social media have praised Artiaga’s extraordinary accomplishment. Many are not only celebrating the record of completing a 'rebirth' but also acknowledging that endless play is truly attainable. With this excitement, discussions have already begun surrounding who might achieve the first 'double rebirth'. Given the pace at which records are being set, it's entirely possible that another significant milestone could be reached soon.

As the Tetris community continues to evolve with new technology and techniques, players are left captivated by what the future may hold. In less than a year since Gibson's significant achievement of 'beating Tetris', the benchmark has already been set significantly higher, leaving many asking: what's next for Tetris enthusiasts?

Written by Kat Bailey, IGN's News Director and co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have tips or insights? Reach out @the_katbot.