Tetris 'Minuet' for Game Boy: The Rare Japanese Edition Explained

Tetris 'Minuet' for Game Boy: The Rare Japanese Edition Explained When it comes to video game icons, few titles have left as indelible a mark as Tetris.

Originally designed by Alexey Pajitnov in 1984, the puzzle game became a worldwide phenomenon after its legendary arrival on the Nintendo Game Boy in 1989.

Critical to this success was Henk Rogers, whose efforts not only brought Tetris to global audiences but also led to the foundation of The Tetris Company in 1996.

For decades, Rogers has overseen the brand’s evolution as its exclusive licensor.

Yet, as a recent interview reveals, even the stewards of Tetris history can encounter surprises hidden within the game’s rich legacy. In a video conversation with YouTuber Elliot Coll, Rogers was presented with a lesser-known version of Tetris for the Nintendo Game Boy, known among collectors as the "Minuet" edition or version 1.0.

This early variant holds a unique place in Tetris lore, as it was exclusively released in Japan and sold in a highly limited retail run, estimated at around 25,000 copies.

The scarcity and distinctiveness of the Minuet version have made it a prized item in the international collector’s market. One of the notable differences of the Minuet edition lies in its audio design.

Unlike the widely recognized international release, which features Hirokazu "Chip" Tanaka’s adaptation of the Russian folk tune "Korobeiniki" as the Type-A theme, the Minuet version offers an entirely different melody.

The variant also features design quirks, including packaging and manual details such as the omission of a hyphen in the name "Bullet-Proof Software," which is reflected on both the game’s manual and the in-game copyright screen. Despite his deep ties to the Tetris franchise, Henk Rogers admitted during the interview that he was unaware of the Minuet variant’s existence.

Since Tetris for Game Boy was developed by Nintendo’s R&D1 team and not directly by Bullet-Proof Software, Rogers wasn’t involved with this particular version’s release.

Upon closer inspection, though, he was quick to note the copyright discrepancy, humorously remarking that it was precisely the sort of issue he would have raised had he been involved at the time. Collectors and Tetris historians continue to seek out additional information and copies of the Minuet release, with community efforts documented in several videos and articles by Elliot Coll.

As one of the rarest official Tetris game cartridge variations for the Nintendo Game Boy, the Minuet edition stands as a testament to the rich and complex history of the franchise in Japan and worldwide. This unique chapter in the legacy of Tetris underlines the continual discoveries that even industry veterans encounter, enhancing appreciation for one of gaming’s most enduring classics.

For those passionate about video game preservation, the story of Tetris Minuet is yet another reason to celebrate both Nintendo’s and The Tetris Company’s impact on the industry.

Tetris Henk Rogers Game Boy Rare