In the fallout of Tetris Ultimate releasing with bugs on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Tetris games are being pulled from the 3DS eShop at the end of the year.
The Game Boy version of Tetris on Nintendo #3DS will be removed from sale on Nintendo #eShop from 31/12/2014. pic.twitter.com/vQK3pSGs0r
— Nintendo UK (@NintendoUK) December 27, 2014
In specific, the games being removed are Tetris Axis and Tetris for Game Boy Virtual Console. Nintendo UK abruptly the Game Boy version’s pending removal on their Twitter account, but Nintendo nor The Tetris Company made the same press release for Tetris Axis. Both games were published by Nintendo themselves.
Suspicion is high that Ubisoft put pressure on either Nintendo, Tetris Company, or both for the move. There is also the possibility that Nintendo’s license is ending, but there is reason to believe otherwise.
Other versions of Tetris are available on other platforms, including browser based Tetris Battle, on Facebook, Tetris and Tetris Blitz on mobile, and even Tetris Party on WiiWare, essentially the only version of the game playable on Wii. Of course, this goes without saying, but Tetris Ultimate is also available on 3DS, and this version released without bugs.
None of the parties involved are obligated to explain the delisting, but if Ubisoft has nothing to do with it, it does their reputation no good to stay mum on the issue. As of right now, SoMa Play is still working on fixing certain issues with the game, as you can see in their updates page here.
Some of you may be thinking, like me, that Nintendo should just rerelease Tetris DS to please fans, but what do you think the Tetris Company should do in this situation? Could a revision of their licensing terms be in order? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.