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I’ve Spent Several Hours in the Bizarre and Exciting World of Retro Soviet Video Games. I’m Still Recovering

This list naturally includes Tetris but also a selection of abstract puzzles and underground propaganda.

Retro Game
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John Tones

Writer

I've been writing about culture for twenty-something years and, at Xataka, I cover everything related to movies, video games, TV shows, comics and pop culture. LinkedIn

Many will agree that Tetris is one of the most famous video games in history–perhaps even the most famous. It was created in the 1980s by Soviet software Alexey Pajitnov. While its history and rules are well known, they only scratch the surface of an intriguing scene: the development of video games in the USSR during that decade.

A quick look at Soviet arcade machines gives insight into the USSR’s video game industry at the time, which was largely self-contained. It received little aesthetic and technological influence from abroad, evolving at its own pace, shaped by national rhythms and unique obsessions. For example, the games often reflected government-approved themes, including pseudo-military training (ranging from astronautics to armed infantry), national folklore, and the emphasis on sports prowess. They were similar to Western games but much more sober and martial.

There was a brief and belated introduction of Game & Watch clones, which mirrored those released worldwide. Under the brand name Elektronika, these clones shamelessly plagiarized titles that had succeeded in other formats, often featuring popular animated characters in the Soviet Union.

Domestic video games gained popularity throughout the 1980s and 1990s despite the scarcity of locally manufactured machines. As a result, unofficial hardware clones, such as the Dendy (a Taiwanese clone of the NES) and the Kvant-BX (a Russian clone of the Spectrum with a distinctive design), played a significant role. Interestingly, the Atari consoles arrived in the USSR in their original format but many years after their success in the U.S.

In this context, studios and independent developers began to emerge. They created games of various kinds, from clones of Western hits to some of the most intricate, addictive, and enigmatic puzzles. It’s no surprise that this genre thrived in the Soviet Union and that the most famous puzzle in history originated from the country.

The puzzles’ abstract nature allowed them to function without propagandistic elements. However, their intellectual challenge served a secondary purpose: to train future geniuses in mathematics and science who would bring glory to the Soviet homeland in the years to come. As such, these games were also propaganda vehicles in their own way.

To celebrate this fascinating chapter in video game history, I’ve played several titles produced in the USSR some years ago. How do they stand the test of time?

Tetris (1984)

Tetris

Naturally, I couldn’t start with any other game. Instead of focusing on the popular arcade version or titles for home consoles like the Game Boy, I decided to explore the original Tetris from 1984. This emulation captures the raw experience of playing on the DVK-2 computer, where the game originally ran, including the classic key mashing. The fact that this experience is just as fun and addictive as the more sophisticated recent versions of the classic game is a testament to the timeless perfection of the concept.

The original version of Tetris lacks some details that became iconic later on, such as the satisfying flickering of pieces as they disappear, which reinforces the feeling of progress. However, the core elements are all present. These include the brilliant design of the tetriminos and the ability to plan strategies with the upcoming pieces. Also present is the intuitive gameplay that evolves as the game progresses.

Welltris (1989)

The next logical step from here was Welltris, Pajitnov’s 3D version of his hit game. I was fortunate to have played this same DOS version back in the day, so I was familiar with its chaotic controls and bold concept. While it strays far from the simple brilliance of the original game, the sequel still holds its own with a highly complex concept and multiple layers of enjoyment. This is highlighted by the ingenious detail of pieces crossing the floor as they fall. It’s a clever touch that adds to the game’s appeal.

Discent (1989)

Discent

The Radio-86RK was a home computer that you could assemble yourself. It was introduced in 1986 through a magazine called Radio, which catered to electronics enthusiasts. The magazine featured a series of articles about electrical circuitry. This included everything you needed to know to build your own computer at home, such as how to connect 29 chips and construct a keyboard. It was a true challenge.

The result was a series of video games with gameplay that bordered on the unmanageable. You can see it for yourself in an emulated game on the rk86.ru website. However, there are exceptions, like the claustrophobic Discent, which plunges players into an abyss of abstract graphics and rapid pace.

Perestroika (1989)

Perestroika is a captivating MS-DOS game that can still be played online. It was released during a time when new democrats and old Soviet bureaucrats were clashing in the Russian parliament. The game’s narrative becomes a dark metaphor for this political strife.

It features a frog that must hop across the screen from lily pad to lily pad before they sink. Although the splash screen and the title provide the clearest allusions to the Russian reality at the time, Perestroika’s gameplay symbolizes the ever-changing political landscape.

In addition, the game’s simplicity and fast-paced gameplay make it an infectious and thrilling gem.

Beholder (2016)

Finally, Beholder is a more recent cult game that presents a particularly disturbing edge despite being released in 2016. Developers Warm Lamp Games define it as a snitch simulator.

Players take on the role of residents in a building full of apartments. In exchange for money, they can spy on and report their neighbors to the authorities, which allows them to rise within the oppressive police state in which they live. The moral decisions made in the game are entirely up to the player, leading to feelings of discomfort and a sense of being a bad person.

This list is inevitably incomplete. There’s much more to explore, from the Doom clones to the more recent propagandistic ventures in the strategy genre. The limited means of communication and the opacity of information make media from that country a surprising source of intrigue.

Image | ELLA DON

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