Pixel Melodies

Behind the falling blocks of Tetris lies one of the most recognizable melodies in video game history. With balalaika player Nicolas Kedroff, Max Dozolme traces the Russian origins of the game's famous theme and reveals how the 19th-century folk song Korobeiniki became one of the most iconic tunes in gaming. Originally from the Soviet Union, Tetris was one of the defining video games of the 1980s. When Nintendo released the game internationally, Korobeiniki became closely associated with its fast-paced gameplay. Traditionally performed with an accelerating tempo, the melody perfectly mirrors the increasing speed and intensity of Tetris, making it an inseparable part of the game's enduring legacy.