Rubik's Tetris Marks First Meeting of Puzzle Legends

The creators of Tetris and the Rubik's Cube have met in person for the first time, with Bandai-owned toy maker Megahouse releasing a special interview video to mark the occasion. Alexey Pajitnov and Ernő Rubik met for the first time in December 2025 at Spain's OXO Video Game Museum. During the meeting, the two creators discussed the origins of Tetris and the Rubik's Cube, along with the lasting appeal of puzzle games that have captivated millions worldwide.

The meeting accompanies the release of Rubik's Tetris, a collaborative puzzle that combines the two franchises. Unlike a traditional 3×3 Rubik's Cube, the objective is to twist the cube until all six classic Tetriminos are restored instead of matching solid-colored faces.

Tetris and Rubik's Cube Creators Discuss the Ideas Behind Their Inventions

The interview opens with Pajitnov saying he had been "obsessed for years with the Cube" and had long wanted to meet Rubik.

The pair first greeted each other at a café before discussing how their puzzles evolved. Rubik explained that his original concept was a 2×2 cube before it became the now-iconic 3×3 version. Meanwhile, Pajitnov remarked that players quickly understand Tetris and suggested the Cube is even easier to grasp.

The conversation also includes lighter moments, with Pajitnov asking Rubik to take a selfie, joking that otherwise “my wife will kill me." Near the end of the interview, Pajitnov called the Rubik's Cube one of the objects he would send into space as evidence of human civilization.

When asked whether Tetris would join that list, he paused before giving an uncertain response.

The release follows renewed attention for the Tetris franchise after Digital Eclipse launched Tetris Forever in late 2024. The interactive museum collection features archival material, classic Tetris titles, and a recreation of Pajitnov's original Electronika 60 version. VGC later described the release as the definitive retelling of the series' history.

The release of Rubik's Tetris and the publication of the inventors' first recorded meeting come as both franchises continue to expand beyond their original formats. According to The Tetris Company, the Tetris franchise has surpassed 520M units sold worldwide, and billions of games are played online each year. The Rubik's Cube, meanwhile, has sold an estimated 500M units globally since its debut, placing both franchises among the world's most successful and enduring puzzle brands.

Recent initiatives such as Tetris Forever, Red Bull Tetris World Final at Dubai Frame, and the new Rubik's Tetris collaboration show how both brands continue to reach new audiences decades after their debut. Their first public conversation reflects the enduring influence of two puzzle creations that remain relevant across toys, education, gaming, and popular culture.