Prepare to have the Tetris song stuck in your head for the rest of the day because the block-matching puzzle game is now available on a brand new platform: Facebook Messenger.
Originally released in 1984 by Russian game designer Alexey Pajitnov, Tetris has had many homes, from arcades to computers to Game Boys to phones. But Messenger's Instant Games feature adds a new layer to the classic game: competing with friends.
A press release from the company announced the launch today, describing new features to the game like high-score leaderboards and "daily missions." Missions include score goals or specific tasks in a game, such as "10 single line clears," for which users can then collect points to level up.
Tetris is just the latest time-waster available on Facebook to people who should be working (such as this reporter, who spent 15 minutes on the app "researching" this story). The company launched Instant Games a year ago, enticing users to spend more time on Messenger with more than 50 games, both old and new. Here are just a few that will really suck up your day.
1. Galaga
Who doesn't love Galaga? Messenger's version of the arcade staple gives you just one life for shorter sessions, so it's great for those slightly-longer-than-acceptable-but-probably-no-one-will-question-it bathroom breaks.
2. Words With Friends
The social media version of Scrabble, perfect for tricking yourself into believing your sharpening your vocabulary, when actually you're just testing random combinations of letters.
3. Hex FRVR
It's like Tetris but more chill, so it's easy to pick right back up again if you have to hide your phone as your boss walks by.
4. Space Invaders
Everyone knows and loves Space Invaders. If your boss catches you at this, he or she will probably just ask for an invite on the app.
5. Endless Lake
A Temple Run-esque game that's addicting but frustrating. So try to transform your screams of rage into coughs if you can.
6. Pac-Man
Oh, this could go on for hours. Pac-Man is the ultimate addicting game—the only drawback is the controls on this version are hard to use in the Messenger app. But maybe that's for the best. After all, you should get some work done.
7. Chess
For all you nerds out there, you can challenge your Facebook friends to a game of chess. It's just one move at a time, so it's easy to get away with at work!
8. 8 Ball Pool
For the slightly cooler, but still not that cool, nerds to play together.
9. Bingo
Perfect for the grandparents stuck at their grandchildren's sporting event.
All these time-wasting games can be found by click on the game controller icon when you open a Facebook message to someone. (Or you can send a message to yourself to play solo!)
Uncommon Knowledge
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Anna is a Newsweek culture writer based in New York City. Previously she was a Film/TV writer at Elite Daily and an ... Read more
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