Astronaut’s Journey to Outer Space with Game Boy and Tetris
The First Person to Enjoy a Video Game in Outer Space
Aleksandr Serebrov, a renowned astronaut, made history in 1993 by becoming the first person to play a video game in outer space. On July 1, 1993, he embarked on the Soyuz TM-17 mission, where he had the unique idea to bring his Game Boy along with a copy of Tetris, a classic 1989 edition.
A Game Boy with Tetris: A Journey to Outer Space
As a cosmonaut, Aleksandr spent part of his free time enjoying the game, as reported by the author himself. The game was a reflection of the written testimony that the cosmonaut left in a written note that was sold along with the Game Boy at an auction in 2011. In it, he said, "Like all cosmonauts, I love sports. My favorites are soccer and swimming. During the flight, in the rare minutes of leisure, I enjoyed playing Game Boy."
The Auction of the Game Boy and Tetris
The Game Boy and Tetris, which had traveled to outer space, were sold at an auction in 2011. The buyer paid $1,1120 for the console, a curious story that highlights the unique experience of an astronaut bringing his favorite console to outer space.
Game Boy and Tetris: A Special Record
Aleksandr’s case is special because he was the first astronaut in history to do something similar, bringing with him several other records. Two very curious ones that are not usually taken into account, since the reality is that few take into account that Game Boy and Tetris also traveled to space… just over 30 years ago.
Edited Cover Photo
NASA POT in Unsplash
