I Built Tetris in Python from Scratch (Pygame Beginner Tutorial)
You want to build a classic game like Tetris. You know Python basics but need a project to level up. I did just that. I coded Tetris using Pygame. It runs smoothly. You control pieces, score points, and restart after game over. Follow along. You’ll end up with working code.
Python stays popular. In 2025, it claimed 23.28% of the TIOBE index share. Game development with Python grows too. Mobile gaming surges in 2025 trends. Beginners pick Pygame for simple 2D games. Over 30,000 developers surveyed in 2025 use Python for fun projects like this.
Al Sweigart says, “Just like how Python comes with several modules like random, math, or time that provide additional functions for you to use, Pygame is a module that provides tons of functions that assist you in making games.” That fits here. You focus on logic, not low-level details.
Jesse Schell notes, “The player’s the boss; it’s your duty to entertain him or her.” Keep that in mind. Make your game fun.
Why Build Tetris in Python?
You learn loops, classes, and event handling. Tetris teaches collision detection and grid management. I built it to practice. You can too. It takes a few hours.
Benefits for Beginners
You see immediate results. Run the code, play the game. Fix bugs fast. Python’s simplicity helps. No complex setups.
Current Trends in Game Dev
In 2025, Python engines like Pygame thrive for indie devs. Cloud gaming rises, but start local. You build skills for bigger projects.
Setting Up Your Environment
Install Python first. Download from the official site. Then add Pygame.
Installing Python and Pygame
Go to python.org. Grab the latest version. Run the installer. Check “Add to PATH.”
Open your terminal. Type pip install pygame. Done. Test it. Import pygame in a script. No errors? Good.
For help, check the Pygame docs.
Defining Constants and Colors
Start simple. Set grid size. Use 10 wide, 20 high. Cells at 30 pixels.
Colors and Shapes
Pick colors for pieces. Cyan for I, yellow for O. Define shapes as lists. Each rotation variant.
I used dictionaries for TETROMINOES and colors.
# Tetromino shapes
TETROMINOES = {
'I': [['.....',
'..#..',
'..#..',
'..#..',
'..#..'],
['.....',
'.....',
'####.',
'.....',
'.....']],
'O': [['.....',
'.....',
'.##..',
'.##..',
'.....']],
'T': [['.....',
'.....',
'.#...',
'###..',
'.....'],
['.....',
'.....',
'.#...',
'.##..',
'.#...'],
['.....',
'.....',
'.....',
'###..',
'.#...'],
['.....',
'.....',
'.#...',
'##...',
'.#...']],
'S': [['.....',
'.....',
'.##..',
'##...',
'.....'],
['.....',
'.#...',
'.##..',
'..#..',
'.....']],
'Z': [['.....',
'.....',
'##...',
'.##..',
'.....'],
['.....',
'..#..',
'.##..',
'.#...',
'.....']],
'J': [['.....',
'.#...',
'.#...',
'##...',
'.....'],
['.....',
'.....',
'#....',
'###..',
'.....'],
['.....',
'.##..',
'.#...',
'.#...',
'.....'],
['.....',
'.....',
'###..',
'..#..',
'.....']],
'L': [['.....',
'..#..',
'..#..',
'.##..',
'.....'],
['.....',
'.....',
'###..',
'#....',
'.....'],
['.....',
'##...',
'.#...',
'.#...',
'.....'],
['.....',
'.....',
'..#..',
'###..',
'.....']]
}
Creating the Tetromino Class
Pieces need position, rotation, and cells.
You can watch our YouTube Video for a detailed Tutorial
Piece Movement
Class holds x, y, shape, and color. Get cells from the current rotation.
Rotation Logic
Cycle through rotations. Check if valid before applying.
Building the Tetris Game Logic
Core class handles grid, pieces, and score.
Initializing the Game
Create an empty grid. Black cells. New current and next piece. Set score to zero.
Handling Movement and Rotation
Move left, right, down. Rotate up key. Validate positions. No overlap or out of bounds.
Dropping and Placing Pieces
Drop every 500 ms. Adjust for level. Place when hits bottom. Clear full lines.
Scoring and Leveling Up
Score based on lines cleared. 40 for one, up to 1200 for four. Level up every 10 lines. Speed increases.
Drawing the Game
Use Pygame to render.
Grid and Cells
Draw lines for the grid. Fill cells with colors.
Pieces and Stats
Draw the current piece. Show the next piece aside. Display score, lines, and level.
External link: See Pygame drawing examples at https://www.pygame.org/docs/ref/draw.html
The Main Game Loop
Run at 60 FPS. Handle events. Update fall time. Drop piece.
User Input
Keys for move, rotate, and hard drop with space.
Game Over Handling
If a new piece can’t place, game over. Show message. R to restart, Q to quit.
Full Code and Running It
Download the Full code and run it.
Tweak as you like. Add sounds later. See our audio in the Pygame guide.
Link to adding sounds in Pygame
External link: For more projects, visit https://realpython.com/tutorials/games/
FAQ
How do I install Pygame for Tetris?
Run pip install pygame in your terminal after Python setup.
What version of Python works with Pygame?
Python 3.8 or higher. Check compatibility on pygame.org.
Can I build Tetris without Pygame?
Yes, use Tkinter or console. But Pygame handles graphics better.
How to fix common errors in Pygame Tetris code?
Check imports. Ensure no indentation issues. Run in IDE for traces.
Is Pygame good for beginner game devs?
Yes. It simplifies drawing and inputs.
How to add multiplayer to Python Tetris?
Use sockets. But start single player first.
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