Apple’s Unreleased iPod Tetris Game “Stacker” Uncovered After 20 Years

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TL;DR:

• A fully playable Tetris clone called “Stacker” was discovered on a prototype 3rd gen iPod from 2003
• Stacker let players control Tetris pieces using the iPod’s iconic clickwheel, delivering a unique spin on the classic puzzle game
• The prototype iPod revealed other unreleased apps and games like Block0, Chopper, and Klondike
• Apple ultimately didn’t release the Stacker iPod Tetris game, instead licensing an official Tetris game for iPod in 2006 developed by EA
• The find offers a rare peek into Apple’s creative process and abandoned prototypes

In the early 2000s, the iPod was a huge hit for Apple. These days, the discontinued iPod doesn’t make too many headlines. But in a surprising discovery, a fully playable Tetris clone called “Stacker” was discovered by YouTuber Apple Demo. The game was hidden on a prototype of the third-generation iPod from 2003. This remarkable find offers a glimpse into a game that Apple developed, but ultimately shelved to make way for an iPod game store.

Stacker: The Clickwheel-Controlled iPod Tetris Game

Stacker is an unmistakable ripoff homage to the timeless classic puzzle game, Tetris. However, its gameplay on the iPod prototype is very unique. Players would manipulate the falling Tetrimino shapes using the iPod’s click-wheel – rotating it clockwise or counterclockwise to shift pieces left or right, with the center button serving dual purposes of rotating and accelerating the descent.

While simple in concept, Stacker’s gameplay design was a clever way to use the iPod’s click-wheel, creating an experience tailored specifically for Apple’s popular music player.

How The Stacker Game Was Recently Discovered

The story of Stacker’s rediscovery begins with a non-functional third-generation iPod prototype, acquired by Apple Demo. After some resourceful tinkering, including swapping out the hard drive ribbon cable, Apple Demo was able to get the device to boot up, revealing a treasure trove of unreleased software.

Among the various applications and games present on the prototype, were the mysteriously named “Block0,” as well as the games “Chopper” and “Klondike.” But also on the iPod was a game called “Stacker”, which immediately caught the eye of Apple Demo.

A video showcasing the long-dormant game in action has sent ripples through the Apple community, reigniting curiosity about the company’s early ambitions for the iPod.

Tony Fadell “The Father Of The iPod” Comments on Stacker

After finding Stacker, Apple Demo reached out to Tony Fadell, the “father of the iPod”. Why was Stacker made and never released? Fadell’s response was somewhat anticlimactic, yet revealing:

“Because we added games with later software releases.”

Tony Fadell

It appears that while Stacker demonstrated Apple’s willingness to experiment with gaming experiences on the iPod, the company ultimately opted for a different approach. In 2006, three years after the third-generation iPod’s release, Apple officially licensed and released a dedicated Tetris game developed by Electronic Arts, which offered a more polished and faithful recreation of the original.

But some users on the Internet have another theory on why Apple never released this iPod Tetris game…. licensing rights. “I wonder if Apple tried to get the Tetris license, and ultimately failed and decided to cancel this game,” theorized YouTube user Brian Voll. “This port clearly isn’t a finished game.”

Even though Apple is a software company, ultimately, it made more business sense for them to focus on creating a storefront and not games. The iPod Click Wheel Game Store was a good test for Apple that led them to later create the hugely successful Apple App Store.

A Rare Peek Behind the Curtain

The recent discovery of Stacker is a reminder of the countless ideas, prototypes, and experiments that never make it past the walls of Apple’s notoriously secretive design labs. While the game itself may have been a modest endeavor, its existence speaks volumes about the creative process that fuels Apple’s relentless pursuit of innovation.

For those lucky few who have played Stacker, we are very jealous.

You see more cool videos and content from find Apple Demo at @AppleDemo on Twitter (currently called X) and AppleDemo on YouTube.

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