History YMMV / TetrisTheGrandMaster

* CultClassic: Although the series is known through memetic videos at best outside of Japan, it does have a small dedicated following in the West. This seems to be changing in 2015, as demonstrations of it at WebVideo/AwesomeGamesDoneQuick have helped bring more exposure to Western gamers. In Japan, the [=Pier21=] arcade in Kodaira maintains a dedicated set of ''TGM'' setups, with periodic competitions still being held for the games over 15 years after the original ''TGM'' was released.

* MemeticMutation: Drift-compatible[[labelnote:Explanation]]''TAP'' in Doubles Mode requires a very strong degree of cooperation between both players, leading to jokes, especially during Doubles exhibitions on WebVideo/AwesomeGamesDoneQuick where people make jokes about the players being "Drift-compatible", a reference to the mind-linked HumongousMecha pilots in ''Film/PacificRim''.[[/labelnote]]

* CrowningMusicOfAwesome: Even if most of these games lack "Korobeiniki", they still have some pretty awesome music.
** ''TGM ACE'' has an awesome remix of "Katyusha", heard only in [[MarathonLevel Another Road]].

* MostWonderfulSound: The grade-increase sound. ''Daaaa dadada daaaaa!''

* TheyCopiedItNowItSucks: The sentiment Ichiro Mihara, the lead developer had to the clones of this very game, which led to him stopping development.

* FriendlyFandoms: You can expect a lot of TGM players to also be {{Bemani}} or {{shmup}} players, most likely because all three of these comprise challenging skill-based single-player arcade games.

* SignatureScene: The "invisible roll" in the second and third games that are triggered by fulfilling certain difficult criteria.

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: [=TGM4=]'s version of the Arika Rotation System would have had, instead of step reset (in which the timer for a piece locking resets only on a piece moving down), use move reset (in which you only need to move the piece). This has not sat well with some fans.
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'''[[OhCrap REGRET!!]]'''
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** For many players, Easy mode in ''Ti''. Not for [[ItsEasySoItSucks easily-guessable reasons]], but because the mechanics behind the ''hanabi'' (fireworks) scoring system are [[GuideDangIt needlessly complicated]][[note]]While Master mode does have a bit of a system behind it too, at least it's more straightforward and can be summarized as "make Tetrises or at least multi-line clears a lot and don't play too slowly"[[/note]] and, from what players can make out, emphasize non-typical stacking strategies to score huge combos rather than just making Tetrises all day.

* ContestedSequel: Fans are split over whether ''[=TGM3=]'' is an improvment upon ''TAP'' with its improved Arika Rotation System (specifically, the new "floor kick" added to the I-piece to make it easier to rotate when in 20G and the piece is horizontal), or FakeDifficulty: The Game due to the COOL system resulting in an unreasonably fast speed curve and the Easy mode having unintuitive and [[GuideDangIt guide-requiring]] scoring mechanics

* FriendlyFandoms: You can expect a lot of TGM players to also be {{Bemani}} or {{shmup}} players, most likely because all three of these comprise challenging skill-based arcade games.

** For many players, Easy mode in ''Ti''. Not for [[ItsEasySoItSucks easily-guessable reasons]], but because the mechanics behind the ''hanabi'' (fireworks) scoring system are [[GuideDangIt needlessly complicated]][[note]]While Master mode does have a bit of a system behind it too, at least it's more straightforward and can be summarized as "make Tetrises or at least multi-line clears a lot and don't play too slowly"[[/note]]. and, from what players can make out, emphasize non-typical stacking strategies to score huge combos rather than just making Tetrises all day.

** For many players, Easy mode in ''Ti''. Not for [[ItsEasySoItSucks easily-guessable reasons]], but because the mechanics behind the ''hanabi'' (fireworks) scoring system are [[GuideDangIt needlessly complicated]][[note]]While Master mode does have a bit of a system behind it too, at least it's more straightforward and can be summarized as "make Tetrises or at least multi-line clears a lot and don't play too slowly"[[/note]]. and, from what players can make out, emphasize non-typical stacking strategies to score hug combos rather than just making Tetrises all day.

** For many players, Easy mode in ''Ti''. Not for [[ItsEasySoItSucks easily-guessable reasons]], but because the mechanics behind the ''hanabi'' (fireworks) scoring system are needlessly complicated and, from what players can make out, emphasize non-typical stacking strategies to score hug combos rather than just making Tetrises all day.

* ContestedSequel: Fans are split over whether ''[=TGM3=]'' is an improvment upon ''TAP'' with its improved Arika Rotation System (specifically, the new "floor kick" added to the I-piece to make it easier to rotate when in 20G and the piece is horizontal), or FakeDifficulty: The Game due to the COOL system resulting in an unreasonably fast speed curve.

* ContestedSequel: ''Tetris: The Grand Master 4'' would have introduced some controversial changes to the gameplay mechanics, as well as a LighterAndSofter graphical interface.

* ScrappyMechanic: Firm drop for some players, which has led to many a misdrop (and is possibly why players in some regions stick to World Rule, which offers standard hard drop).

* ParvumOpus: ''TGM ACE'', due to cutting out a lot of important ''TGM'' staples. Notably, [[ExecutiveMeddling this is not Arika's fault]].

* TheScrappy: There's an unlikely one in TAP's T.A. Death mode. It's the ''I piece.'' Due to it being the only piece that can't kick, [[http://tetrisconcept.net/wiki/TGM_Guide#Uses_and_misuses_of_the_I_piece.2C_parti_I:_rotations simply setting up a one-cell-wide hole on either the far left or right isn't enough to set up for a Tetris]]; you also have to set up a slightly wider opening for the piece to slip through.
** Thankfully, in regards to the other pieces, the game gives you some relief in the form of [[AntiFrustrationFeatures never giving out an S, Z, or O as the first piece]].

* PortingDisaster: ''TGM ACE'', thanks to massive amounts of ExecutiveMeddling via the Tetris Guideline.

* CrowningMomentOfAwesome: Getting the Grand Master rank in any of the games is a CMOA for ''the player'', though the awesomeness tends to be greater with newer games as they tighten the requirements for GM rank.

* CultClassic: Although the series is known through memetic videos at best outside of Japan, it does have a small dedicated following in the West. This seems to be changing in 2015, as demonstrations of it at WebVideo/AwesomeGamesDoneQuick have helped bring more exposure to Western gamers.

* CultClassic: Although the series is known through memetic videos at best outside of Japan, it does have a dedicated following in the West. This seems to be changing in 2015, as demonstrations of it at WebVideo/AwesomeGamesDoneQuick have helped bring more exposure to Western gamers.

* FanHater: Having someone watch you play at 20G drop speed will get you called superhuman at best and some loser who takes ''VideoGame/{{Tetris}}'' too seriously at worst.
* FriendlyFandoms: You can expect a lot of TGM players to also be {{Bemani}} or {{shmup}} players.

* ScrappyMechanic: Firm drop for some players, which has led to many a misdrop (and is possibly why players in some regions stick to World Rule, which offers standard hard drop). YourMileageMayVary, considering its numerous useful applications.

* CrackIsCheaper: ''TGM'' has never appeared on a home console, unless you count ''TGM ACE'', so good luck trying to legitimately own any of the arcade games.