Fist of the North Star Game Boy box art

Game Boy · Action

Fist of the North Star

SystemGame Boy
Released1989
GenreAction
DeveloperShouei System
PublisherTaxan USA Corp.
Players1–2 players
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
ESRBNOT RATED
LegacyDeep cut

Released for the Game Boy in 1989, Fist of the North Star is an action game developed by Shouei System and published by Taxan USA Corp..

It belongs to the Game Boy's earliest wave of games. Other notable Game Boy releases from 1989 include Super Mario Land, Tetris and Alleyway.

Fist of the North Star supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you've played the Game Boy hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests

What playing Fist of the North Star is like

Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.

Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.

Fist of the North Star gameplay screenshot on Game Boy
In-game screenshot (Game Boy)

Fist of the North Star cheats & codes

39 codes on file (Game Genie, GameShark). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:

Almost Invincible21E-9FF-4C1
No Energy Loss From Weapons Thrown21F-A5F-4C1
Start On Level 505B-CCE-E6E
Start On Level 909B-CCE-E6E
Start With 25% Energy40F-F7E-195
Start With 50% Energy7F4-F7E-195

See all Fist of the North Star cheats

If you like Fist of the North Star, the Matrix also picks…

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Alleyway Game Boy · 1989 · Action Classic
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Pac-Man Game Gear · 1991 · Action Classic

Playing Game Boy games today

Game Boy games were designed for short bursts on the go, which makes them ideal for a coffee break today. Many are available through Nintendo Switch Online, and original carts play on any later Game Boy model.

Fist of the North Star FAQ

When did Fist of the North Star come out on the Game Boy?

Fist of the North Star was released for the Game Boy in 1989.

Who made Fist of the North Star?

It was developed by Shouei System and published by Taxan USA Corp..

Is Fist of the North Star multiplayer?

Yes. Fist of the North Star supports up to 2 players.

How long does Fist of the North Star take to play?

As an action game, Fist of the North Star typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you