Parodius Game Boy box art

Game Boy · Action

Parodius

SystemGame Boy
GenreAction
DeveloperKonami
PublisherKonami
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
SeriesParodius
LegacyDeep cut

Developed by Konami, Parodius arrived on the Game Boy as an action game.

It is part of the Parodius series. The series also appears on other systems with Sexy Parodius (PS1) and Jikkyō Oshaberi Parodius (PS1). Konami also made Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge, Castlevania Legends and Castlevania: The Adventure for the Game Boy.

Parodius is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

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've played the Game Boy hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Parodius 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.

Parodius gameplay screenshot on Game Boy
In-game screenshot (Game Boy)

Parodius cheats & codes

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

Start With 5 Lives05A-93D-E66
Start With 8 Lives08A-93D-E66
Start With 11 Lives0BA-93D-E66
Infinite LivesFA3-C6C-4C1
Infinite Super Shields Once CollectedFAB-5D8-4C1
Start With Super Shields & Triple FiringFFB-D3D-E6A FFB-D6D-E6A

See all Parodius cheats

If you like Parodius, the Matrix also picks…

Alleyway box art
Alleyway Game Boy · 1989 · 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.

Parodius FAQ

Who made Parodius?

It was developed by Konami.

Is Parodius multiplayer?

No. Parodius is a single-player game.

How long does Parodius take to play?

As an action game, Parodius 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.

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