The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Shooter / Shoot 'em Up
Air Fortress
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1987 |
| Genre | Shooter, Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | HAL Laboratory |
| Publisher | HAL Laboratory |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 10 |
Developed by HAL Laboratory, Air Fortress arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987 as a shooter. It blends shooter and shoot 'em up elements.
It landed about 2 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1987 include Final Fantasy, Metal Gear and Mega Man. Among the 33 NES shooters in our database, it ranks #5 by legacy score.
HAL Laboratory also made Kirby's Adventure, Adventures of Lolo and Adventures of Lolo 2 for the NES.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
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 want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you are not a fan of fast-paced aiming and twitch reflexes
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Air Fortress is like
Shooters are built around aiming and firing, from first-person corridor blasters and light-gun games to run-and-gun stages and multidirectional arcade shooters.
Tip for newcomers: Retro shooters were designed for CRT TVs and original controllers; light-gun games in particular need special hardware or alternative controls on modern screens.
Air Fortress cheats & codes
36 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives Outside Fortress | SZUPKGVG |
|---|---|
| Start With 1 Life | PAVPKZLA |
| Start With 6 Lives | TAVPKZLA |
| Start With 9 Lives | PAVPKZLE |
| Pick Up Double Bombs | APKZNGIA |
| Infinite Beam Bullets | AAKPSTPA |
Air Fortress walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Air Fortress.
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Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Air Fortress FAQ
When did Air Fortress come out on the NES?
Air Fortress was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987.
Who made Air Fortress?
It was developed by HAL Laboratory.
Is Air Fortress multiplayer?
No. Air Fortress is a single-player game.
How long does Air Fortress take to play?
As a shooter, Air Fortress 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.
Read more about Air Fortress on Wikipedia. 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.