Airwolf NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Shooter

Airwolf

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1989 (originally 1987)
GenreShooter
DeveloperBeam Software
PublisherAcclaim
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
SeriesAirwolf
ESRBE
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 1

Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989, Airwolf is a shooter developed by Beam Software and published by Acclaim. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1987.

It landed about 4 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1989 include Mother, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and DuckTales.

It is part of the Airwolf series. Beam Software also made Star Wars, Back to the Future and Back to the Future Part II & III for the NES.

Airwolf 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 NES hits and want something less obvious

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 Airwolf 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.

Airwolf gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Airwolf cheats & codes

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

Start With 1 LifePAUGVILA
Start With 6 LivesTAUGVILA
Start With 9 LivesPAUGVILE
Start At Last Mission ReachedPVXKKKLI
Start With 30 MissilesTPVAPXYE
Start With 45 MissilesIZVAPXYE

See all Airwolf cheats

Airwolf walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Airwolf.

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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.

Airwolf FAQ

When did Airwolf come out on the NES?

Airwolf was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989; the original game dates back to 1987.

Who made Airwolf?

It was developed by Beam Software and published by Acclaim.

Is Airwolf multiplayer?

No. Airwolf is a single-player game.

How long does Airwolf take to play?

As a shooter, Airwolf 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