Super Mario Bros. Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer
Athena
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1987 (originally 1986) |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Developer | SNK |
| Publisher | SNK |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Athena |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 4 |
Developed by SNK, Athena arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987 as a platformer. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1986.
It landed about 2 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1987 include Final Fantasy, Metal Gear and Mega Man.
It is part of the Athena series. The series also appears on other systems with Athena (C64) and Psycho Soldier (C64). SNK also made P.O.W.: Prisoners of War, Alpha Mission and Baseball Stars for the NES.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- 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 get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Athena is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Athena cheats & codes
31 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Start With 1 Life | AEKNLPZA |
|---|---|
| Start With 6 Lives | IEKNLPZA |
| Start With 9 Lives | AEKNLPZE |
| Don't Take Any Damage (After First 2 Units) | GZUZLISA |
| Start With Energy Boost | AXKNYOGA |
| Freeze Timer | AAULLYPA |
Athena walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Athena.
If you like Athena, the Matrix also picks…
Super Mario Bros. 3 Classic
Super Mario Bros. 2 Classic
Ice Climber Classic Co-op
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse Classic
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers Classic Co-op
DuckTales Classic
Kirby's Adventure Classic
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.
Athena FAQ
When did Athena come out on the NES?
Athena was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987; the original game dates back to 1986.
Who made Athena?
It was developed by SNK.
Is Athena multiplayer?
No. Athena is a single-player game.
How long does Athena take to play?
As a platformer, Athena 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 Athena 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.