Back to the Future Part II & III NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Action-Adventure / Platformer

Back to the Future Part II & III

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1990
GenreAction-Adventure, Platformer, Puzzle
DeveloperBeam Software
PublisherLJN
Players1 player
CommitmentWeekend project (Roughly 6–20 hours)
SeriesBack to the Future
ESRBE
LegacyWell-known · legacy score 8

Developed by Beam Software and published by LJN, Back to the Future Part II & III arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990 as an action-adventure game. It blends action-adventure, platformer and puzzle elements.

It landed about 5 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1990 include Final Fantasy III, Dr. Mario and Mega Man 3. Among the 68 NES action-adventure games in our database, it ranks #20 by legacy score.

It is part of the Back to the Future series; on the NES you can also try Back to the Future. The series also appears on other systems with Back to the Future Part III (Genesis) and Super Back to the Future Part II (SNES). Beam Software also made Star Wars, Battle Chess and Bigfoot for the NES.

Back to the Future Part II & III is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

Pick it if…

  • you want to get lost in a long quest
  • you have time for a weekend project (roughly 6–20 hours)

Maybe skip it if…

  • you want a game you can finish in one short session
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Back to the Future Part II & III is like

Action-adventures blend real-time combat with exploration, puzzles and item collection. You open up a larger world gradually as new tools let you reach places you couldn't before.

Tip for newcomers: Keep a mental (or paper) map of locked doors and unreachable ledges; most action-adventures expect you to come back once you find the right item.

Back to the Future Part II & III gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Back to the Future Part II & III walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Back to the Future Part II & III.

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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.

Back to the Future Part II & III FAQ

When did Back to the Future Part II & III come out on the NES?

Back to the Future Part II & III was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990.

Who made Back to the Future Part II & III?

It was developed by Beam Software and published by LJN.

Is Back to the Future Part II & III multiplayer?

No. Back to the Future Part II & III is a single-player game.

How long does Back to the Future Part II & III take to play?

As an action-adventure game, Back to the Future Part II & III typically falls into the "Weekend project" category: roughly 6–20 hours. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Back to the Future Part II & III 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.

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