Nintendo Entertainment System · Action-Adventure / Adventure
Back to the Future
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 |
| Genre | Action-Adventure, Adventure |
| Developer | Beam Software |
| Publisher | LJN |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Weekend project (Roughly 6–20 hours) |
| Series | Back to the Future |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 9 |
Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989, Back to the Future is an action-adventure game developed by Beam Software and published by LJN. It blends action-adventure and adventure elements.
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. Among the 68 NES action-adventure games in our database, it ranks #16 by legacy score.
It is part of the Back to the Future series; on the NES you can also try Back to the Future Part II & III. 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.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
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 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 cheats & codes
37 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Start With 1 Life | PEXEGAGA |
|---|---|
| Start With 8 Lives | AEXEGAGE |
| Never Lose A Life In Hill Valley Game | SZKEGOVK |
| Never Lose A Life In Cafe Game | SXOELOVK |
| Never Lose A Life In School Game | SXKALOVK |
| Never Lose A Life In Dancing Hall Game | SXVELOVK |
Back to the Future walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Back to the Future.
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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 FAQ
When did Back to the Future come out on the NES?
Back to the Future was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989.
Who made Back to the Future?
It was developed by Beam Software and published by LJN.
Is Back to the Future multiplayer?
No. Back to the Future is a single-player game.
How long does Back to the Future take to play?
As an action-adventure game, Back to the Future 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 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.