Balloon Fight NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Action / Platformer

Balloon Fight

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1985 (originally 1984)
GenreAction, Platformer
DeveloperNintendo
PublisherNintendo
Players1–2 players
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
ESRBE
LegacyWell-known · legacy score 8

Balloon Fight is an action game released in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Nintendo. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1984. It blends action and platformer elements.

It belongs to the NES's earliest wave of games. Other notable NES releases from 1985 include Super Mario Bros., Excitebike and Ice Climber.

Nintendo also made Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario Bros. 2 for the NES.

Balloon Fight supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

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 have a friend to play against

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests

What playing Balloon Fight is like

Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.

Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.

Balloon Fight gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Balloon Fight cheats & codes

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

Infinite LivesSUNNIZVI
Start With 1 LifeAENYPPZA
Start With 6 LivesIENYPPZA
Start With 9 LivesAENYPPZE
Start With Only One BalloonPEUYTLZA
Balloons Are UnburstableAVXTNYKA

See all Balloon Fight cheats

Balloon Fight walkthroughs & guides

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

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8 Eyes box art
8 Eyes NES · 1988 · Action Classic Co-op

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.

Balloon Fight FAQ

When did Balloon Fight come out on the NES?

Balloon Fight was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985; the original game dates back to 1984.

Who made Balloon Fight?

It was developed by Nintendo.

Is Balloon Fight multiplayer?

Yes. Balloon Fight supports up to 2 players.

How long does Balloon Fight take to play?

As an action game, Balloon Fight 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 Balloon Fight 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.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you