Space Invaders Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up / Simulation
Battle City
Certified classic Co-op
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1985 |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Simulation, Shooter |
| Developer | Namco |
| Publisher | Namco |
| Players | 1–2 players (co-op) |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 25 |
Developed by Namco, Battle City arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985 as a shoot 'em up. It blends shoot 'em up, simulation and shooter 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. Among the 84 NES shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #1 by legacy score.
Namco also made Pac-Man, Mappy and Galaga for the NES.
Battle City supports up to 2 players, including cooperative play, which makes it a strong pick for playing with a friend.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you want a game to beat together with a friend
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Battle City is like
Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.
Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.
Battle City cheats & codes
31 codes on file (Other codes). Here are a few Other codes codes to start with:
| Invincibility | SUEVGZVI |
|---|---|
| Start With 9 Lives | ZEKKTZLE |
| Infinite Lives | 0051:02 |
| Win Level Now | 0080:00 |
| Tank Always Have Shield Protection | 0089:02 |
| Infinite Lives | SLESSTVI |
Battle City walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Battle City.
If you like Battle City, the Matrix also picks…
Contra Classic
Contra Force Classic
Guerrilla War Deep cut Co-op
Raid on Bungeling Bay Deep cut
Galaga 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.
Battle City FAQ
When did Battle City come out on the NES?
Battle City was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985.
Who made Battle City?
It was developed by Namco.
Is Battle City multiplayer?
Yes. Battle City supports up to 2 players, including co-op play.
How long does Battle City take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Battle City typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Battle City 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.