Blades of Steel NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Sports

Blades of Steel

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1988 (originally 1988)
GenreSports
DeveloperKonami
PublisherKonami
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
SeriesBlades of Steel
ESRBE
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 5

Blades of Steel is a sports game released in 1988 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Konami. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1988.

It landed about 3 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1988 include Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Final Fantasy II.

It is part of the Blades of Steel series. The series also appears on other systems with NHL Blades of Steel '99 (N64) and Blades of Steel (C64). Konami also made Metal Gear, Castlevania and Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse for the NES.

Blades of Steel supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to race and compete
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you need current teams and rosters

What playing Blades of Steel is like

Sports games bring football, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, wrestling and more to the console, from simulation-style management to over-the-top arcade action.

Tip for newcomers: Arcade-style sports games are the easiest to enjoy today; simulation titles may have outdated rosters but still offer satisfying gameplay.

Blades of Steel gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Blades of Steel cheats & codes

19 codes on file (Game Genie, Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:

Faster TimerGEUGTTYA
Slower TimerGOUGTTYA
Players Can Take Only One PunchPAXZLGIA
Player With Puck Doesn't Slow DownAAOSSAAZ

See all Blades of Steel cheats

Blades of Steel walkthroughs & guides

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

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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.

Blades of Steel FAQ

When did Blades of Steel come out on the NES?

Blades of Steel was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988; the original game dates back to 1988.

Who made Blades of Steel?

It was developed by Konami.

Is Blades of Steel multiplayer?

Yes. Blades of Steel supports up to 2 players.

How long does Blades of Steel take to play?

As a sports game, Blades of Steel 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 Blades of Steel 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