Dr. Mario Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Puzzle
Boulder Dash
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1990 (originally 1984) |
| Genre | Puzzle |
| Developer | SAS Sakata |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Boulder Dash |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 7 |
Boulder Dash is a puzzle game released in 1990 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by SAS Sakata and published by Nintendo. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1984.
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 49 NES puzzle games in our database, it ranks #18 by legacy score.
It is part of the Boulder Dash series. The series also appears on other systems with Boulder Dash (ColecoVision) and Boulder Dash (C64). SAS Sakata also made Karnov and Karate Champ for the NES.
Boulder Dash supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to think and plan
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
Maybe skip it if…
- you want story, exploration or action
What playing Boulder Dash is like
Puzzle games challenge pattern recognition, planning and quick thinking, from falling-block games to single-screen logic puzzles.
Tip for newcomers: Puzzle games are perfect for short sessions and often have endless or score-attack modes, so they never really end.
Boulder Dash cheats & codes
37 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | SLEZXTVI |
|---|---|
| 1 Life | PAKIELLA |
| 6 Lives | TAKIELLA |
| 9 Lives | PAKIELLE |
| 1 Life After Continue | PEOXEYLA |
| 6 Lives After Continue | TEOXEYLA |
Boulder Dash walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Boulder Dash.
If you like Boulder Dash, the Matrix also picks…
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.
Boulder Dash FAQ
When did Boulder Dash come out on the NES?
Boulder Dash was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990; the original game dates back to 1984.
Who made Boulder Dash?
It was developed by SAS Sakata and published by Nintendo.
Is Boulder Dash multiplayer?
Yes. Boulder Dash supports up to 2 players.
How long does Boulder Dash take to play?
As a puzzle game, Boulder Dash 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 Boulder Dash 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.