Cabal NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Shooter

Cabal

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1990 (originally 1988)
GenreShooter
DeveloperRareware
PublisherMilton Bradley Co.
Players1–2 players
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 4

Cabal is a shooter released in 1990 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Rareware and published by Milton Bradley Co.. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1988.

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 33 NES shooters in our database, it ranks #18 by legacy score.

Rareware also made Battletoads, Battletoads & Double Dragon and Cobra Triangle for the NES.

Cabal 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
  • you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you are not a fan of fast-paced aiming and twitch reflexes

What playing Cabal is like

Shooters are built around aiming and firing, from first-person corridor blasters and light-gun games to run-and-gun stages and multidirectional arcade shooters.

Tip for newcomers: Retro shooters were designed for CRT TVs and original controllers; light-gun games in particular need special hardware or alternative controls on modern screens.

Cabal gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Cabal cheats & codes

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

9 Lives For Players 1 And 2UNUOTTNN
1 Life For Players 1 And 2UNUOTTNY
Infinite LivesGXEOZZVI
Start With 20 GrenadesKYVEOZUY
Start With 50 GrenadesNYVEOZUY
Infinite GrenadesAEUXSIPA

See all Cabal cheats

Cabal walkthroughs & guides

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

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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.

Cabal FAQ

When did Cabal come out on the NES?

Cabal was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990; the original game dates back to 1988.

Who made Cabal?

It was developed by Rareware and published by Milton Bradley Co..

Is Cabal multiplayer?

Yes. Cabal supports up to 2 players.

How long does Cabal take to play?

As a shooter, Cabal 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 Cabal 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