Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up
Captain Skyhawk
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1990 |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | Rareware |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 5 |
Developed by Rareware and published by Nintendo, Captain Skyhawk arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990 as a shoot 'em up.
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.
Rareware also made Battletoads, Battletoads & Double Dragon and Cobra Triangle for the NES.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
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've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Captain Skyhawk 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.
Captain Skyhawk cheats & codes
23 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | OZKAIGVK |
|---|---|
| Start With 1 Life | PEUITIIA |
| Start With 10 Lives | ZEUITIIE |
| Infinite Maverick Missiles | OZXPUZVK |
| Infinite Hawk Bombs | OXKPVGVK |
| Start With Half Hawk Bombs | LESITITA |
Captain Skyhawk walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Captain Skyhawk.
If you like Captain Skyhawk, the Matrix also picks…
Battle City Classic Co-op
Jackal Classic Co-op
Contra Force Classic
Salamander Classic Co-op
Contra Classic
The Guardian Legend Classic
Block Hole 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.
Captain Skyhawk FAQ
When did Captain Skyhawk come out on the NES?
Captain Skyhawk was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990.
Who made Captain Skyhawk?
It was developed by Rareware and published by Nintendo.
Is Captain Skyhawk multiplayer?
No. Captain Skyhawk is a single-player game.
How long does Captain Skyhawk take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Captain Skyhawk 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 Captain Skyhawk 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.