8 Eyes Classic Co-op
Nintendo Entertainment System · Action / Action-Adventure
Challenger
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1985 |
| Genre | Action, Action-Adventure, Platformer |
| Developer | Hudson |
| Publisher | Hudson |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 10 |
Challenger is an action game released in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Hudson. It blends action, action-adventure and platformer 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 164 NES action games in our database, it ranks #21 by legacy score.
Hudson also made Adventure Island 3, Bomberman II and Faxanadu 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 an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Challenger is like
Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.
Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.
Challenger cheats & codes
10 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Start With 9 Lives (Instead of 4) | PEXONYGE |
|---|---|
| Start With 15 Lives | YEXONYGE |
| Start With 25 Lives | POXONYGE |
| Start With 50 Lives | ZUXONYGA |
Challenger walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Challenger.
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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.
Challenger FAQ
When did Challenger come out on the NES?
Challenger was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985.
Who made Challenger?
It was developed by Hudson.
Is Challenger multiplayer?
No. Challenger is a single-player game.
How long does Challenger take to play?
As an action game, Challenger 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 Challenger 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.