Circus Caper NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer

Circus Caper

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1990
GenrePlatformer
DeveloperToho Company
PublisherToho Company
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 3

Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990, Circus Caper is a platformer developed by Toho Company.

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.

Toho Company also made Godzilla 2: War of the Monsters for the NES.

This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.

Pick it if…

  • you want to run, jump and explore
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Circus Caper is like

Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.

Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.

Circus Caper gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Circus Caper cheats & codes

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

Infinite EnergyGZEYPSSE
Full Energy From FoodAASVNAZA
Start With Lots Of WeaponsNNOTNLAE
Infinite Energy Against BossesSXULIUSE
Third Boss Gains No PointsVIEOUUVV

See all Circus Caper cheats

Circus Caper walkthroughs & guides

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

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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.

Circus Caper FAQ

When did Circus Caper come out on the NES?

Circus Caper was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990.

Who made Circus Caper?

It was developed by Toho Company.

Is Circus Caper multiplayer?

No. Circus Caper is a single-player game.

How long does Circus Caper take to play?

As a platformer, Circus Caper 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 Circus Caper 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