Deathbots NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up / Shooter

Deathbots

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1990
GenreShoot 'em Up, Shooter
DeveloperOdyssey Software, Inc.
PublisherAmerican Video Entertainment
Players1 player
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 1

Deathbots is a shoot 'em up released in 1990 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Odyssey Software, Inc. and published by American Video Entertainment. It blends shoot 'em up and shooter elements.

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.

Deathbots is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

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 Deathbots 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.

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

Deathbots walkthroughs & guides

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

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Contra box art
Contra NES · 1988 · Shoot 'em Up 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.

Deathbots FAQ

When did Deathbots come out on the NES?

Deathbots was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990.

Who made Deathbots?

It was developed by Odyssey Software, Inc. and published by American Video Entertainment.

Is Deathbots multiplayer?

No. Deathbots is a single-player game.

How long does Deathbots take to play?

As a shoot 'em up, Deathbots 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.

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.

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