Nintendo Entertainment System · Strategy
Defender of the Crown
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 (originally 1986) |
| Genre | Strategy |
| Developer | Beam Software |
| Publisher | Palcom |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Weekend project (Roughly 6–20 hours) |
| Series | Defender of the Crown |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 5 |
Defender of the Crown is a strategy game released in 1989 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Beam Software and published by Palcom. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1986.
It landed about 4 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1989 include Mother, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and DuckTales. Among the 36 NES strategy games in our database, it ranks #11 by legacy score.
It is part of the Defender of the Crown series. The series also appears on other systems with Defender of the Crown (C64) and Defender of the Crown (GBA). Beam Software also made Star Wars, Back to the Future and Back to the Future Part II & III for the NES.
Defender of the Crown supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to think and plan
- you have time for a weekend project (roughly 6–20 hours)
- you have a friend to play against
- you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you want quick action without planning ahead
What playing Defender of the Crown is like
Strategy games reward planning over reflexes: command armies, manage resources and outthink opponents on turn-based or real-time battlefields.
Tip for newcomers: Read the manual or tutorial if one exists: retro strategy games often assume you know their rules. Save between missions.
Defender of the Crown cheats & codes
67 codes on file (Game Genie, Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Only 10 Soldiers In Your Garrison | ZAVVALGO |
|---|---|
| 40 Soldiers In Your Garrison | AZVVALGO |
| Soldiers For Free | AAEOUPPA0 |
| Triple The Cost Of Soldiers | LAEOUPPA |
| Halve The Cost Of Knights | GAEOKOAA |
| Double The Cost Of Knights | APEOKOAA |
Defender of the Crown walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Defender of the Crown.
If you like Defender of the Crown, the Matrix also picks…
Cosmic Wars Deep cut
Desert Commander Deep cut
Genghis Khan Deep cut
King of Kings Deep cut
Rampart Deep cut
Romance of the Three Kingdoms II Deep cut
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.
Defender of the Crown FAQ
When did Defender of the Crown come out on the NES?
Defender of the Crown was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989; the original game dates back to 1986.
Who made Defender of the Crown?
It was developed by Beam Software and published by Palcom.
Is Defender of the Crown multiplayer?
Yes. Defender of the Crown supports up to 2 players.
How long does Defender of the Crown take to play?
As a strategy game, Defender of the Crown typically falls into the "Weekend project" category: roughly 6–20 hours. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Defender of the Crown 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.