Nintendo Entertainment System · Strategy
Desert Commander
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 |
| Genre | Strategy |
| Developer | Kemco |
| Publisher | Kemco |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Weekend project (Roughly 6–20 hours) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 4 |
Desert Commander is a strategy game released in 1989 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Kemco.
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 #14 by legacy score.
Kemco also made The Bugs Bunny Birthday Blowout, Dragon Wars and Ghost Lion for the NES.
Desert Commander 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 Desert Commander 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.
Desert Commander cheats & codes
12 codes on file (Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Emulator memory codes codes to start with:
| Have 99 Tank Units | 0084:63 |
|---|---|
| Have 99 Tank #2 Units | 0085:63 |
| Have 99 Trucks Units | 0086:63 |
| Have 99 Troop Units | 0087:63 |
| Have 99 Grenades (?) Units | 0088:63 |
| Have 99 Stationary Artillery | 0089:63 |
Desert Commander walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Desert Commander.
If you like Desert Commander, the Matrix also picks…
Cosmic Wars Deep cut
Defender of the Crown 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.
Desert Commander FAQ
When did Desert Commander come out on the NES?
Desert Commander was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989.
Who made Desert Commander?
It was developed by Kemco.
Is Desert Commander multiplayer?
Yes. Desert Commander supports up to 2 players.
How long does Desert Commander take to play?
As a strategy game, Desert Commander 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 Desert Commander 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.