Destination Earthstar NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Shooter / Simulation

Destination Earthstar

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1990
GenreShooter, Simulation
DeveloperImagineer
PublisherAcclaim
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, Destination Earthstar is a shooter developed by Imagineer and published by Acclaim. It blends shooter and simulation 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. Among the 33 NES shooters in our database, it ranks #23 by legacy score.

Imagineer also made The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants, Barbie and The Simpsons: Bart vs. the World 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've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you are not a fan of fast-paced aiming and twitch reflexes
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Destination Earthstar is like

Shooters are built around aiming and firing, from first-person corridor blasters and light-gun games to run-and-gun stages and multidirectional arcade shooters.

Tip for newcomers: Retro shooters were designed for CRT TVs and original controllers; light-gun games in particular need special hardware or alternative controls on modern screens.

Destination Earthstar gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Destination Earthstar cheats & codes

20 codes on file (Game Genie, Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:

Less EnergyISNEUUOP
More EnergyNNNEUUOO
Start Game With 1 LifePAVTXGLA
Infinite LivesSXVSVIVG
Don't Lose Special Weapon In Sub-GameXTNVSNXK

See all Destination Earthstar cheats

Destination Earthstar walkthroughs & guides

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

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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.

Destination Earthstar FAQ

When did Destination Earthstar come out on the NES?

Destination Earthstar was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990.

Who made Destination Earthstar?

It was developed by Imagineer and published by Acclaim.

Is Destination Earthstar multiplayer?

No. Destination Earthstar is a single-player game.

How long does Destination Earthstar take to play?

As a shooter, Destination Earthstar 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 Destination Earthstar 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.

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