Dirty Harry NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Action / Adventure

Dirty Harry

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1990
GenreAction, Adventure
DeveloperMindscape
PublisherMindscape
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 4

Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990, Dirty Harry is an action game developed by Mindscape. It blends action and adventure 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.

Mindscape also made Mad Max 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 prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Dirty Harry is like

Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.

Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.

Dirty Harry gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Dirty Harry cheats & codes

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

Infinite LivesSXUKOKVK
1 LifePANSGIIA
10 LivesZANSGIIE
Infinite EnergyGXXGXGST
Maximum Energy From Chili DogsAEVLIPZA
Only 10 Magnum Bullets AllowedZESSTSPO ZEVIZSPO

See all Dirty Harry cheats

Dirty Harry walkthroughs & guides

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

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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.

Dirty Harry FAQ

When did Dirty Harry come out on the NES?

Dirty Harry was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990.

Who made Dirty Harry?

It was developed by Mindscape.

Is Dirty Harry multiplayer?

No. Dirty Harry is a single-player game.

How long does Dirty Harry take to play?

As an action game, Dirty Harry 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 Dirty Harry 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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