Dragon Buster NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · RPG / Platformer

Dragon Buster

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1987 (originally 1985)
GenreRPG, Platformer
DeveloperNamco
PublisherNamco
Players1 player
CommitmentEpic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 1

Developed by Namco, Dragon Buster arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987 as a role-playing game. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1985. It blends RPG and platformer elements.

It landed about 2 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1987 include Final Fantasy, Metal Gear and Mega Man.

Namco also made Pac-Man, Battle City and Mappy for the NES.

This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.

Pick it if…

  • you want to get lost in a long quest
  • you have time for an epic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
  • you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you want instant action rather than menus, story and grinding
  • you are looking for something to play with friends
  • you only have a few minutes at a time

What playing Dragon Buster is like

Role-playing games trade reflexes for strategy and story. You build a party, level up, manage equipment and travel across a large world, usually through menu-based battles.

Tip for newcomers: Retro RPGs can require some level grinding and rarely tell you exactly where to go next. Talk to every townsperson, save often and use a guide if you get stuck: there is no shame in it.

Dragon Buster gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Dragon Buster cheats & codes

28 codes on file (Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Emulator memory codes codes to start with:

Infinite Energy03D2:60
Infinite Key03D5:09
Infinite Tree Branch03D6:09
Infinite Compass03D7:09
Infinite Axe03D8:09
Infinite Book03D9:09

See all Dragon Buster cheats

Dragon Buster walkthroughs & guides

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

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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.

Dragon Buster FAQ

When did Dragon Buster come out on the NES?

Dragon Buster was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987; the original game dates back to 1985.

Who made Dragon Buster?

It was developed by Namco.

Is Dragon Buster multiplayer?

No. Dragon Buster is a single-player game.

How long does Dragon Buster take to play?

As a role-playing game, Dragon Buster typically falls into the "Epic journey" category: 20+ hours of adventure. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Dragon Buster 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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