Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer
DuckTales
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Developer | Capcom |
| Publisher | Capcom |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Disney |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 19 |
Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989, DuckTales is a platformer developed by Capcom.
It landed about 4 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1989 include Mother, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and Ninja Gaiden. Among the 191 NES platformers in our database, it ranks #9 by legacy score.
It is part of the Disney series; on the NES you can also try Adventures in the Magic Kingdom, The Little Mermaid and Talespin. The series also appears on other systems with DuckTales (Game Boy) and Disney's Aladdin (Genesis). Capcom also made Mega Man, Mega Man 2 and Mega Man 3 for the NES.
DuckTales is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing DuckTales is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
DuckTales cheats & codes
117 codes on file (Game Genie, Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | SXUIEKVK |
|---|---|
| Infinite Hit Points | ATVVXLEZ |
| Start With 1 Life | AAESULZA |
| Start With 6 Lives | IAESULZA |
| Start With 9 Lives | AAESULZE |
| Lose Half Normal Hit Points (In Easy Game) | LAVTNLPA |
DuckTales walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for DuckTales.
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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.
DuckTales FAQ
When did DuckTales come out on the NES?
DuckTales was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989.
Who made DuckTales?
It was developed by Capcom.
Is DuckTales multiplayer?
No. DuckTales is a single-player game.
How long does DuckTales take to play?
As a platformer, DuckTales 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 DuckTales 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.