DuckTales NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer

DuckTales

Certified classic

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1989
GenrePlatformer
DeveloperCapcom
PublisherCapcom
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
SeriesDisney
ESRBE
LegacyCertified 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 gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

DuckTales cheats & codes

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

Infinite LivesSXUIEKVK
Infinite Hit PointsATVVXLEZ
Start With 1 LifeAAESULZA
Start With 6 LivesIAESULZA
Start With 9 LivesAAESULZE
Lose Half Normal Hit Points (In Easy Game)LAVTNLPA

See all DuckTales cheats

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.

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