Galactic Protector Deep cut
Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up
Fantasy Zone
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 (originally 1986) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | Pixel |
| Publisher | Tengen |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Fantasy Zone |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 4 |
Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989, Fantasy Zone is a shoot 'em up developed by Pixel and published by Tengen. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1986.
It landed about 4 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1989 include Mother, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and DuckTales.
It is part of the Fantasy Zone series. The series also appears on other systems with Fantasy Zone (Master System) and Super Fantasy Zone (Genesis). Pixel also made Baseball Stars 2, Robocco Wars and World Champ 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 a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Fantasy Zone is like
Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.
Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.
Fantasy Zone cheats & codes
20 codes on file (Game Genie, Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | OZEVYTVK |
|---|---|
| Start With 1 Life | PAXVOPLA |
| Start With 6 Lives | TAXVOPLA |
| Start With 9 Lives | PAXVOPLE |
| Keep Bought Weapon For A Life | OXETOAVK |
| Autofire On All Weapons | AAOVKTPA |
Fantasy Zone walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Fantasy Zone.
If you like Fantasy Zone, the Matrix also picks…
Battle City Classic Co-op
Jackal Classic Co-op
Contra Force Classic
Ikari Warriors Classic Co-op
Salamander Classic Co-op
Contra Classic
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.
Fantasy Zone FAQ
When did Fantasy Zone come out on the NES?
Fantasy Zone was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989; the original game dates back to 1986.
Who made Fantasy Zone?
It was developed by Pixel and published by Tengen.
Is Fantasy Zone multiplayer?
No. Fantasy Zone is a single-player game.
How long does Fantasy Zone take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Fantasy Zone typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Fantasy Zone 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.