Space Invaders Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up
Flying Shark
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 (originally 1987) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | Taito |
| Publisher | Taito |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Flying Shark |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 2 |
Flying Shark is a shoot 'em up released in 1989 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Taito. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Sky Shark. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1987.
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 Flying Shark series. The series also appears on other systems with Flying Shark (C64) and Fire Shark (Genesis). Taito also made Arkanoid, Space Invaders and Bubble Bobble for the NES.
Flying Shark supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
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 have a friend to play against
- you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Flying Shark 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.
Flying Shark cheats & codes
31 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | OZNEAAVS |
|---|---|
| Infinite Bombs | GXUEALVI |
| Infinite Credits | GZNEIOVS |
| Start With 1 Life (Player 1) | GZXATEOZ |
| Start With 1 Life (Player 2) | AAUALAGA |
| Start With 9 Lives (Player 2) | AAUALAGE |
Flying Shark walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Flying Shark.
If you like Flying Shark, the Matrix also picks…
Sky Destroyer Classic
Battle City Classic Co-op
Jackal Classic Co-op
Contra Force Classic
Ikari Warriors Classic Co-op
Salamander Classic Co-op
Operation Wolf Deep cut
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.
Flying Shark FAQ
When did Flying Shark come out on the NES?
Flying Shark was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989; the original game dates back to 1987.
Who made Flying Shark?
It was developed by Taito.
Is Flying Shark multiplayer?
Yes. Flying Shark supports up to 2 players.
How long does Flying Shark take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Flying Shark 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 Flying Shark 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.