Battle City Classic Co-op
Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up
Formation Z
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1985 (originally 1984) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | Jaleco |
| Publisher | Jaleco |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 3 |
Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, Formation Z is a shoot 'em up developed by Jaleco. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1984.
It belongs to the NES's earliest wave of games. Other notable NES releases from 1985 include Super Mario Bros., Excitebike and Ice Climber.
Jaleco also made City Connection, Field Combat and Ninja JaJaMaru-kun for the NES.
Formation Z 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 Formation Z 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.
Formation Z cheats & codes
9 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Lowers Amount Of Jet Time/Fuel To 50 On Pod Pick-Up (Instead of 99) Makes Game Harder | ZUEOOTLT |
|---|---|
| Lowers Amount Of Jet Time/Fuel To 25 On Pod Pick-Up (Makes Game Much Harder) | POEOOTLV |
Formation Z walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Formation Z.
If you like Formation Z, the Matrix also picks…
Space Invaders Classic
Jackal Classic Co-op
Ikari Warriors Classic Co-op
Salamander Classic Co-op
Contra Classic
Galaga Classic
Sky Destroyer 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.
Formation Z FAQ
When did Formation Z come out on the NES?
Formation Z was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985; the original game dates back to 1984.
Who made Formation Z?
It was developed by Jaleco.
Is Formation Z multiplayer?
Yes. Formation Z supports up to 2 players.
How long does Formation Z take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Formation Z 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 Formation Z 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.