Friday the 13th NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Horror / Action

Friday the 13th

Certified classic

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1989
GenreHorror, Action
DeveloperPack In Video
PublisherLJN
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyCertified classic · legacy score 12

Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989, Friday the 13th is a horror game developed by Pack In Video and published by LJN. It blends horror and action elements.

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.

Pack In Video also made Die Hard, Rambo and Knight Rider for the NES.

Friday the 13th is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

Pick it if…

  • you want to be spooked
  • 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 scare easily or dislike scarce resources
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Friday the 13th is like

Horror games build dread through atmosphere, limited resources and enemies you would rather avoid than fight. Survival horror in particular makes every bullet count.

Tip for newcomers: Conserve ammunition and healing items, explore carefully, and play with the lights off for the full effect.

Friday the 13th gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Friday the 13th cheats & codes

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

Infinite Energy For Active CounselorOTEIVISV
Vitamins Heal Active Counselor BetterZZOUAGTE
Vitamins Heal Others BetterAZEVXLGE
Auto-FireINNLIZGY
Everyone Can Jump HighGAEUZIAE
Infinite ChildrenSZSLUEVK IYKLSEAY

See all Friday the 13th cheats

Friday the 13th walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Friday the 13th.

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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.

Friday the 13th FAQ

When did Friday the 13th come out on the NES?

Friday the 13th was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989.

Who made Friday the 13th?

It was developed by Pack In Video and published by LJN.

Is Friday the 13th multiplayer?

No. Friday the 13th is a single-player game.

How long does Friday the 13th take to play?

As a horror game, Friday the 13th 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 Friday the 13th 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.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you