Ghostbusters NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Action / Adventure

Ghostbusters

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1986 (originally 1984)
GenreAction, Adventure
DeveloperBits Laboratory
PublisherActivision
Players1–2 players
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
SeriesGhostbusters
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 4

Ghostbusters is an action game released in 1986 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Bits Laboratory and published by Activision. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1984. It blends action and adventure elements.

It came out in the NES's second year on the market. Other notable NES releases from 1986 include Arkanoid, Metroid and Dragon Quest.

It is part of the Ghostbusters series; on the NES you can also try New Ghostbusters II and Ghostbusters II. The series also appears on other systems with Ghostbusters (Genesis) and Ghostbusters (2600). Bits Laboratory also made Hanjuku Hero for the NES.

Ghostbusters 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 an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests

What playing Ghostbusters is like

Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.

Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.

Ghostbusters gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Ghostbusters cheats & codes

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

Start With $1,000,000AVVETNTI
Infinite FuelSXKZAZVG
Immune To Ghosts On Zuul StairwayOXOXKPVK
Permanent Ghost AlarmPAEEXKPX
Permanent Ghost VacuumPASPLOPX
Self-Emptying TrapsOXSESGSX

See all Ghostbusters cheats

Ghostbusters walkthroughs & guides

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

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Jaws box art
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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.

Ghostbusters FAQ

When did Ghostbusters come out on the NES?

Ghostbusters was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986; the original game dates back to 1984.

Who made Ghostbusters?

It was developed by Bits Laboratory and published by Activision.

Is Ghostbusters multiplayer?

Yes. Ghostbusters supports up to 2 players.

How long does Ghostbusters take to play?

As an action game, Ghostbusters 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 Ghostbusters 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