Gun.Smoke NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up

Gun.Smoke

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1988 (originally 1985)
GenreShoot 'em Up
DeveloperCapcom
PublisherCapcom
Players1 player
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 3

Developed by Capcom, Gun.Smoke arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988 as a shoot 'em up. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1985.

It landed about 3 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1988 include Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Final Fantasy II.

Capcom also made Mega Man, Mega Man 2 and Mega Man 3 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 Gun.Smoke 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.

Gun.Smoke gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Gun.Smoke cheats & codes

43 codes on file (Game Genie, Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:

Start With 9 LivesPAXVTYLE
Start With 25 LivesPPXVTYLE
Infinite LivesSXUYTLVG
Once You Get A Horse, It Can't DieSZEGOLVG
InvincibleGVVKKZKA
Start With All Weapons And Lots of AmmoPAUTTYAA

See all Gun.Smoke cheats

Gun.Smoke walkthroughs & guides

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

If you like Gun.Smoke, the Matrix also picks…

1942 box art
1942 NES · Shoot 'em Up Classic
Talespin box art
Talespin NES · 1991 · Shoot 'em Up Deep cut
Jackal box art
Jackal NES · 1988 · Shoot 'em Up Classic Co-op

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.

Gun.Smoke FAQ

When did Gun.Smoke come out on the NES?

Gun.Smoke was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988; the original game dates back to 1985.

Who made Gun.Smoke?

It was developed by Capcom.

Is Gun.Smoke multiplayer?

No. Gun.Smoke is a single-player game.

How long does Gun.Smoke take to play?

As a shoot 'em up, Gun.Smoke 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 Gun.Smoke 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