Air Fortress Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Shooter / Shoot 'em Up
Gyruss
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 (originally 1988) |
| Genre | Shooter, Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publisher | Ultra Games |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 5 |
Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989, Gyruss is a shooter developed by Konami and published by Ultra Games. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1988. It blends shooter and shoot 'em up 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. Among the 33 NES shooters in our database, it ranks #16 by legacy score.
Konami also made Metal Gear, Castlevania and Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse 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 an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you are not a fan of fast-paced aiming and twitch reflexes
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Gyruss is like
Shooters are built around aiming and firing, from first-person corridor blasters and light-gun games to run-and-gun stages and multidirectional arcade shooters.
Tip for newcomers: Retro shooters were designed for CRT TVs and original controllers; light-gun games in particular need special hardware or alternative controls on modern screens.
Gyruss cheats & codes
36 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | AEEOIEZA |
|---|---|
| Start With 1 Ship | PAXEGLGA |
| Start With 10 Ships | ZAXEGLGE |
| Start With 4 Phasers | GAKEATPA |
| Start With 8 Phasers | AAKEATPE |
| Gain 2 Phasers When You Die | ZEEPYAPA |
Gyruss walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Gyruss.
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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.
Gyruss FAQ
When did Gyruss come out on the NES?
Gyruss was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989; the original game dates back to 1988.
Who made Gyruss?
It was developed by Konami and published by Ultra Games.
Is Gyruss multiplayer?
No. Gyruss is a single-player game.
How long does Gyruss take to play?
As a shooter, Gyruss 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 Gyruss 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.