Hammerin' Harry NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer

Hammerin' Harry

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1991
GenrePlatformer
DeveloperIrem
PublisherIrem
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 2

Developed by Irem, Hammerin' Harry arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991 as a platformer.

It landed about 6 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1991 include Pac-Man, Battletoads and Yoshi.

Irem also made Kid Niki: Radical Ninja, 10-Yard Fight and Kickle Cubicle for the NES.

Hammerin' Harry is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

Pick it if…

  • you want to run, jump and explore
  • 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 get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Hammerin' Harry is like

Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.

Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.

Hammerin' Harry gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Hammerin' Harry cheats & codes

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

Infinite Energy (Except Against Spikes)SXULUKSE
Infinite LivesSZKZKOVK

See all Hammerin' Harry cheats

Hammerin' Harry walkthroughs & guides

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

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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.

Hammerin' Harry FAQ

When did Hammerin' Harry come out on the NES?

Hammerin' Harry was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991.

Who made Hammerin' Harry?

It was developed by Irem.

Is Hammerin' Harry multiplayer?

No. Hammerin' Harry is a single-player game.

How long does Hammerin' Harry take to play?

As a platformer, Hammerin' Harry 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.

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