Heavy Barrel NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Action / Shooter

Heavy Barrel

Deep cut Co-op

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1990 (originally 1987)
GenreAction, Shooter
DeveloperData East
PublisherData East
Players1–2 players (co-op)
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 4

Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990, Heavy Barrel is an action game developed by Data East. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1987. It blends action and shooter elements.

It landed about 5 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1990 include Final Fantasy III, Dr. Mario and Mega Man 3.

Data East also made Werewolf: The Last Warrior, Cobra Command and Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja for the NES.

Heavy Barrel supports up to 2 players, including cooperative play, which makes it a strong pick for playing with a friend.

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 want a game to beat together with a friend
  • 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 Heavy Barrel 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.

Heavy Barrel gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Heavy Barrel cheats & codes

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

Auto-Fire For Player 1ENSTPVSN
Auto-Fire For Player 2EYNVINSN
Hand Weapons Last 4 Times LongerAEKVXLII
Only 1 Hand WeaponZAOVEPAA
Infinite Hand Weapons On Pick-Up For Players 1 And 2ENVVKLEI
Infinite Hand Weapons And Firearms On Pick-Up For Players 1 And 2OXVVVLVS

See all Heavy Barrel cheats

Heavy Barrel walkthroughs & guides

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

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Ikki 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.

Heavy Barrel FAQ

When did Heavy Barrel come out on the NES?

Heavy Barrel was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990; the original game dates back to 1987.

Who made Heavy Barrel?

It was developed by Data East.

Is Heavy Barrel multiplayer?

Yes. Heavy Barrel supports up to 2 players, including co-op play.

How long does Heavy Barrel take to play?

As an action game, Heavy Barrel 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 Heavy Barrel 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