Victory Road Deep cut
Nintendo Entertainment System · Action / Beat 'em Up
Ikari III: The Rescue
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1991 (originally 1989) |
| Genre | Action, Beat 'em Up |
| Developer | SNK |
| Publisher | SNK |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Ikari |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 2 |
Developed by SNK, Ikari III: The Rescue arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991 as an action game. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1989. It blends action and beat 'em up elements.
It landed about 6 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1991 include Pac-Man, Battletoads and Yoshi.
It is part of the Ikari series; on the NES you can also try Ikari Warriors and Victory Road. The series also appears on other systems with Ikari Warriors (2600) and Ikari Warriors (7800). SNK also made P.O.W.: Prisoners of War, Alpha Mission and Baseball Stars for the NES.
Ikari III: The Rescue 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 Ikari III: The Rescue 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.
Ikari III: The Rescue cheats & codes
35 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Start With 1 Life | PEOKUALA |
|---|---|
| Start With 6 Lives | TEOKUALA |
| Start With 9 Lives | PEOKUALE |
| 1 Life After Continue | PEXKZLLA |
| 6 Lives After Continue | TEXKZLLA |
| 9 Lives After Continue | PEXKZLLE |
Ikari III: The Rescue walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Ikari III: The Rescue.
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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.
Ikari III: The Rescue FAQ
When did Ikari III: The Rescue come out on the NES?
Ikari III: The Rescue was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991; the original game dates back to 1989.
Who made Ikari III: The Rescue?
It was developed by SNK.
Is Ikari III: The Rescue multiplayer?
Yes. Ikari III: The Rescue supports up to 2 players.
How long does Ikari III: The Rescue take to play?
As an action game, Ikari III: The Rescue 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 Ikari III: The Rescue 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.