Salamander Classic Co-op
Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up / Racing
Jackal
Certified classic Co-op
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1988 |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Racing |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Players | 1–2 players (co-op) |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 17 |
Developed by Konami, Jackal arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988 as a shoot 'em up. It blends shoot 'em up and racing elements.
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. Among the 84 NES shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #3 by legacy score.
Konami also made Metal Gear, Castlevania and Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse for the NES.
Jackal 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 a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you want a game to beat together with a friend
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Jackal 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.
Jackal cheats & codes
34 codes on file (Game Genie, Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Both Players Have Infinite Lives | SZPTSI |
|---|---|
| Both Players Start With 1 Life | PAPKXZ |
| Both Players Start With 9 Lives | PAPKXX |
| Keep Weapons After Death | GXZTSG |
| Full Weapons After Death | LEZTKG |
| Takes Away Some Enemies | KILLIT |
Jackal walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Jackal.
If you like Jackal, the Matrix also picks…
Contra Classic
Block Hole Classic
Crisis Force Classic
Battle City Classic Co-op
Contra Force Classic
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.
Jackal FAQ
When did Jackal come out on the NES?
Jackal was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988.
Who made Jackal?
It was developed by Konami.
Is Jackal multiplayer?
Yes. Jackal supports up to 2 players, including co-op play.
How long does Jackal take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Jackal 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 Jackal 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.