Lemmings NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Puzzle / Strategy

Lemmings

Certified classic

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1992 (originally 1991)
GenrePuzzle, Strategy
DeveloperOcean
PublisherSunsoft
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
SeriesLemmings
ESRBE
LegacyCertified classic · legacy score 11

Lemmings is a puzzle game released in 1992 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Ocean and published by Sunsoft. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1991. It blends puzzle and strategy elements.

It landed about 7 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1992 include Mega Man 4, Mega Man 5 and Yoshi's Cookie. Among the 49 NES puzzle games in our database, it ranks #9 by legacy score.

It is part of the Lemmings series. The series also appears on other systems with Lemmings (SNES) and Lemmings (Genesis). Ocean also made Jurassic Park, The Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt and Hudson Hawk for the NES.

Lemmings supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to think and plan
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you want to experience one of the NES's defining games

Maybe skip it if…

  • you want story, exploration or action

What playing Lemmings is like

Puzzle games challenge pattern recognition, planning and quick thinking, from falling-block games to single-screen logic puzzles.

Tip for newcomers: Puzzle games are perfect for short sessions and often have endless or score-attack modes, so they never really end.

Lemmings gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Lemmings cheats & codes

32 codes on file (Game Genie, Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:

Infinite TimeSXUTLAVG
Infinite ClimbersSZVVTPVG
Infinite FloatersSXOVAPVG
Infinite BombersSXKTYPVG
Infinite BlockersSZOTPZVG
Infinite BuildersSZVTPZVG

See all Lemmings cheats

Lemmings walkthroughs & guides

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

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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.

Lemmings FAQ

When did Lemmings come out on the NES?

Lemmings was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992; the original game dates back to 1991.

Who made Lemmings?

It was developed by Ocean and published by Sunsoft.

Is Lemmings multiplayer?

Yes. Lemmings supports up to 2 players.

How long does Lemmings take to play?

As a puzzle game, Lemmings 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 Lemmings 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.

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