Thexder Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Adventure
Maniac Mansion
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1988 (originally 1987) |
| Genre | Adventure |
| Developer | Realtime Associates |
| Publisher | Jaleco |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Weekend project (Roughly 6–20 hours) |
| Series | Maniac Mansion |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 8 |
Maniac Mansion is an adventure game released in 1988 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Realtime Associates and published by Jaleco. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1987.
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 29 NES adventure games in our database, it ranks #4 by legacy score.
It is part of the Maniac Mansion series. Realtime Associates also made Caesars Palace, Monster Truck Rally and The Rocketeer for the NES.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- you have time for a weekend project (roughly 6–20 hours)
Maybe skip it if…
- you want fast action rather than puzzles and exploration
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Maniac Mansion is like
Adventure games focus on exploration, story and puzzle-solving rather than combat. Progress comes from examining your surroundings, collecting items and figuring out how they fit together.
Tip for newcomers: Classic adventure games can be cryptic by modern standards. Take notes, try everything on everything, and save before risky choices.
Maniac Mansion cheats & codes
8 codes on file (Game Genie, Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| All Codes Start Out As 0000 | SEXGKASZ |
|---|
Maniac Mansion walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Maniac Mansion.
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Ripple Island Deep cut
Akira Deep cut
Déjà Vu Deep cut
Erika to Satoru no Yume Bōken Deep cut
Shadowgate Deep cut
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.
Maniac Mansion FAQ
When did Maniac Mansion come out on the NES?
Maniac Mansion was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988; the original game dates back to 1987.
Who made Maniac Mansion?
It was developed by Realtime Associates and published by Jaleco.
Is Maniac Mansion multiplayer?
No. Maniac Mansion is a single-player game.
How long does Maniac Mansion take to play?
As an adventure game, Maniac Mansion typically falls into the "Weekend project" category: roughly 6–20 hours. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Maniac Mansion 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.