Nintendo Entertainment System · Strategy
Nobunaga's Ambition
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 (originally 1986) |
| Genre | Strategy |
| Developer | Koei |
| Publisher | Koei |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Weekend project (Roughly 6–20 hours) |
| Series | Nobunaga's Ambition (Nobunaga no Yabou) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 3 |
Developed by Koei, Nobunaga's Ambition arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989 as a strategy game. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1986.
It landed about 4 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1989 include Mother, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and DuckTales. Among the 36 NES strategy games in our database, it ranks #20 by legacy score.
It is part of the Nobunaga's Ambition (Nobunaga no Yabou) series; on the NES you can also try Nobunaga's Ambition II. The series also appears on other systems with Nobunaga's Ambition (SNES) and Nobunaga's Ambition (Game Boy). Koei also made Gemfire, Bandit Kings of Ancient China and Genghis Khan for the NES.
Nobunaga's Ambition is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to think and plan
- you have time for a weekend project (roughly 6–20 hours)
- you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you want quick action without planning ahead
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Nobunaga's Ambition is like
Strategy games reward planning over reflexes: command armies, manage resources and outthink opponents on turn-based or real-time battlefields.
Tip for newcomers: Read the manual or tutorial if one exists: retro strategy games often assume you know their rules. Save between missions.
Nobunaga's Ambition cheats & codes
55 codes on file (Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Emulator memory codes codes to start with:
| Head Enemy Unit Has 0 Energy | 6FC6:00 |
|---|---|
| Age Modifier | 752F:00 |
| Max Health | 7530:FF |
| Max Drive | 7531:FF |
| Max Luck | 7532:FF |
| Max Charisma | 7533:FF |
Nobunaga's Ambition walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Nobunaga's Ambition.
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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.
Nobunaga's Ambition FAQ
When did Nobunaga's Ambition come out on the NES?
Nobunaga's Ambition was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989; the original game dates back to 1986.
Who made Nobunaga's Ambition?
It was developed by Koei.
Is Nobunaga's Ambition multiplayer?
No. Nobunaga's Ambition is a single-player game.
How long does Nobunaga's Ambition take to play?
As a strategy game, Nobunaga's Ambition 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 Nobunaga's Ambition 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.