Nintendo Entertainment System · RPG
Pool of Radiance
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1991 (originally 1988) |
| Genre | RPG |
| Developer | Strategic Simulations |
| Publisher | FCI |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Epic journey (20+ hours of adventure) |
| Series | Dungeons & Dragons |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 4 |
Pool of Radiance is a role-playing game released in 1991 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Strategic Simulations and published by FCI. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Pool of Radiance. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1988.
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 Dungeons & Dragons series; on the NES you can also try Heroes of the Lance, Dragons of Flame and DragonStrike. The series also appears on other systems with Dungeons & Dragons: Warriors of the Eternal Sun (Genesis) and Eye of the Beholder (SNES).
Pool of Radiance is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- you have time for an epic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
- you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you want instant action rather than menus, story and grinding
- you are looking for something to play with friends
- you only have a few minutes at a time
What playing Pool of Radiance is like
Role-playing games trade reflexes for strategy and story. You build a party, level up, manage equipment and travel across a large world, usually through menu-based battles.
Tip for newcomers: Retro RPGs can require some level grinding and rarely tell you exactly where to go next. Talk to every townsperson, save often and use a guide if you get stuck: there is no shame in it.
Pool of Radiance walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Pool of Radiance.
If you like Pool of Radiance, the Matrix also picks…
Final Fantasy II Classic
Final Fantasy III Classic
Final Fantasy Classic
Mother Classic
Dragon Quest 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.
Pool of Radiance FAQ
When did Pool of Radiance come out on the NES?
Pool of Radiance was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991; the original game dates back to 1988.
Who made Pool of Radiance?
It was developed by Strategic Simulations and published by FCI.
Is Pool of Radiance multiplayer?
No. Pool of Radiance is a single-player game.
How long does Pool of Radiance take to play?
As a role-playing game, Pool of Radiance typically falls into the "Epic journey" category: 20+ hours of adventure. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Pool of Radiance 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.