Super Mario Bros. 3 Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer / Shooter
Rolling Thunder
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 (originally 1986) |
| Genre | Platformer, Shooter |
| Developer | Tengen |
| Publisher | Namco |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Rolling Thunder |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 3 |
Rolling Thunder is a platformer released in 1989 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Tengen and published by Namco. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1986. It blends platformer and shooter elements.
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.
It is part of the Rolling Thunder series. The series also appears on other systems with Rolling Thunder 2 (Genesis) and Rolling Thunder 3 (Genesis). Tengen also made Shinobi, Toobin' and Klax for the NES.
Rolling Thunder is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Rolling Thunder is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Rolling Thunder cheats & codes
18 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Start With 1 Life | PEOVLALA |
|---|---|
| Start With 6 Lives | TEOVLALA |
| Start With 9 Lives | PEOVLALE |
| Stop Timer | SZEVYZVG |
| Start With 1 Life After Continue | PASPYZLA |
| Start With 6 Lives After Continue | TASPYZLA |
Rolling Thunder walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Rolling Thunder.
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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.
Rolling Thunder FAQ
When did Rolling Thunder come out on the NES?
Rolling Thunder was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989; the original game dates back to 1986.
Who made Rolling Thunder?
It was developed by Tengen and published by Namco.
Is Rolling Thunder multiplayer?
No. Rolling Thunder is a single-player game.
How long does Rolling Thunder take to play?
As a platformer, Rolling Thunder typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Rolling Thunder 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.