Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up
Salamander
Certified classic Co-op
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1987 |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Players | 1–2 players (co-op) |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Gradius |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 16 |
Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, Salamander is a shoot 'em up developed by Konami. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Life Force or Life Force: Salamander.
It landed about 2 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1987 include Final Fantasy, Metal Gear and Mega Man. Among the 84 NES shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #6 by legacy score.
It is part of the Gradius series; on the NES you can also try Gradius II: Gofer's Ambition and Gradius. The series also appears on other systems with Salamander 2 (PS1) and Gradius Gaiden (PS1). Konami also made Metal Gear, Castlevania and Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse for the NES.
Salamander supports up to 2 players, including cooperative play, which makes it a strong pick for playing with a friend.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you want a game to beat together with a friend
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Salamander is like
Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.
Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.
Salamander cheats & codes
63 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | GZKGILVI |
|---|---|
| Start With 1 Life | PEKVNTLA |
| Start With 6 Lives | TEKVNTLA |
| Keep Pods After Death | GZSGLTSP |
| Start With Speed | PEKGPTAA |
| Start With Missile | ZEKGPTAA |
Salamander walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Salamander.
If you like Salamander, the Matrix also picks…
Jackal Classic Co-op
Contra Classic
Block Hole Classic
Battle City Classic Co-op
Contra Force 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.
Salamander FAQ
When did Salamander come out on the NES?
Salamander was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987.
Who made Salamander?
It was developed by Konami.
Is Salamander multiplayer?
Yes. Salamander supports up to 2 players, including co-op play.
How long does Salamander take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Salamander 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 Salamander 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.