Section Z NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up

Section Z

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1987 (originally 1985)
GenreShoot 'em Up
DeveloperCapcom
PublisherCapcom
Players1 player
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 3

Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, Section Z is a shoot 'em up developed by Capcom. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1985.

It landed about 2 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1987 include Final Fantasy, Metal Gear and Mega Man.

Capcom also made Mega Man, Mega Man 2 and Mega Man 3 for the NES.

Section Z is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

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've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Section Z 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.

Section Z gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Section Z cheats & codes

25 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:

Infinite LivesSXOPUIVG
Start With 1 LifePEXSIZLA
Start With 6 LivesTEXSIZLA
Start With 9 LivesPEXSIZLE
Energy Tube Gives Full Energy BoostZAUNUZAE
Auto-Firing CapabilityNNNOUTSY

See all Section Z cheats

Section Z walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Section Z.

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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.

Section Z FAQ

When did Section Z come out on the NES?

Section Z was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987; the original game dates back to 1985.

Who made Section Z?

It was developed by Capcom.

Is Section Z multiplayer?

No. Section Z is a single-player game.

How long does Section Z take to play?

As a shoot 'em up, Section Z 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 Section Z 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.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you