Silver Surfer NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up

Silver Surfer

Certified classic

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1990
GenreShoot 'em Up
DeveloperSoftware Creations
PublisherArcadia Systems
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyCertified classic · legacy score 10

Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990, Silver Surfer is a shoot 'em up developed by Software Creations and published by Arcadia Systems.

It landed about 5 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1990 include Final Fantasy III, Dr. Mario and Mega Man 3. Among the 84 NES shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #18 by legacy score.

Software Creations also made Solstice, Treasure Master and Wolverine for the NES.

Silver Surfer supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

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 have a friend to play against
  • 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 Silver Surfer 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.

Silver Surfer gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Silver Surfer cheats & codes

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

1 Life For Player 1PAOILIIA
1 Life For Player 2PAKSGIIA
Player 1 Starts With 5 Smart BombsIAXSGIPA
Player 2 Starts With 5 Smart BombsIAVIIIPA
Infinite Lives For Both PlayersSXEKSNVK
Infinite Smart Bombs For Both PlayersNYVTLVGO

See all Silver Surfer cheats

Silver Surfer walkthroughs & guides

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

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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.

Silver Surfer FAQ

When did Silver Surfer come out on the NES?

Silver Surfer was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990.

Who made Silver Surfer?

It was developed by Software Creations and published by Arcadia Systems.

Is Silver Surfer multiplayer?

Yes. Silver Surfer supports up to 2 players.

How long does Silver Surfer take to play?

As a shoot 'em up, Silver Surfer 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 Silver Surfer 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