SonSon NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up / Platformer

SonSon

Deep cut Co-op

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1986 (originally 1984)
GenreShoot 'em Up, Platformer
DeveloperCapcom
PublisherCapcom
Players1–2 players (co-op)
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 3

SonSon is a shoot 'em up released in 1986 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Capcom. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1984. It blends shoot 'em up and platformer elements.

It came out in the NES's second year on the market. Other notable NES releases from 1986 include Arkanoid, Metroid and Dragon Quest.

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

SonSon 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've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets

What playing SonSon 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.

SonSon gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

SonSon cheats & codes

3 codes on file (Other codes). Here are a few Other codes codes to start with:

Infinite Lives0431:03
Start With 9 LivesPEGASU
Infinite LivesSUALLN

See all SonSon cheats

SonSon walkthroughs & guides

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

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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.

SonSon FAQ

When did SonSon come out on the NES?

SonSon was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986; the original game dates back to 1984.

Who made SonSon?

It was developed by Capcom.

Is SonSon multiplayer?

Yes. SonSon supports up to 2 players, including co-op play.

How long does SonSon take to play?

As a shoot 'em up, SonSon 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 SonSon 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