Battle City Classic Co-op
Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up
Stargate
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1987 (originally 1981) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | HAL Laboratory |
| Publisher | HAL Laboratory |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 4 |
Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, Stargate is a shoot 'em up developed by HAL Laboratory. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Defender II. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1981.
It landed about 2 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1987 include Final Fantasy, Metal Gear and Mega Man.
HAL Laboratory also made Kirby's Adventure, Adventures of Lolo and Adventures of Lolo 2 for the NES.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
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 Stargate 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.
Stargate cheats & codes
22 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | GXTGEY |
|---|---|
| Infinite Smart Bombs | GXYSGI |
| Start With 1 Life | PELGNY |
| Start With 6 Lives | TELGNY |
| Start With 9 Lives | PELGNN |
| Invincibility | SXVIOTSA |
Stargate walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Stargate.
If you like Stargate, the Matrix also picks…
Space Invaders Classic
Jackal Classic Co-op
Ikari Warriors Classic Co-op
Salamander Classic Co-op
Contra Classic
Doraemon Classic
The Guardian Legend 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.
Stargate FAQ
When did Stargate come out on the NES?
Stargate was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987; the original game dates back to 1981.
Who made Stargate?
It was developed by HAL Laboratory.
Is Stargate multiplayer?
No. Stargate is a single-player game.
How long does Stargate take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Stargate 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 Stargate 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.