Nintendo Entertainment System · Action-Adventure / Adventure
StarTropics
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1990 |
| Genre | Action-Adventure, Adventure |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Weekend project (Roughly 6–20 hours) |
| Series | StarTropics |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 14 |
Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990, StarTropics is an action-adventure game developed by Nintendo. It blends action-adventure and adventure elements.
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 68 NES action-adventure games in our database, it ranks #5 by legacy score.
It is part of the StarTropics series; on the NES you can also try Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II. Nintendo also made Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario Bros. 2 for the NES.
StarTropics is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- you have time for a weekend project (roughly 6–20 hours)
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you want a game you can finish in one short session
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing StarTropics is like
Action-adventures blend real-time combat with exploration, puzzles and item collection. You open up a larger world gradually as new tools let you reach places you couldn't before.
Tip for newcomers: Keep a mental (or paper) map of locked doors and unreachable ledges; most action-adventures expect you to come back once you find the right item.
StarTropics cheats & codes
87 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | SXETAKVK |
|---|---|
| 1 Life With A New Character | PASTYZLA |
| 6 Lives With A New Character | TASTYZLA |
| 1 Life After Continue | PAUTGILA |
| 6 Lives After Continue | TAUTGILA |
| Infinite Weapons | SUXXPSVS |
StarTropics walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for StarTropics.
If you like StarTropics, the Matrix also picks…
Metroid Classic
The Battle of Olympus Classic
Konami Wai Wai World Classic
The Legend of Zelda 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.
StarTropics FAQ
When did StarTropics come out on the NES?
StarTropics was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990.
Who made StarTropics?
It was developed by Nintendo.
Is StarTropics multiplayer?
No. StarTropics is a single-player game.
How long does StarTropics take to play?
As an action-adventure game, StarTropics typically falls into the "Weekend project" category: roughly 6–20 hours. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about StarTropics 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.