Final Fantasy Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · RPG
Swords and Serpents
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1990 |
| Genre | RPG |
| Developer | Activision |
| Publisher | Interplay |
| Players | 1–4 players |
| Commitment | Epic journey (20+ hours of adventure) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 5 |
Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990, Swords and Serpents is a role-playing game developed by Activision and published by Interplay.
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.
Activision also made Ultimate Air Combat, Predator and Shanghai for the NES.
Swords and Serpents supports up to 4 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- you have time for an epic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
- you have a friend to play against
- you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you want instant action rather than menus, story and grinding
- you only have a few minutes at a time
What playing Swords and Serpents is like
Role-playing games trade reflexes for strategy and story. You build a party, level up, manage equipment and travel across a large world, usually through menu-based battles.
Tip for newcomers: Retro RPGs can require some level grinding and rarely tell you exactly where to go next. Talk to every townsperson, save often and use a guide if you get stuck: there is no shame in it.
Swords and Serpents cheats & codes
113 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| All Characters Have Scale Armor | VANGKTVE |
|---|---|
| Warriors Start With A Great Sword | UEEKSTOE |
| Warriors Start With A Great Axe | KEEKSTOE |
| Magicians Start With A Wizard's Wand | SEEGETSE |
| Magicians Start With More Spells | YPKGSTLE |
| Magicians Have Greater Spells | LAKKXTAA |
Swords and Serpents walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Swords and Serpents.
If you like Swords and Serpents, the Matrix also picks…
Final Fantasy II Classic
Final Fantasy III Classic
Mother Classic
Dragon Quest Classic
Faxanadu 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.
Swords and Serpents FAQ
When did Swords and Serpents come out on the NES?
Swords and Serpents was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990.
Who made Swords and Serpents?
It was developed by Activision and published by Interplay.
Is Swords and Serpents multiplayer?
Yes. Swords and Serpents supports up to 4 players.
How long does Swords and Serpents take to play?
As a role-playing game, Swords and Serpents typically falls into the "Epic journey" category: 20+ hours of adventure. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Swords and Serpents 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.