The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Shooter / Platformer

The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner

Certified classic

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1987
GenreShooter, Platformer, Shoot 'em Up
DeveloperSquare
PublisherAcclaim
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
ESRBE
LegacyCertified classic · legacy score 10

The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner is a shooter released in 1987 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Square and published by Acclaim. Depending on the region, you may also know it as 3-D WorldRunner. It blends shooter, platformer and shoot 'em up elements.

It landed about 2 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1987 include Final Fantasy, Metal Gear and Mega Man. Among the 33 NES shooters in our database, it ranks #7 by legacy score.

Square also made Rad Racer, King's Knight and Rad Racer II 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 an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you want to experience one of the NES's defining games

Maybe skip it if…

  • you are not a fan of fast-paced aiming and twitch reflexes
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner is like

Shooters are built around aiming and firing, from first-person corridor blasters and light-gun games to run-and-gun stages and multidirectional arcade shooters.

Tip for newcomers: Retro shooters were designed for CRT TVs and original controllers; light-gun games in particular need special hardware or alternative controls on modern screens.

The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner cheats & codes

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

Infinite LivesAEUOLTPA
Freeze TimerSXUPZGVG
Slow Down TimerNNXOYGEK
Speed Up TimerAVXOYGEG
Start With And Keep Laser MissilesAEUOVIGA
AutofireOXUONISX

See all The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner cheats

The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner.

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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.

The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner FAQ

When did The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner come out on the NES?

The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987.

Who made The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner?

It was developed by Square and published by Acclaim.

Is The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner multiplayer?

No. The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner is a single-player game.

How long does The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner take to play?

As a shooter, The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about The 3-D Battles of Worldrunner 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.

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