The Astyanax NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer / Adventure

The Astyanax

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1990 (originally 1989)
GenrePlatformer, Adventure
DeveloperJaleco
PublisherJaleco
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
ESRBE
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 3

The Astyanax is a platformer released in 1990 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Jaleco. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Astyanax. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1989. It blends platformer 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.

Jaleco also made City Connection, Field Combat and Ninja JaJaMaru-kun for the NES.

This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.

Pick it if…

  • you want to run, jump and explore
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing The Astyanax is like

Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.

Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.

The Astyanax gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

The Astyanax cheats & codes

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

Infinite Spell EnergyAUEKGUAP
Infinite Life EnergySZUGTISA
Double Life And Spell EnergyAZKAVZGO
Start With Blast SpellPAKEKZAA
Start With Bind SpellZAKEKZAA
Start With Extra Weapon PowerGPKAXZGA

See all The Astyanax cheats

The Astyanax walkthroughs & guides

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

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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 Astyanax FAQ

When did The Astyanax come out on the NES?

The Astyanax was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990; the original game dates back to 1989.

Who made The Astyanax?

It was developed by Jaleco.

Is The Astyanax multiplayer?

No. The Astyanax is a single-player game.

How long does The Astyanax take to play?

As a platformer, The Astyanax 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 Astyanax 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