Nintendo Entertainment System · RPG
The Bard's Tale
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1990 (originally 1985) |
| Genre | RPG |
| Developer | Atelier Double |
| Publisher | FCI |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Epic journey (20+ hours of adventure) |
| Series | The Bard's Tale |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 5 |
The Bard's Tale is a role-playing game released in 1990 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Atelier Double and published by FCI. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1985.
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.
It is part of the The Bard's Tale series; on the NES you can also try The Bard's Tale II: The Destiny Knight. The series also appears on other systems with The Bard's Tale (C64) and The Bard's Tale II: The Destiny Knight (C64). Atelier Double also made Dragons of Flame for the NES.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- you have time for an epic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
- 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 are looking for something to play with friends
- you only have a few minutes at a time
What playing The Bard's Tale 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.
The Bard's Tale cheats & codes
17 codes on file (Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Emulator memory codes codes to start with:
| Take No Damage In Battle | ATSOOZOL |
|---|---|
| Infinite Magic In Battle | ENVPYTLE |
| Torch Never Dies | 02C9:39 |
| Gain 800-1040 EXP And 355-404 Gold After Every Battle | 033E:C8 |
| Infinite AC | 6AA5:63 |
| Infinite HP | 6AA6:FF |
The Bard's Tale walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for The Bard's Tale.
If you like The Bard's Tale, the Matrix also picks…
Final Fantasy Classic
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.
The Bard's Tale FAQ
When did The Bard's Tale come out on the NES?
The Bard's Tale was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990; the original game dates back to 1985.
Who made The Bard's Tale?
It was developed by Atelier Double and published by FCI.
Is The Bard's Tale multiplayer?
No. The Bard's Tale is a single-player game.
How long does The Bard's Tale take to play?
As a role-playing game, The Bard's Tale 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 The Bard's Tale 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.