Doraemon Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up / Action-Adventure
The Guardian Legend
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1988 |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Action-Adventure |
| Developer | Compile |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 12 |
Developed by Compile and published by Nintendo, The Guardian Legend arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988 as a shoot 'em up. It blends shoot 'em up and action-adventure elements.
It landed about 3 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1988 include Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Final Fantasy II. Among the 84 NES shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #9 by legacy score.
Compile also made Gun-Nac, Godzilla: Monster of Monsters and Lunar Pool 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 a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing The Guardian Legend is like
Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.
Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.
The Guardian Legend cheats & codes
93 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Energy | AAXTIUNY |
|---|---|
| Start With Less Energy | AXVAIAAG |
| Start With More Energy | EEVAIAAG |
| Start On Area 1 | PAKVELAA |
| Start On Area 3 | LAKVELAA |
| Start On Area 5 | IAKVELAA |
The Guardian Legend walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for The Guardian Legend.
If you like The Guardian Legend, the Matrix also picks…
Battle City Classic Co-op
R-Type Classic
Space Invaders Classic
Jackal Classic Co-op
Ikari Warriors Classic Co-op
Salamander Classic Co-op
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 Guardian Legend FAQ
When did The Guardian Legend come out on the NES?
The Guardian Legend was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988.
Who made The Guardian Legend?
It was developed by Compile and published by Nintendo.
Is The Guardian Legend multiplayer?
No. The Guardian Legend is a single-player game.
How long does The Guardian Legend take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, The Guardian Legend typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about The Guardian Legend 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.