The Lion King NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer

The Lion King

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1995 (originally 1994)
GenrePlatformer
DeveloperVirgin
PublisherVirgin
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyWell-known · legacy score 6

Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1995, The Lion King is a platformer developed by Virgin. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1994.

It landed about 10 years into the NES's life.

Virgin also made M.C. Kids for the NES.

The Lion King is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

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)

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 Lion King 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 Lion King gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

The Lion King cheats & codes

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

Infinite HealthSXSXSNVK
Infinite LivesSXNEAKVK

See all The Lion King cheats

The Lion King walkthroughs & guides

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

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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 Lion King FAQ

When did The Lion King come out on the NES?

The Lion King was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1995; the original game dates back to 1994.

Who made The Lion King?

It was developed by Virgin.

Is The Lion King multiplayer?

No. The Lion King is a single-player game.

How long does The Lion King take to play?

As a platformer, The Lion King 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 Lion King 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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