The Three Stooges NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Beat 'em Up / Platformer

The Three Stooges

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1989 (originally 1987)
GenreBeat 'em Up, Platformer
DeveloperCinemaware
PublisherActivision
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 1

Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989, The Three Stooges is a beat 'em up developed by Cinemaware and published by Activision. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1987. It blends beat 'em up and platformer elements.

It landed about 4 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1989 include Mother, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and DuckTales. Among the 20 NES beat 'em ups in our database, it ranks #19 by legacy score.

Cinemaware also made Rocket Ranger for the NES.

The Three Stooges supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

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 have a friend to play against
  • you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you want depth and variety over simple, satisfying brawling

What playing The Three Stooges is like

Beat 'em ups send you down scrolling streets fighting waves of thugs with punches, kicks, throws and grabbed weapons. Most can be finished in a single sitting and shine with a second player.

Tip for newcomers: Avoid getting surrounded: keep enemies on one side of you and save your special attacks for crowds. Bring a friend if the game supports co-op.

The Three Stooges gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

The Three Stooges cheats & codes

10 codes on file (Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Emulator memory codes codes to start with:

Infinite Pies (In Pie-Throwing Contest)0092:09
Always Day 1007C:01
Boxing Round Always Set To 100AA:01
Stooge Moves Faster (When Running During Boxing Match)0072:01
Mini-Game Option Timer Starts At X Modifier (0 - 9)00D8:00
Infinite Time In Hospital Mini-Game (One's Digit)0099:09

See all The Three Stooges cheats

The Three Stooges walkthroughs & guides

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

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Renegade NES · 1988 · Beat 'em Up Deep cut

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 Three Stooges FAQ

When did The Three Stooges come out on the NES?

The Three Stooges was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989; the original game dates back to 1987.

Who made The Three Stooges?

It was developed by Cinemaware and published by Activision.

Is The Three Stooges multiplayer?

Yes. The Three Stooges supports up to 2 players.

How long does The Three Stooges take to play?

As a beat 'em up, The Three Stooges 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 Three Stooges 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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