Battle City Classic Co-op
Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up
Thunderbirds
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | Pack In Video |
| Publisher | Activision |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Deep cut |
Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989, Thunderbirds is a shoot 'em up developed by Pack In Video and published by Activision.
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.
Pack In Video also made Friday the 13th, Die Hard and Rambo for the NES.
Thunderbirds is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
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've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Thunderbirds 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.
Thunderbirds cheats & codes
24 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Don't Lose Life Points When Colliding With Enemy | SXNTOVVK |
|---|---|
| Don't Lose Life Points When Hit | SZUVUNVK |
| Don't Lose Energy Points When Colliding With Enemy | SXNVVVVK |
| Don't Lose Energy Points When Hit | SZKVENVK |
| 81 Days To Defeat Hood | PSEKIVGL |
| 30 Days To Defeat Hood | TOEKIVGU |
Thunderbirds walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Thunderbirds.
If you like Thunderbirds, the Matrix also picks…
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Contra Force Classic
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Salamander Classic Co-op
Contra Classic
Doraemon Classic
The Guardian Legend 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.
Thunderbirds FAQ
When did Thunderbirds come out on the NES?
Thunderbirds was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989.
Who made Thunderbirds?
It was developed by Pack In Video and published by Activision.
Is Thunderbirds multiplayer?
No. Thunderbirds is a single-player game.
How long does Thunderbirds take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Thunderbirds 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.
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.