Battle City Classic Co-op
Nintendo Entertainment System · Shoot 'em Up
Thundercade
Deep cut
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 (originally 1987) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up |
| Developer | SETA Corporation |
| Publisher | Sammy |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 2 |
Developed by SETA Corporation and published by Sammy, Thundercade arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989 as a shoot 'em up. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1987.
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.
Thundercade 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 dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Thundercade 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.
Thundercade cheats & codes
26 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | GXVYPZVI |
|---|---|
| Start With 1 Life | PAOYIILA |
| Start With 6 Lives | TAOYIILA |
| Start With 9 Lives | PAOYIILE |
| Infinite Missiles | AAUNLIPP |
| Infinite Bombs | GZXYZTVI |
Thundercade walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Thundercade.
If you like Thundercade, the Matrix also picks…
Jackal Classic Co-op
Contra Force Classic
Ikari Warriors Classic Co-op
Salamander Classic Co-op
Contra Classic
Block Hole Classic
Space Invaders 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.
Thundercade FAQ
When did Thundercade come out on the NES?
Thundercade was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989; the original game dates back to 1987.
Who made Thundercade?
It was developed by SETA Corporation and published by Sammy.
Is Thundercade multiplayer?
Yes. Thundercade supports up to 2 players.
How long does Thundercade take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Thundercade 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 Thundercade 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.