Nintendo Entertainment System · RPG
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1987 |
| Genre | RPG |
| Developer | Sir-tech |
| Publisher | NEXOFT Corporation |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Epic journey (20+ hours of adventure) |
| Series | Wizardry |
| Legacy | Deep cut |
Developed by Sir-tech and published by NEXOFT Corporation, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987 as a role-playing game.
It landed about 2 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1987 include Final Fantasy, Metal Gear and Mega Man.
It is part of the Wizardry series; on the NES you can also try Wizardry: Knight of Diamonds: The Second Scenario. The series also appears on other systems with Wizardry II: The Knight of Diamonds (C64) and Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom (SNES).
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- you have time for an epic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
- you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you want instant action rather than menus, story and grinding
- you are looking for something to play with friends
- you only have a few minutes at a time
What playing Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is like
Role-playing games trade reflexes for strategy and story. You build a party, level up, manage equipment and travel across a large world, usually through menu-based battles.
Tip for newcomers: Retro RPGs can require some level grinding and rarely tell you exactly where to go next. Talk to every townsperson, save often and use a guide if you get stuck: there is no shame in it.
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord cheats & codes
171 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Anointed Mace Costs Nothing Instead Of 30 | AEVEIPAL |
|---|---|
| Long Sword Costs Nothing Instead Of 25 | AAVEIPIZ |
| Short Sword Costs Nothing Instead Of 15 | AEXEIPIP |
| Small Shield Costs Nothing Instead Of 20 | AEVEIZAZ |
| Staff Costs Nothing Instead Of 10 | AAVEIZAP |
| Dagger Costs Nothing Instead Of 15 | AEXEIZIA |
See all Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord cheats
If you like Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, the Matrix also picks…
Final Fantasy Classic
Final Fantasy II Classic
Final Fantasy III Classic
Dragon Quest Classic
Mother Classic
Faxanadu 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.
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord FAQ
When did Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord come out on the NES?
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987.
Who made Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord?
It was developed by Sir-tech and published by NEXOFT Corporation.
Is Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord multiplayer?
No. Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is a single-player game.
How long does Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord take to play?
As a role-playing game, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord typically falls into the "Epic journey" category: 20+ hours of adventure. 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.