Zen: Intergalactic Ninja NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer

Zen: Intergalactic Ninja

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1993
GenrePlatformer
DeveloperKonami
PublisherKonami
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 4

Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993, Zen: Intergalactic Ninja is a platformer developed by Konami.

It landed about 8 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1993 include Kirby's Adventure, Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 2 and DuckTales 2.

Konami also made Metal Gear, Castlevania and Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse for the NES.

This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.

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)
  • you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Zen: Intergalactic Ninja 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.

Zen: Intergalactic Ninja gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Zen: Intergalactic Ninja cheats & codes

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

9 Lives Allowed In 'Options'ZAELNGIE
Infinite EnergyGZNLYUSE
Slower TimerNYNXVTOE
Faster TimerYTNXVTOE
Even Faster TimerYINXVTOE
Zen Does Increased Damage (Isometric Stages)AEUAOLGE

See all Zen: Intergalactic Ninja cheats

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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.

Zen: Intergalactic Ninja FAQ

When did Zen: Intergalactic Ninja come out on the NES?

Zen: Intergalactic Ninja was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993.

Who made Zen: Intergalactic Ninja?

It was developed by Konami.

Is Zen: Intergalactic Ninja multiplayer?

No. Zen: Intergalactic Ninja is a single-player game.

How long does Zen: Intergalactic Ninja take to play?

As a platformer, Zen: Intergalactic Ninja 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 Zen: Intergalactic Ninja 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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