PlayStation · Shoot 'em Up / Shooter
Descent
Co-op
| System | PlayStation |
|---|---|
| Released | 1996 (originally 1995) |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Shooter, Action |
| Developer | Parallax Software Corporation |
| Publisher | Interplay |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Descent |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 6 |
Developed by Parallax Software Corporation and published by Interplay, Descent arrived on the PlayStation in 1996 as a shoot 'em up. This PS1 release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1995. It blends shoot 'em up, shooter and action elements.
It came out in the PS1's second year on the market. Other notable PS1 releases from 1996 include Resident Evil, Tomb Raider and Crash Bandicoot. Among the 60 PS1 shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #15 by legacy score.
It is part of the Descent series; on the PS1 you can also try Descent II.
Descent 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)
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Descent 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.
Descent cheats & codes
28 codes on file (Action Replay, GameShark). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:
| Infinite energy | 800D1816
0064 |
|---|---|
| Infinite shields | 800D181A
0064 |
| All keys & 4x Laser | 800D1810
06FF |
| Max. Laser-End-Value | 800D181E
0006 |
| All primary-weapons active | 800D1822
FFFF |
| Concussion-Missiles | 800D182E
000F |
Descent walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Descent.
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Playing PS1 games today
PS1 games range from quick arcade racers to 60-hour RPGs. A selection is available through PlayStation Plus Premium, and if you own the discs you can play your backups in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Descent FAQ
When did Descent come out on the PS1?
Descent was released for the PlayStation in 1996; the original game dates back to 1995.
Who made Descent?
It was developed by Parallax Software Corporation and published by Interplay.
Is Descent multiplayer?
No. Descent is a single-player game.
How long does Descent take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Descent 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 Descent 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.