Super Nintendo · Shoot 'em Up / Shooter
Total Carnage
| System | Super Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Released | 1993 |
| Genre | Shoot 'em Up, Shooter |
| Developer | Black Pearl Software |
| Publisher | Malibu Games |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 6 |
Released for the Super Nintendo in 1993, Total Carnage is a shoot 'em up developed by Black Pearl Software and published by Malibu Games. It blends shoot 'em up and shooter elements.
It landed about 2 years into the SNES's life. Other notable SNES releases from 1993 include Super Mario All-Stars, Secret of Mana and The Lost Vikings. Among the 53 SNES shoot 'em ups in our database, it ranks #15 by legacy score.
Black Pearl Software also made The Mask, Urban Strike and NHL 97 for the SNES.
Total Carnage 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
Maybe skip it if…
- you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets
What playing Total Carnage 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.
Total Carnage cheats & codes
56 codes on file (Game Genie, Pro Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Start With 2 Lives | DFC3-44D2 |
|---|---|
| Start With 10 Lives | DBC3-44D2 |
| Start With 9 Time Bombs | DBCD-1DD2 |
| Join In With 2 Lives And 3 Time Bombs | DFBC-47D4 |
| Join In With 10 Lives And 9 Time Bombs | DBBC-47D4 |
| Infinite Lives | C932-341E |
Total Carnage walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Total Carnage.
If you like Total Carnage, the Matrix also picks…
Zombies Ate My Neighbors Classic Co-op
Space Invaders Classic
Sunset Riders Co-op
Desert Strike Classic
Ghoul Patrol Co-op
A.S.P. Air Strike Patrol Deep cut
Choplifter III Deep cut
Playing SNES games today
The SNES library has aged exceptionally well, especially its RPGs, platformers and puzzle games. A large selection is available on Nintendo Switch Online, and if you own the cartridges you can play your backups in an emulator such as Rec0m88, including online with friends.
Total Carnage FAQ
When did Total Carnage come out on the SNES?
Total Carnage was released for the Super Nintendo in 1993.
Who made Total Carnage?
It was developed by Black Pearl Software and published by Malibu Games.
Is Total Carnage multiplayer?
Yes. Total Carnage supports up to 2 players.
How long does Total Carnage take to play?
As a shoot 'em up, Total Carnage 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 Total Carnage 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.