Faxanadu was published by Hudson Soft, released in 1987.

What kind of game is Faxanadu?

Faxanadu is a action, platform, rpg game for the NES / Famicom.

Can two people play Faxanadu?

No. Faxanadu is a single-player game, so it has no two-player mode.

How much data does Faxanadu load?

The Faxanadu ROM is 136 kB. It is fetched once when you press play and then cached by your browser, so returning to the game does not download it again.

Which emulators can run Faxanadu?

Faxanadu runs on NES / Famicom and Nestopia UE (Accurate). You can switch between them from the emulator list further down this page if one performs better on your device.

Faxanadu Game (1987) - NES

Name: Faxanadu
Availability: InStock
Author: Hudson Soft

Action / Button	Keyboard Key
D-Pad (Up / Down / Left / Right)	`Arrow Keys`
Button A	`Z` or `J`
Button B	`X` or `K`
Button X / Turbo A	`A` or `U`
Button Y / Turbo B	`S` or `I`
Select	`Shift`
Start	`Enter`

Gamepad Input	Retro Function	Keyboard Key
D-Pad / Analog	Character Movement / Steering	`▲` `▼` `◄` `►`
Button A (East)	Primary Action / Attack / Fire	`Z` / `K`
Button B (South)	Secondary / Jump / Cancel	`X` / `J`
Button X / Y	Special / Turbo / Extra Fire	`A` / `S`
Select	Insert Coin / Select Option	`Right Shift`
Start	Game Start / Pause Game	`Enter`

Gamepad Input

Retro Function

Keyboard Key

D-Pad / Analog

Character Movement / Steering

▲ ▼ ◄ ►

Button A (East)

Primary Action / Attack / Fire

Z / K

Button B (South)

Secondary / Jump / Cancel

X / J

Button X / Y

Special / Turbo / Extra Fire

A / S

Select

Insert Coin / Select Option

Right Shift

Start

Game Start / Pause Game

Enter

Emulator Core Engine	Technology	Multiplayer	Gamepad	Touch	Ads	Action / Switch
EmulatorJS (Default WebAssembly)	`WebAssembly / JS`	YES	YES	YES	NO	▶ ACTIVE
NES / Famicom (Recommended)	`WebAssembly / Libretro`	YES	YES	YES	NO	PLAY ⚡
Nestopia UE (Accurate)	`WebAssembly / Libretro`	YES	YES	YES	NO	PLAY ⚡

Emulator Core Engine

Technology

Multiplayer

Gamepad

Touch

Ads

Action / Switch

EmulatorJS (Default WebAssembly)

WebAssembly / JS

YES

▶ ACTIVE

NES / Famicom (Recommended)

WebAssembly / Libretro

YES

PLAY ⚡

Nestopia UE (Accurate)

WebAssembly / Libretro

YES

PLAY ⚡

Released in 1987 for the NES by Hudson Soft, Faxanadu is a side-scrolling action-RPG that branches off from the popular Dragon Slayer series. Rather than a traditional top-down perspective, you explore a vast, interconnected World Tree in a moody, atmospheric adventure built around methodical combat, equipment upgrades, and exploration.

How to play

You play as an elven wanderer returning to the hometown of Eolis, only to find it under siege by monsters, and must ascend the World Tree to defeat the Evil One. Navigate using the arrow keys, press X to jump, and use Z to swing your weapon. Press Enter to open the menu where you can equip different weapons, armor, and magic spells. Once magic is equipped, cast it by pressing Up and Z together.

Tips

Do not leave the starting town of Eolis unarmed. After visiting the King to get your initial gold, immediately visit the shop to buy a Hand Dagger, or you will be completely defenseless outside.
Your character automatically uses their equipped shield to block projectiles when standing still or crouching, so approach ranged enemies patiently.
Always speak to a Guru before leaving a town. They will give you a Mantra (password) and restore your health and magic in exchange for golds.