Thexder was published by Game Arts, released in 1985.

What kind of game is Thexder?

Thexder is a action, platform, shooter game for the NES / Famicom.

Can two people play Thexder?

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

How much data does Thexder load?

The Thexder ROM is 17 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 Thexder?

Thexder 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.

Thexder Game (1985) - NES

Name: Thexder
Availability: InStock
Author: Game Arts

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 ⚡

Thexder is a 1985 action-shooter developed by Game Arts for the NES. You pilot a transforming mech that can shift between a bipedal robot and a fighter jet on the fly, navigating sprawling, maze-like stages. Rather than simple platforming, it focuses on resource management, as you blast through hordes of enemies while carefully monitoring your energy levels.

How to play

Your objective is to survive each labyrinthine stage and reach the exit before running out of energy, which acts as both your health pool and ammunition. Use the Arrow keys to move your mech or steer your jet form. Press X to fire your homing laser, and Z to deploy a temporary shield. Press Shift for Select and Enter for Start. Pressing Up or Down changes your form depending on your current mode.

Tips

Your shield consumes a significant amount of energy when activated. Use it only when unavoidable, such as when passing through heavily guarded choke points.
Destroying enemies frequently drops energy pickups. Since firing your laser drains your reserves, try to lock onto groups to maximise your energy return.
Transforming into a jet is essential for clearing large gaps and moving through narrow corridors, but remember you are highly vulnerable in this form.