Metal Storm is a 1991 action platformer developed by Tamtex and published by Irem. Even to this day, the game remains exclusive to the Nintendo Entertainment System, although it can be found on emulators.
While the game received a decent reception from critics at the time, its popularity was hamstrung by a limited release. It was initially exclusive to North America, with a Japan release coming in 1992. Even still, it wasn’t available worldwide until a surprise release in 2019.
Metal Storm Premise
©Screenshot from Metal Storm.
Metal Storm is played from a side-scrolling perspective, taking you through six levels, all of which have two acts each. The main objective is to kill all of the enemies to progress. To do so, you’re given a fun arsenal of weapons and power-ups, including a gravity fireball and plasma beam. This type of game was fairly standard for the NES, but the game had one key mechanic that set it apart from the pack.
Metal Storm features a gravity switch mechanic, which allows you to completely switch the gravity at the push of a button. Using your gravity control weapon, you can make it so that the floor is the ceiling, and vice versa. Crucially, this isn’t something possible in just a few levels. You can do it anytime, meaning the entire level design philosophy is based around the existence of this mechanic. It’s a worthwhile experiment, even if it doesn’t always work.
There are drawbacks to the gravity control. Some of the levels are essentially copied and pasted across various points of the game, which can give players a bad sense of deja vu. In an already short game, it can be a big negative for some games.
Metal Storm Main Characters
©Screenshot from Metal Storm.
The story of Metal Storm takes a backseat to the gameplay. It takes place in 2501, telling as standard a sci-fi story as you could ever hope to find. Because of this, there is only one character of note – the protagonist. Here’s everything you need to know about them before playing:
- M-308 Gunner: The M-308 Gunner is a robot built specifically for the purpose of fighting. This is who you play as throughout Metal Storm, who heads to Pluto in order to save Earth from a malfunctioning defense system.
Metal Storm Titles in the Series
©Screenshot from Metal Storm.
Given the lack of popularity for Metal Storm in 1991, it’s no huge surprise that the game never received a sequel. It’s easier to try again with a fresh IP and hope for better results.
With no new release in over three decades, we wouldn’t hold our breath for more Metal Storm in the future. But we do live in an era where reviving niche old IPs for another crack at the whip isn’t uncommon. With that in mind, we’d never say never (but probably not).
- Metal Storm (1991)
Metal Storm Cheat Codes
©Screenshot from Metal Storm.
In Metal Storm, there are two types of cheat codes that you can use. Some are base game, meaning they were included in the original release by the developer. The others require the use of a Game Genie cartridge, a third-party tool that was available for the NES. In the absence of this, you can just enter the Game Genie codes on an emulator, instead.
Metal Storm Base Game Cheats
On the main menu of Metal Storm, you should have a button that says Password. This will take you to an interface where you can enter all of the following cheat codes. It should also be noted that the Japanese version has separate codes to other versions around the world, so we’ve even included those, too!
| Cheat Code | Cheat Effect |
|---|---|
| 8BF-SMCX-S8L | Start from Stage 1 in Expert Mode. |
| PS0-GHRK-2FK | Start from Stage 2 in Expert Mode. |
| SB0-7ZZH-J8B | Start from Stage 3 in Expert Mode. |
| !W5-QFHL-1X8 | Start from Stage 4 in Expert Mode. |
| R!1-1SZR-ZQ4 | Start from Stage 5 in Expert Mode. |
| 4QJ-!W3L-HNZ | Start from Stage 6 in Expert Mode. |
| M9V-KMWH-N4V | Start from Stage 7 in Expert Mode. |
| TPY MC2A XI5 | Start from Stage 1 in Expert Mode (Japanese Version only). |
| DME Z7RF 7D9 | Start from Stage 2 in Expert Mode (Japanese Version only). |
| LJE 9IZL TIT | Start from Stage 3 in Expert Mode (Japanese Version only). |
| HE9 1Y3Y A7M | Start from Stage 4 in Expert Mode (Japanese Version only). |
| 4Y9 TKRI NXO | Start from Stage 5 in Expert Mode (Japanese Version only). |
| C54 W827 X9U | Start from Stage 6 in Expert Mode (Japanese Version only). |
| TD1 C73W A3M | Start from Stage 7 in Expert Mode (Japanese Version only). |
| !MS-SC3W-NWS | Start from Stage 2 in Normal Mode. |
| 276 P3RF 7VJ | Start from Stage 3 in Normal Mode. |
| 44! PN22 LNO | Start from Stage 4 in Normal Mode. |
| DH4 GQCC BN7 | Start from Stage 5 in Normal Mode. |
| 8K6 3CR1 739 | Start from Stage 6 in Normal Mode. |
| 94J LZH3 93G | Start from Stage 7 in Normal Mode. |
| MZ3-86C8-872 | Start from Stage 1 in Expert Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives. |
| MZ3-HMC8-872 | Start from Stage 1 in Normal Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives. |
| MZ3-9SC8-872 | Start from Stage 2 in Expert Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives. |
| MZ3-S(Heart)C8-872 | Start from Stage 2 in Normal Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives. |
| MZ3-08C8-872 | Start from Stage 3 in Expert Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives. |
| MZ3-2HC8-872 | Start from Stage 3 in Normal Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives. |
| MZ3-19C8-872 | Start from Stage 4 in Expert Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives. |
| MZ3-R5C8-872 | Start from Stage 4 in Normal Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives. |
| MZ3-!0C8-872 | Start from Stage 5 in Expert Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives. |
| MZ3-J2C8-872 | Start from Stage 5 in Normal Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives. |
| MZ3-N1C8-872 | Start from Stage 6 in Expert Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives. |
| MZ3-6RC8-872 | Start from Stage 6 in Normal Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives. |
| MZ3-C!C8-872 | Start from Stage 7 in Expert Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives. |
| MZ3-SJC8-872 | Start from Stage 7 in Normal Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives. |
| 36G-4UFN-JC5 | Start from Stage 1 in Expert Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives (Japanese Version only). |
| 36G-K2FN-JC5 | Start from Stage 1 in Normal Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives (Japanese Version only). |
| 36G-A1FN-JC5 | Start from Stage 2 in Expert Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives (Japanese Version only). |
| 36G-7RFN-JC5 | Start from Stage 2 in Normal Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives (Japanese Version only). |
| 36G-ZYFN-JC5 | Start from Stage 3 in Expert Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives (Japanese Version only). |
| 36G-BJFN-JC5 | Start from Stage 3 in Normal Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives (Japanese Version only). |
| 36G-FNFN-JC5 | Start from Stage 4 in Expert Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives (Japanese Version only). |
| 36G-P6FN-JC5 | Start from Stage 4 in Normal Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives (Japanese Version only). |
| 36G-GCFN-JC5 | Start from Stage 5 in Expert Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives (Japanese Version only). |
| 36G-OEFN-JC5 | Start from Stage 5 in Normal Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives (Japanese Version only). |
| 36G-WMFN-JC5 | Start from Stage 6 in Expert Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives (Japanese Version only). |
| 36G-X8FN-JC5 | Start from Stage 6 in Normal Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives (Japanese Version only). |
| 36G-LIFN-JC5 | Start from Stage 7 in Expert Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives (Japanese Version only). |
| 36G-39FN-JC5 | Start from Stage 7 in Normal Mode with 500k+ score, all Power-Up items, and 127 lives (Japanese Version only). |
Metal Storm Game Genie Cheats
To use these cheats in Metal Storm, you’ve got to either own a Game Genie for the NES, or play the game on an emulator. Given how easy it is to emulate games nowadays, we’d recommend this route. Most emulators support the use of Game Genie cheats natively, so all of the below cheats should work perfectly.
| Cheat Code | Cheat Effect |
|---|---|
| AEYAAT | Allows you to kill bosses in one hit. |
| YAPEPV | Shield extends beyond barriers instantly, instead of having to hold in the direction for a brief moment. |
| AXKYPSGL | Makes the timer run faster. |
| LVGISZ | Reduces the amount of enemies in the game. |
| ALZEAI EEIAAI | Gives you an armor update. |
| EALEGG | Gives you Gravity Fireball. |
| EAPEAY | Gives you the Plasma Beam gun upgrade. |
| EAPAYY | Gives you Shield Force. |
| AASOYYPA | Gives you infinite lives. |
| SZNTGTSA SZOUIYSA | Gives you invincibility. |
| PAGALE PAGAGE PAGAIE PAGATE PAGAYE PAGEAE | Gives Player 1 maximum store. |
| PEVZNSAA XXVXXSSX GKVXUIIU ZNVXKIYA XVVXSSPX | Gives you moon jump. |
| AATEAI AATEPI AATEZI AATELI AATEGI AATEII AATETI AATEYI | Makes most enemies and projectiles stationary. |
| AESTKXGA | Gives you permanent fireball. |
| AESXXNGY | Gives you permanent shield. |
| EETAZG | Makes regular weapons fire through most walls. |
| AVKYPSGL | Slows down the in-game timer. |
| EAGATT | Makes the Stage 1 boss always vulnerable to attacks. |
| AAAELI AAAEGI AAAEII AAAETI AAAEYI | Makes it so that the Stage 2 boss can’t fire at you. |
| ZAPAIT | Makes the Stage 3 boss always vulnerable. |
| ZAPAIT ZAPATT ZAPAYT | Makes the Stage 6 boss always vulnerable. |
| TEXUNLZA | Makes you start with six lives. |
| PEXUNLZE | Makes you start with nine lives. |
| NNNLOLAE | Allows you to start with extra weapons. |
| IZGELY | Allows you to walk through enemies. |
Metal Storm Cheat Code FAQs
©Screenshot from Metal Storm.
How Do I Use Metal Storm Cheat Codes?
That depends on which type of cheats you’re using. If you’re using the base game cheats, then you just need to select the Password button on the main menu for the game, and enter the codes.
With the Game Genie codes, there should be a Cheats setting within your chosen emulator. Head in there, and you should have an option to use Game Genie cheats. Where this is found will differ depending on what emulator you’re using. Once you’ve found this, enter the cheat codes and they should work perfectly.
Which Version of Metal Storm Cheats Should I Use?
If you’re wondering whether to use the Japanese or worldwide cheats for Metal Storm, it all depends on which version of the game you’re playing. Try and find the site where you downloaded your original ROM from – this will tell you which version you downloaded.
From there, it’s pretty simple. Just make sure you’re entering the right ones for your version.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Screenshot from Metal Storm..