About this game
DuckTales (1989) is one of Capcom's finest NES/Famicom games — a non-linear platformer starring Scrooge McDuck and his pogo-stick cane mechanic, built by the same team that produced Mega Man. Its Moon Theme by Hiroshige Tonomura is among the most beloved pieces of 8-bit music ever composed, and the game's open-world level structure was unusual for the era. Capcom's first major Disney collaboration established a template for licensed games that aspired to quality.
Key Features
Scrooge McDuck's pogo-stick cane can bounce off enemies, spikes, and surfaces — allowing passage through hazards that cannot be touched normally. Five stages that can be played in any order: the Amazon, Transylvania, African Mines, Himalayas, and the Moon. Each stage contains a treasure that contributes to the final score. The game tracks Scrooge's wealth as a score — a fitting conceit for the world's richest duck. Hiroshige Tonomura's Moon Theme is widely considered one of the greatest NES compositions.
Gallery
The Story Behind
DuckTales was Capcom's first major licensed Disney game, and its success established a working relationship that produced multiple Disney titles across the NES and Game Boy. Producer Tokuro Fujiwara and character designer Keiji Inafune — both central figures in the Mega Man series — were key to the project. The game's critical and commercial success (1.67 million units on NES) demonstrated that licensed games could meet the same quality bar as original IP, which was not assumed at the time.
Tricks & Tales
The Moon Theme from DuckTales was composed by Hiroshige Tonomura and has been covered, remixed, and arranged by musicians worldwide for over three decades. A HD remaster, DuckTales Remastered, was released in 2013 with voice acting from the original cartoon cast including Alan Young (Scrooge). The pogo-cane mechanic influenced numerous later platformers. The NES version sold 1.67 million copies, making it Capcom's best-selling NES title.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
Released in North America (September 1989), Japan (January 1990, as Wanpaku Duck Yume Bouken), and Europe (December 1990). All versions are functionally identical.
Maintenance Tips
Standard Famicom/NES cartridge care. Clean the 72-pin connector with isopropyl alcohol. Battery-backed save is not used — the game uses a password system.
Available in our shop
Hand-cleaned and tested units shipped worldwide from Toyohashi, Japan. HP direct purchase exclusive: we include a printed shop owner's note card with every order.
Direct purchase supports this museum directly. eBay Top Rated Seller · 1,750+ reviews · 100% positive feedback.
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