Mission Impossible

Mission: Impossible brings Konami’s take on the classic espionage series to the NES in this 1990 action game published by Ultra Games. Rather than relying on a single straightforward hero, the game lets you work with members of the Impossible Missions Force, including Max, Grant, and Nicholas. Each operative has different strengths, so choosing the right agent can matter as you move through dangerous assignments.

The game combines side-scrolling action with the tension of an undercover mission. Stages send the team into enemy-controlled locations where progress depends on careful movement, combat, and the effective use of weapons and equipment. Hostile guards, traps, and tight spaces make rushing forward a risky approach, while the limited screen space keeps encounters immediate and sometimes surprisingly demanding. The presentation is firmly rooted in the era’s 8-bit style, with compact mission environments, straightforward objectives, and a brisk pace that rewards learning enemy patterns.

Mission: Impossible is not a direct recreation of the later film series; it draws instead from the television property and gives the NES a distinct interpretation of secret-agent adventure. Its appeal comes from the combination of recognizable spy themes and classic Konami action design, along with the small tactical choice of deciding which member of the team is best suited to the situation. The difficulty can be unforgiving, but repeated attempts gradually reveal safer routes and better ways to handle each encounter.

For players interested in licensed NES action games, this is an unusual entry with a stronger espionage flavor than a typical run-and-gun title. You can play online on your browser through RetroCloud and revisit this vintage mission whenever you are in the mood for a challenging 1990 console adventure.