Spy vs. Spy is a competitive split-screen action-strategy game developed by First Star Software and published by Kemco for the NES, based on the MAD Magazine comic strip. In shared “Simulvision” split-screen, the Black and White Spies race through an embassy’s rooms to collect four items and a briefcase and escape — setting and disarming booby traps and brawling to sabotage each other. It supports two players simultaneously.
How To Play Spy vs. Spy
Control
Action
D-Pad
Move the spy; search furniture; navigate the trap menu
A Button
Search / grab items; attack in combat
B Button
Open the Trapulator to set a booby trap
Select
Cycle trap type
Start
Pause / map
About Spy vs. Spy
Release date
Famicom (JP): April 26, 1986 · NES (NA): October 1988 · NES (EU): July 27, 1990
Developer
First Star Software (NES port by Kemco/Kotobuki)
Publisher
Kemco
Platform
NES / Famicom; originally Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit, Apple II, plus many ports
Sheldon has spent over a decade immersed in retro gaming, from NES classics to arcade gems. He's deeply passionate about preserving gaming history and helping others rediscover these timeless titles. When he's not gaming, Shaun writes about the evolution of video games and their cultural impact.
