Darkwing Duck is an action platformer developed and published by Capcom for the NES, based on the Disney animated series. It was released in North America in June 1992 and in Europe in December 1993, but never in Japan, Capcom's home market. A Game Boy version followed in February 1993. The producer was Tokuro Fujiwara, and the music was composed by Yasuaki Fujita.
The design borrows heavily from Capcom's Mega Man series: the player chooses from three opening stages, and more unlock later. Darkwing fights with a gas gun that can be loaded with special Thunder, Heavy and Arrow gases, and he can deflect some projectiles with his cape. The bosses are six hired criminals, including Wolfduck, an original character created for the game.
In 2019 the studio Headcannon released a playable prototype of a sequel it had pitched to Capcom. Since 2017 the NES game has been part of The Disney Afternoon Collection by Digital Eclipse, which came to Switch and Switch 2 in February 2026. In Russia the game is known by the hero's cartoon name, «Чёрный плащ».123
Names and releases
| Region | Title on the box | Platform | Date | Publisher | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | Disney's Darkwing DuckWikipedia gives 5 June 1992 | NES | June 1992 | CapcomNES-DZ | 4 |
| NA | Disney's Darkwing Duck | Game Boy | February 1993 | CapcomDMG-DC-USA | 4 |
| EU | Disney's Darkwing Duck | NES | Dec 9, 1993 | CapcomNES-DZ | 4 |
| EU | Disney's Darkwing Duck | Game Boy | 1993 | CapcomDMG-DC-EUR | 4 |
| WW | The Disney Afternoon CollectionCompilation by Digital Eclipse | Windows | Apr 18, 2017 | Capcom | 5 |
| WW | The Disney Afternoon CollectionCompilation by Digital Eclipse | PlayStation 4 | Apr 18, 2017 | Capcom | 6 |
| WW | The Disney Afternoon CollectionCompilation by Digital Eclipse | Xbox One | Apr 18, 2017 | Capcom | 7 |
| WW | The Disney Afternoon CollectionExpanded edition adding Goof Troop and Bonkers | Switch | Feb 26, 2026 | Atari | 8 |
| WW | The Disney Afternoon CollectionExpanded edition adding Goof Troop and Bonkers | Switch 2 | Feb 26, 2026 | Atari | 9 |
Also known as: Disney's Darkwing Duck NA4Чёрный плащ RU10
Box art by region
NA Disney's Darkwing Duck 
EU Disney's Darkwing Duck
Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: libretro-thumbnails.
Version differences
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GameplayThe Disney Afternoon Collection
The version in The Disney Afternoon Collection adds rewind, save states, Time Attack and Boss Rush modes with online leaderboards, and a museum of concept art and music.11
Where to play legally today
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Nintendo eShop Purchase
The Disney Afternoon Collection
Darkwing Duck (NES) inside the compilation
Checked: 2026-10-138nintendo.com
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Nintendo eShop Purchase
The Disney Afternoon Collection
Darkwing Duck (NES) inside the compilation
Checked: 2026-10-139nintendo.com
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PlayStation Store Purchase
The Disney Afternoon Collection
Darkwing Duck (NES) inside the compilation
Checked: 2026-10-136store.playstation.com
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Steam Purchase
The Disney Afternoon Collection
Darkwing Duck (NES) inside the compilation
Checked: 2026-10-135store.steampowered.com
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Microsoft Store (Xbox) Purchase
Reception
The game was well received. Entertainment Weekly gave it a B and noted its similarity to Mega Man, and it was nominated for Nintendo Power's Best Overall Game award for 1992.1
Sources
- 1en.wikipedia.org
- 2tcrf.net
- 3shazoo.ru
- 4gamefaqs.gamespot.com
- 5store.steampowered.com
- 6store.playstation.com
- 7xbox.com
- 8nintendo.com
- 9nintendo.com
- 10stopgame.ru
- 11en.wikipedia.org
Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13
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