Play Jaws Online

I first played Jaws on the Nintendo Entertainment System back in 1987. It was developed by Westone, the same team behind the Wonder Boy games. On the NES, a console filled with platformers and action titles, this game stood out for trying something different with a movie license, even if it wasn't a household name.

You control a small boat, navigating the ocean one screen at a time. Your main goal is to find and defeat the great white shark by weakening it first. You do this by dropping depth charges to kill smaller fish, which earns you points to upgrade your boat's strength and harpoon. The game shifts between this open water exploration and direct confrontations with Jaws himself, where you must dodge his charges and attack when you can. It's a slow, repetitive process that can feel grindy as you build up your power, but finally landing the finishing blow on the shark provides a genuine sense of relief.