Cheats have been a part of video games since at least 1983, when developer Matthew Smith added a secret code based on his driver’s license number toManic Miner. As the medium grew more popular, and games more complex, more programmers would add cheats to their games, either to make playtesting easier for themselves or as intentional Easter eggs that players were meant to find.
By the end of the ’80s, cheat codes were common enough that gaming magazines like Nintendo Power dedicated coverage to them. Of course, rumors about codes that didn’t actually exist also began to fly, a phenomenon that persists to this day.
8The Konami Code
Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start
We all knowthe Konami Code is very real. It’s left an indelible mark on gaming culture. Also known as theContraCode since that was the first game that many players discovered it in, the Konami Code’s actual debut came withGradius, which had released the previous year. In Gradius, it granted a fully-upgraded ship, while in Contra it gave you thirty lives to start with instead of just three. Both were indispensable in surviving their respective games’merciless shoot-em-up levels.
The Konami Code has become so famous that it has been added to games not published by Konami, as well as non-gaming tools including the likes ofGoogle. Of course, that means that you might feel inclined to try the Konami Code in every new game you play. Sure, it probably won’t work, but what if it does?
7L Is Real
Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64is one of the most-played games of all time, thanks to its initial popularity, remakes, and one of the largest dedicated speedrunning communities in the world. Unlike the previous mainline Mario titles, Mario 64didn’t have a two-player modethat allowed players to alternate attempting levels, with Player 2 taking the role of Luigi.
While he was added to the Nintendo DS remake, the taller of the Mario Brothers isnowhere to be foundin the original version of Super Mario 64. That didn’t stop players from theorizing that he was just very, very well-hidden. Their proof? Asmudgy, illegible plaquein Peach’s Castle that sort of looks like it maybe reads “L Is Real 2401” if you squint. Asour friends at GameRant have shown, this theory has been fully debunked.
6Aliens And UFOs
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Each newGrand Theft Autogame is filled with secrets waiting to be discovered in its massive open world. With so much detail and Rockstar Games' penchant for mischief, it’s easy to get caught up in virtual conspiracy theories about sasquatches, serial killers, and, of course, aliens.
Mysterious lights can be seen in the sky sometimes during CJ’s adventures in and around Los Santos, and some NPCs even talk about alien encounters. As it turns out, though, nothing in the game’s code will cause a flying saucer to appear, much less allow you to drive one. The strange lights and oddball NPCs are just part of the game’s overall parody of California culture.
5Bring Back Aerith
Final Fantasy 7
Final Fantasy 7was revolutionary in many ways, chief among them its shocking plot twist that killed off a beloved character. Nobody saw Aerith’s death coming, and her demise is one of the most important moments in the history of video games.
Surely, players thought at the time, there must be a way to revive her. After all, the game wouldn’t let youmax out her levelor learn herunbelievably powerful Limit Break, Great Gospelif it was just going to take her away… right?
Lesser games might have let you reverse Aerith’s fate, but dealing with her loss iscentral to the core theme of the game. Once Sephiroth drops from the ceiling in that climactic encounter, thelast of the Cetrareturns to the Planet for good.
4The Hidden Triforce
The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
The Triforce is the source of ultimate power in theLegend Of Zeldaseries. Divided into three parts, each governing the virtues of Wisdom, Courage, and Power, it has the power to grant wishes and reshape the world when assembled.
Unlike Link’s previous journeys in Hyrule,The Ocarina Of Timedoesn’t seem to feature the Triforce at all. Even the power-hungry Ganondorf doesn’t seem to be after the artifact. This seemed strange to series fans way back in 1998, leading to speculation that there was some secret method to find it. There never was, but that didn’t stop players from trying to hunt it down anyway.
3The Nude Code
Tomb Raider
Lara Croft could have used a lot of help from cheat codes on her first adventure; infinite ammo, maybe, or invulnerability. Instead - though perhaps predictably - players tried everything they could to hunt down a rumored code that would take off the adventurer’s clothes.
While the so-called “Nude Code” wasn’t real, and the buzz around it annoyed the game’s creators, corporate suits saw dollar signs. Higher-ups at the publisher levelleaned on series creator Paul Douglasto add unlockable nudity in sequels as a marketing tactic, which he thankfully refused to do.
2Sheng Long
Street Fighter 2
Street Fighter 2took arcades by storm when it launched in 1991. It launched a genre and a thriving competitive scene all at once, and players couldn’t get enough of beating one another silly.
One particular phrase in the game stood out to players eager to unlock a powerful new fighter. When Ryu defeated an opponent, he would tell them, “You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance.“Who was Sheng Long?Was he Ryu’s sensei? A hidden boss? Rumors flew about unlocking the mysterious martial artist.
As it turns out, Ryu’s admonition was justa result of poor localization. His actual phrase in Japanese was something closer to, “You must overcome my Dragon Uppercut (Shoryuken) to stand a chance against me.” Sheng Long loosely means “Dragon Uppercut” in Chinese, further proving thatRyu was just bragging about his powerful move.
1Hold B
Pokemon
There are few moments of anticipation more intense than right after youthrow a Poke Ball. It wiggles once… twice… an eternity passes. Will it shake a third time? With the Pokemon break free? If there’s any time in gaming when you’d want a good luck charm, this is it.
What likely started as one lucky player sharing their “fool-proof” catch strategy online spawned a habit that persists even now that we know better. Holding down the B button (or hitting it repeatedly, depending on your tastes) doesn’t do anything to affect Pokemon’sextremely well-documented catch rates,but it sure does feel good.
