10 Most Iconic Video Game Cheat Codes

Over the years, the way people cheat in video games has undergone significant transformation, and today, there are attitudes towards it that were unheard of two decades back. Frankly, I find it hard to blame this shift.

Nowadays, cheating is often seen as a way for unskilled players to spoil multiplayer games. Sometimes, developers even exploit this concept for profit, offering advancements that were once accessible through simple code entries. Cheat codes, once common, are now rarely found, but some have become gaming icons.

If you aren’t familiar with the Konami Code or IDDQD, here are some of the most legendary video game cheats throughout history.

I’m limiting the list to a single cheat per franchise, so we don’t just have a list of Doom codes!

10. Ikari Warriors

ABBA

Key Information	Details
Developer	SNK
Platform	NES
Release Date	May 1987

Ikari Warriors” is a challenging, vertical-scroller game from the NES era. Cooperate with a buddy to tackle an overwhelming military force, featuring enemies like rifle-carrying troops and tanks.

In the game of Ikari Warriors, you’ll frequently meet your demise due to its challenging nature, which might seem cruel at times. However, don’t despair! You have a chance to resuscitate by rapidly pressing ‘A, B, B, A’. Feel free to repeat this sequence as often as needed.

The code is surprisingly catchy, ironically so since the level skip code is an appalling sequence of 30 rapid inputs required before the demonstration rolls on the main menu.

In more contemporary terms, “The Angry Video Game Nerd made this game well-known among younger audiences through an exceptional episode. Regardless of whether you’ve ever played ‘Ikari Warriors’, you’re likely familiar with survival strategies.

9. Turok 2: Seeds of Evil

BEWAREOBLIVIONISATHAND

Back in the day, Turok was quite a force to reckon with in the realm of shooter games. However, it’s not as prominent these days. For those not familiar, Turok is a first-person shooter game that offers an array of unusual yet imaginative weapons and features some rather ominous reptilian adversaries.

Much like numerous games from the 90s, Turok 2 offers a variety of cheats, such as unlimited ammo and lives. What sets Turok apart is that the developers incorporated a code to activate all cheats at once!

If you input ‘BEWAREOBLIVIONISATHAND’ on the Nintendo 64 edition, or ‘OBLIVIONISOUTTHERE’ on the PC version, you’ll unveil every cheat code, effectively shattering the game’s integrity.

This epic cheat lets you curate your experience without memorizing and entering multiple commands.

8. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Full Health, Armor, and $250,000

Many San Andreas game cheats were ingrained as habits by players looking for fun without consequences. It’s debatable, but it’s certainly one of the top games for the PlayStation 2.

The special code [Full Health, Armor, and $250,000] granted players unlimited access to game resources, yet it didn’t entirely disrupt the gameplay experience. This secret command varies among versions, but on the PlayStation 2, it is entered as follows: ‘R1, R2, L1, X, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Right, Up.’

In the early 2000s, players resorted to such an extensive use of a shortcut that they ended up memorizing the entire sequence by heart, rather than focusing on each individual button press.

7. Pokemon Red and Blue

Missingno

The elusive ‘Missingno’ in Pokémon stands out because it isn’t so much a code but rather a specific series of steps or actions that need to be executed. However, it behaves like a cheat, and if someone claims they played the original games without using it, they are likely being dishonest with you.

The most common way to trigger a Missingno encounter is to follow these steps:

Watch the Old Man’s Demonstration on how to catch Pokémon in Viridian City.
Fly to Cinnabar Island.
Use Surf along the island’s east coast and move up and down until Missingno appears.

In this instance, an unusual assortment of fractured game characters, or ‘Missingno.’, might show up unexpectedly during a chance encounter. If you decide to fight it, simply flee from the battle. The item you currently have in your sixth inventory position will be multiplied numerous times.

Here’s a simple rephrase for you: You can employ this technique to obtain an endless supply of Master Balls and Rare Candies. However, make sure not to capture Missingno, as it may accidentally corrupt your valuable saved game data. Moreover, the allure of shiny Pokémon is undeniably greater!

6. The Sims

Motherlode

In the popular The Sims video games, imaginative players construct stunning mansions and design captivating lifestyles for their characters. However, when assuming the role of an architect within these games, one challenge that consistently arises is managing limited finances.

Luckily, Maxis created a convenient shortcut or code, often referred to as an “eloquent cheat code.” To solve your financial troubles effortlessly, simply type ‘motherlode’ into the game console (by pressing CTRL + Shift + C). This will deposit 50,000 Simoleons directly into your virtual wallet. However, don’t forget to activate cheats beforehand by inputting ‘testingcheats true’ into the console for it to work properly.

Among the numerous codes for The Sims, there are well-known ones like ‘Rosebud’ and ‘Money X.’ By simply changing the ‘X’ to the number of Simoleons you desire, these codes can grant you in-game money. However, it is important to note that every expert on The Sims is familiar with Motherlode, making it a must-mention on the list.

5. Sonic the Hedgehog

Level Select

Instead of playing the classic game “Sonic the Hedgehog” from start to finish, which is indeed a masterpiece, imagine this scenario: You simply wish to enjoy the ambiance of the Starlight Zone without having to conquer every stage leading up to it.

Much like the well-known Konami Code, the stage selection code for Sonic the Hedgehog is both memorable and simple to input. On the main menu where Sonic makes his appearance and begins wagging his finger, press Up, Down, Left, then Right. A ring collection sound will play, and you can access the level select screen by pressing A and Start at the same time.

Instead of frequently employing the level select code from “Sonic 2” for another chance against Metal Sonic, I’d say I relied on it quite a bit, but the cheat method involves the sound test menu and isn’t nearly as catchy or easy to recall.

4. StarCraft

thereisnocowlevel

Among the codes listed, ‘thereisnocowlevel’ might not hold the greatest impact, but undeniably, it boasts an exceptional and fascinating origin story!

Before players devised memorable ‘false’ tricks such as the “naked Lara Croft code” or the method to catch Mew in Pokémon Red and Blue, a tale circulated about a legendary level in Diablo. This supposed area was said to be overflowing with cows, yet no video evidence of it has been found, and all strategies for reaching it were inconsistent and absurd nonsense.

As a devoted fan, let me share that we all can’t get enough of a captivating yarn, and that was no different for the creators behind gaming classics like Diablo and StarCraft, namely Blizzard. Here’s an interesting tidbit: if you input the code ‘thereisnocowlevel’ in StarCraft, it conveniently skips the level you’re playing. The cherry on top of this story is that there really was a cow level in Diablo 2!

3. Mortal Kombat

ABACABB

In the ’90s, Mortal Kombat was a widely cherished fighting video game, renowned for its intense gore, violence, and captivating gameplay. However, as players eagerly sought to transfer this thrilling experience from the arcades into their homes via consoles, they were left unsatisfied due to a noticeable lack in the home console versions.

On the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) edition of Mortal Kombat, instead of blood, sweat is shown, a replacement that I personally find less appealing. In contrast, the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive version also lacked blood initially, but players had the option to turn it back on.

Pressing the sequence ‘A, B, A, C, A, B, B’ on the game screen will slightly enhance the home version to resemble the arcade experience in terms of gameplay.

2. Doom

IDDQD

Without a doubt, Doom is universally recognized, having been one of the most impactful first-person shooter games ever created. Developers continue their quest to rekindle its enchantment within the category of retro shooters.

Among various cheats for the game Doom, IDDQD stands out as one of the most widely recognized. Typing it into the console transforms Doom Guy’s eyes to gold, signifying an invulnerable state often referred to as ‘god mode,’ where he becomes impossible to kill.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve stumbled upon an epic cheat code for the iconic game Doom – ‘idspispopd’. This bad boy does away with the usual boundary issues, allowing me to stride leisurely through the game’s backdrop as if it were a walk in the park. Walls, doors, and other obstacles no longer stand in my way!

1. Contra

Konami Code/Contra Code

The Konami code is widely recognized for being featured in numerous Konami games, but it gained its legendary status primarily from the game Contra on the NES. The sequence to activate it is as follows: ‘Press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A.’

This string may seem lengthy, but it’s quite memorable. Its standout feature is granting an additional 30 lives to Contra players, which is incredibly useful in such a challenging game!

It’s interesting to note that Konami recognized the significance of their coding and often employed similar versions of it across different games. Remarkably, this code was usable in the game Gradius before Contra, and it provided an immense power upgrade for the pilots in the space shooter.

2025-02-01 18:10