Over the years, the landscape of cheating in video games has undergone significant transformation. The perception surrounding cheating has shifted dramatically since the days when it was more innocuous, with new stigmas emerging that rarely existed two decades ago. This evolution is hardly surprising.
In today’s gaming world, cheating is often viewed as a behavior that undermines the integrity of multiplayer experiences. Developers, in some instances, have even sought to capitalize on this trend by offering paid progression features, a stark contrast to the cheat codes of yesteryear. While cheat codes have largely faded into history, a few have achieved legendary status among players.
If you’re unfamiliar with gaming classics like the Konami Code or IDDQD, read on for a look at some of the most renowned cheats throughout gaming history, limited to one cheat per franchise to keep things varied.
10. Ikari Warriors
ABBA
Key Information
Details
Developer
SNK
Platform
NO
Release Date
May 1987
Ikari Warriors is notorious for its unfair difficulty, presenting players with an intense vertical-scrolling shooter experience on the NES. Teaming up with a friend allows players to battle through hordes of soldiers and tanks, but be prepared to encounter numerous deaths.
Fortunately, there’s a rescue: by pressing ‘A, B, B, A, ’ players can respawn and continue their conflict without losing too much ground. This simplistic input makes it easily memorable, contrasting sharply with the frustratingly complex level skip code. The Angry Video Game Nerd helped revive interest in this classic with a memorable episode, introducing a new generation to this gaming relic.
9. Turok 2: Seeds of Evil
BEWAREOBLIVIONISATHAND
Once a titan in the first-person shooter landscape, Turok introduced players to an imaginative world filled with bizarre weaponry and eerie reptilian foes. Although the franchise has faded in popularity, the cheat options remain a noteworthy aspect of its gameplay.
Among the various cheats, one stands out: entering ‘BEWAREOBLIVIONISATHAND’ for the N64 version or ‘OBLIVIONISOUTTHERE’ on PC unlocks every available cheat at once. This feature dramatically enhances the gameplay experience and provides players a way to enjoy the game without memorizing a long list of commands.
8. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Full Health, Armor, and $250, 000
While the cheat name may not be flashy, this code became ingrained in the muscle memory of San Andreas players looking to unleash chaos without consequences. Recognized as one of the best titles for the PS2, it allowed access to essential resources with a simple command.
The code for accessing Full Health, Armor, and a whopping $250, 000 varies with the platform, with the PS2 version requiring ‘R1, R2, L1, X, Left, Down, Right, Up, Left, Down, Right, Up.’ Though it may seem overwhelming, players eventually remembered the fluid hand movements rather than individual button presses.
7. Pokemon Red and Blue
Missingno
Unlike traditional cheat codes, Missingno in Pokémon represents a sequence of in-game actions. While not a code in the typical sense, it’s a widely used exploit by those who dared to encounter this glitch.
Players can trigger Missingno by completing a series of steps: watch the Old Man demonstrate catching Pokémon, fly to Cinnabar Island, then surf along the eastern coast. This leads to an encounter with the infamous ‘Missingno, ’ an encounter that allows players to duplicate items in their inventory, including highly sought-after Master Balls and Rare Candies. Just be cautious not to capture it, as this can damage your game save.
6. The Sims
Motherlode
The Sims franchise offers players a creative outlet to design stunning homes and lead their Sims toward a prosperous life. However, one persistent challenge is acquiring sufficient in-game currency.
To alleviate financial struggles, players can utilize a simple cheat code: typing ‘motherlode’ in the cheat console grants a generous boost of 50, 000 Simoleons. To activate cheats in the game, players must enter ‘testingcheats true’ beforehand. Various codes exist for The Sims, but ‘motherlode’ remains the go-to for those seeking easy cash.
5. Sonic the Hedgehog
Level Select
The iconic Sonic the Hedgehog offers an exhilarating experience, but what if you wish to dive into a specific level without playing through to it? The game features a memorable stage select code reminiscent of the Konami Code.
When at the title screen, players can press Up, Down, Left, and Right; if done correctly, the sound of a ring will confirm their success, allowing access to the level select screen by pressing A+Start. While Sonic 2 offers a more complex method, this original cheat remains the most accessible.
4. StarCraft
thereisnocowlevel
The infamous ‘thereisnocowlevel’ code, while not among the most impactful of cheats, boasts a fascinating origin story. Legend once circulated about a hidden cow level in Diablo, a myth that Blizzard later played into with this code.
By entering ‘thereisnocowlevel’ in StarCraft, players can skip the current level, adding an entertaining anecdote to the cheat’s legacy. Interestingly, the cow level rumor led to an actual cow level appearing in Diablo 2!
3. Mortal Kombat
ABCAB
As a cherished fighting game of the 90s, Mortal Kombat captivated players with its gore and intense gameplay. However, avid gamers were disappointed to find the SNES version lacking the blood that defined its arcade counterpart.
Fortunately, the Genesis version allows players to restore the iconic blood effect by entering the code ‘A, B, A, C, A, B, B’ at the storyline screen, creating a more authentic arcade-like experience at home.
2. Doom
IDDQD
Doom, a cornerstone of the first-person shooter genre, continues to inspire developers aiming to recreate its thrill in the modern era. Among the plethora of cheats available, IDDQD stands out as one of the most legendary.
By inputting this command, players activate ‘god mode, ’ making Doom Guy invincible. Another notable cheat, ‘idspispopd, ’ allows players to walk through walls, further enhancing the gameplay experience.
1. Against
Konami Code/Contra Code
The Konami Code remains an iconic cheat, particularly recognized for its impact in Contra on the NES. The straightforward input, ‘Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, ’ is not only easy to remember but grants players an impressive 30 extra lives—essential for a game as challenging as Contra.
Konami embraced the code’s popularity by incorporating it into numerous other titles, solidifying its place in gaming history. Interestingly, players could even use it in Gradius before Contra, where it provided a significant power-up for pilots!
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