History Main / ClassicCheatCode

* The password for an instant win in ''VideoGame/{{Starcraft|I}}'' is "there is no cow level", referencing a rumor in Blizzard's ''{{VideoGame/Diablo}}'' (which became an actual level in ''Diablo II''). There was also a user group known as "Operation: CWAL (Can't Wait Any Longer)" on the Blizzard forums before the official release of ''Starcraft''; as a ShoutOut, the cheat code for super fast construction is "operation cwal". The cheat for infinite energy is "the gathering", a reference to ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering''. Other cheats include "black sheep wall", "food for thought", and "power overwhelming". ''VideoGame/StarcraftII'' has terribleterribledamage and moredotsmoredots.

* The instant win password in ''Warcraft III'' is "[[VideoGame/ZeroWing allyourbasearebelongtous]]", while the instant defeat password is "somebodysetupusthebomb". The code to give yourself gold is "[[Film/TheUsualSuspects keysersoze]] ''n''", where ''n'' is the amount you want. "[[Film/WallStreet greedisgood]] ''n''" gets you ''n'' of both gold and lumber. "[[Film/TheMatrix thereisnospoon]]" gives all units infinite mana. "[[Film/{{Gladiator}} strength and honor]]" prevents the computer from declaring your loss. "[[Literature/AtlasShrugged whoisjohngalt]]" allows research upgrades even if you haven't met the requirements (such as having a Workshop in order to research Long Rifles). [[Franchise/StarTrek warpten]] gives instant builds. [[Film/ThePrincessBride iocainepowder]] grants instant death attacks to all your units. "[[TheSixthSense iseedeadpeople]]" removes the FogOfWar. The instant-death-plus-invincibility cheat is "whosyourdaddy".

* A ''Metroid'' cheat code that is not a coincidence but which remained undetected for years is [[AC:[=NARPASSWORD=]]]. It's hardcoded to bypass the usual password logic and checksums, and grants Samus infinite health and missiles, the Ice Beam, and every power-up in the game with the exception of Energy Tanks and missile expansions. There are several hypotheses regarding the code's name. Some say the first three letters stand for Tohru Narihito, who converted the game to cartridge format from the original Famicom Disk System version (which used battery backup instead of passwords). Others say the code is short for '''N'''orth '''A'''merican '''R'''elease Password, inserted into the American version for debug purposes. Nintendo themselves claim it stands for '''N'''ot '''A R'''eal Password (ironic since it ''is'' a real password). Still others have searched the game far and wide for the elusive [[TheProblemWithPenIsland Narpas Sword]]...
** A coincidental password remained elusive for years until someone tried it out of sheer curiosity. The password was ENGAGE RIDLEY MOTHER FUCKER. The password worked similar to the Justin Bailey code, but the graphics became corrupted and the screen was locked in place, preventing you from moving ahead.

--> '''WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd:''' "HELPME". That's it, you spell "HELPME". Isn't that the most appropriate password you ever heard? Because anyone who plays this game, that's exactly what you're thinking.

-->'''Devil:''' I'll grant you any three wishes. Just remember, you'll be going to Hell afterwards.
-->'''Gamer:''' Alright. [[VideoGame/{{Doom}} One. IDDQD. Two. IDKFA.]]
-->'''Devil:''' And the third?
-->'''Gamer:''' What third? Come on, send me to Hell already. It's ass kicking time.[[note]]We suggest IDBEHOLDS for good measure[[/note]]

[[folder:Action Adventure]]

* In the PCEngine version of the Irem game ''Mr. Heli no Daibouken'', the code for up to 99 continues was I, II, II, I, Select. Entering the same code in ''Ninja Spirit'' would just display the message "Do you play Mr. Heli?"

* BanjoKazooie had a very frustrating cheat code system. To unlock it, you had to collect the Jiggy from the underwater castle in Treasure Trove Cove and then re-enter it. You could then enter the cheat codes... the letters of which were all on the floor and you had to use the Beak Buster power to spell out what you wanted. This could usually take a while, since you ''also'' had to begin the cheat with the word [[AC:'''CHEAT''']], and the cheats themselves were hideously long. As an example, in order to get infinite blue eggs, you needed to enter [[AC:'''CHEATBANJOBEGSFORPLENTYOFEGGS''']].

* ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpiresIII'', set in TheColonialPeriod, has "[[WebAnimation/TeenGirlSquad Sooo Good]]" which shows kill messages like "Musketeer'd!", "tuck tuck tuck" which gives you a highly invincible monster truck (or "Tommynator", if you will) that rolls over enemy units and buildings, and "Where's that axe?" which unleashes a giant GeorgeWashington bust on your enemies (going by the name of "George Crushington" and [[IncendiaryExponent breathing fire]]).

** In ''SimAnt'', ''VideoGame/SimEarth'', and ''VideoGame/SimLife'', using "iamacheat", "fund", or any other money-related cheat from prior games results in a message saying "Congratulations, you are now $10,000 richer. Unfortunately, money is useless in this game." Using them in ''[=SimFarm=]'' donates the money to the nearby city, rather than to your own bank account. Rather than actually doing something useful with the money, the mayor squanders it all on a new car.

** In ''SimAnt'', ''SimEarth'', and ''[=SimLife=]'', using "iamacheat", "fund", or any other money-related cheat from prior games results in a message saying "Congratulations, you are now $10,000 richer. Unfortunately, money is useless in this game." Using them in ''[=SimFarm=]'' donates the money to the nearby city, rather than to your own bank account. Rather than actually doing something useful with the money, the mayor squanders it all on a new car.

* In the original ''VideoGame/SimCity'', hold Shift and type "fund" to get $80,000. If you use it eight times, though, '''[[NoFairCheating you trigger an earthquake]]'''. You can avoid the downside by [[SaveScumming saving and reloading]] before you reach the trigger.

** In ''SimAnt'', "iamacheat" results in a message saying "Congratulations, you are now $10,000 richer. Unfortunately, money is useless in this game." Using it in ''[=SimFarm=]'' donates the money to the nearby city, rather than to your own bank account. Rather than actually doing something useful with the money, the mayor squanders it all on a new car.

* ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto Grand Theft Auto 3]]'' on the Playstation 2 had a number of codes, including some (like making the pedestrians fight each other, or hate and attack you) that could not be disabled; if you saved, the cheat was restored/re-enabled when the game was reloaded. The only way to undo them was to restart the game, either from scratch or from a save game in which the cheat had not been enabled. The PC version had memorable codes, too. gunsgunsguns gave you every weapon (repeating "guns" over and over gave you more ammo), giveusatank made the Rhino fall out of the sky, tortoise gave you 100 armor, gesundheit gave you 100 health, ilikedressingup made you look like a random pedestrian. And the eternally entertaining BANGBANGBANG, which [[StuffBlowingUp blew up every single car on your screen]]. Like gunsgunsguns, every new entry of bang blew up all the cars again, meaning a skilled typist could send all the vehicles on screen into orbit, only to have them come crashing down several minutes later provided the player didn't leave their current location.

* ''VideoGame/BubbleBobble'' (arcade version), entering certain controller codes on the title screen that would make powerups permanent, reveal all secret doors, and unlock the "Super Game." In ''VideoGame/RainbowIslands'', the same three codes produced hint messages instead.

* [[AC:'''JUSTIN BAILEY''']] - A password beginning with this sequence lets a player start ''VideoGame/{{Metroid}}'' with an unarmored Samus and much of the game completed. Various hypotheses arose as to who or what "Justin Bailey" was, [[note]]One which was submitted to ''Magazine/NintendoPower'' claimed that the phrase is actually three words, "Just In Bailey", as "bailey" is allegedly outdated slang for a bathing suit. [[UrbanLegendOfZelda It isn't]].[[/note]] but it was later proven to be a coincidence -- the password system is coded so that many English word combinations produce valid results.

* ''Warcraft II'' once again has "it is a good day to die", and adds "on screen" to remove the FogOfWar and "make it so" for fast building/training/researching. Meanwhile, "[[Franchise/{{Highlander}} there can be only one]]" results in instant victory, and "[[Music/ThePolice every little thing she does]]" upgrades your units' magic.

A cheat code is a beneficial-in-game EasterEgg. If it's completely unrelated (like the flight sim in Microsoft Excel, or the special room in the Atari 2600 ''VideoGame/Adventure'' cartridge) then it's an EasterEgg, but not a cheat code.

* ''Donkey Kong Country 2'' features two cheats on the game select screen that spell words. "BARRALAX" removes the DK barrels [[note]]Barrel Ax[[/note]], and "YASADLAD" gives you 50 lives (because if you need 50 lives to beat the game, YA have to be a SAD LAD).
* ''Donkey Kong Country 3'' has a code menu you can access with a key combination, but then you'll have to input letters to create the code, and it has quite a few codes to play around with. Where's the fun in that?

* ''VideoGame/HeroesOfMightAndMagic III''. Tab-nwc[culturalreference]. In all three versions of it. One referenced Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail: nwcalreadygotone gives you the holy grail and nwcigotbetter to gain a level. The expansions used Matrix and Star Wars Episode 1 references.

-->'''Gamer:''' What third? Come on, send me to Hell already. It's ass kicking time.[[hottip:*:We suggest IDBEHOLDS for good measure]]

-->'''Gamer:''' What third? Come on, send me to Hell already. It's ass kicking time.

[[folder:Unsorted]]
* The ''VideoGame/{{Crusader}}'' games' cheat codes requires an activation code to be entered. In the first, this is [=JASSICA16=]. In the second game, ''No Regret'', entering this results in a message popping up saying, "Of course we changed the cheats...duh." And then you're teleported to an open room with no cover to face down ten of the game's [[BigBad boss fight]] at once. The real activation code here is [=LOOSECANNON16=], the game being the brainchild of... Loose Cannon.
* ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto Grand Theft Auto 3]]'' on the Playstation 2 had a number of codes, including some (like making the pedestrians fight each other, or hate and attack you) that could not be disabled; if you saved, the cheat was restored/re-enabled when the game was reloaded. The only way to undo them was to restart the game, either from scratch or from a save game in which the cheat had not been enabled. The PC version had memorable codes, too. gunsgunsguns gave you every weapon (repeating "guns" over and over gave you more ammo), giveusatank made the Rhino fall out of the sky, tortoise gave you 100 armor, gesundheit gave you 100 health, ilikedressingup made you look like a random pedestrian. And the eternally entertaining BANGBANGBANG, which [[StuffBlowingUp blew up every single car on your screen]]. Like gunsgunsguns, every new entry of bang blew up all the cars again, meaning a skilled typist could send all the vehicles on screen into orbit, only to have them come crashing down several minutes later provided the player didn't leave their current location.
** Such "undoable" cheat codes also exist in the other games. ''Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'' had a particularly nasty attitude towards the use of cheat codes, with many causing AI characters in the game to act strangely and, if one saves a game with a cheat code active, or too many cheat codes are entered, some missions become impossible to complete, rendering it impossible to complete the game.
* Sega Genesis [[note]]Mega Drive, outside of North America[[/note]] ''VideoGame/{{Pitfall}}: The Mayan Adventure'': the level select cheat was B, Right, A, Down, Right, Up, B, Left, A, Up, Right, A. Which, of course, makes one wonder just who Brad and Laura are...
* ''VideoGame/HeroesOfMightAndMagic III''. Tab-nwc[culturalreference]. In all three versions of it. One referenced Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail: nwcalreadygotone gives you the holy grail and nwcigotbetter to gain a level. The expansions used Matrix and Star Wars Episode 1 references.
* Similar to the ''Metroid'' example above, the Password system in the NES version of ''VideoGame/MetalGear'' is coded in a way that it recognizes actual names and words. One of the most infamous passwords in the game is [=FUCKM E1111 11111 11111 11111=], which takes the player directly to the final boss battle with no weapons in their equipment. The PAL version censored this by revamping the Password system so that it no longer featured vowels and certain consonants.
* ''VideoGame/HypeTheTimeQuest'' has a bunch of these: thereyougo= all magic, houdini= infinite arrows, druidik= infinite magic, along with a bunch more.
* In the ''VirtuaFighter'' series, Dural was always selectable on the home consoles by pressing Down, Up, Right, A + Left on certain characters (usually the one on the furthest right or left), or D.U.R.A.L. However after 4, you either had to purchase Dural, or attain a certain rank to be able to fight as her.
* ''klapacius'' (later [[ItWasHisSled rosebud]]) from ''VideoGame/TheSims''. Of course, finding how to get the cheat window to pop up is the fun part. (Ctrl-Shift-C, in case you were wondering.)
** We have "motherlode" now.
* One of the oldest cheat codes, and possibly one of the best-known, is "6031769" from the 1983 Sinclair ZXSpectrum game ''ManicMiner'' (it unlocked a teleport system). This was later [[ShoutOut homaged]] in ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'' (by British developers Rockstar North), which uses this as one of its cheat codes.
** The sequel, JetSetWilly, in its original release had a similar teleport system if you typed in the word "typewriter". A later re-release when the author moved from Bug Byte to Software Projects changed it to "writetyper".
* ''{{Carmageddon}}'' has the family unfriendly [[spoiler:IBETYOUCANTPRINTCUNT]] code, which enables Cheat Mode and also gives the player debug access.

* In ''VideoGame/StarWarsEpisodeIRacer'' for the {{Nintendo 64}}, holding down the Z button and using the L Button to set RRTANGENTABACUS as your file name gave you access to the debug menu when you paused. In this menu you could change things like your acceleration and top speed, invulnerability, enabling zero gravity on the whole track, and enabling an otherwise unavailable control scheme with [[DualWielding two N64 joypads]].
* VideoGame/NeverwinterNights had the memorable command "dm_cowsfromhell", which sent a swarm of cows flying around dealing 50 damage and exploding every time they hit anyone.
* In ''VideoGame/YoshisIsland'', you could access several mini-games by holding Select and pressing XXYBA. Not in vain, since you could keep the items you won. Happy farming!
* ''VideoGame/{{Populous}}'' normally has 500 levels, with the level names working as a password system. Entering "killuspal" (kill us, pal) as the password warps you to level 999, which is basically suicidal.
* The KonamiCode (up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Start) was and still is used in several games made by Creator/{{Konami}}. The first time was in the NES game ''VideoGame/{{Gradius}}'', where it gave your ship every powerup available. Another was ''VideoGame/{{Contra}}'', where it gave you 30 lives.
* The game ''[[VideoGame/GoldenEye1997 GoldenEye]]'' for N64 actually featured unlockable cheat codes that could be activated individually for Campaign Mode missions after completing an unspecified challenge within the game. Although, one could simply bypass the Challenge system and use a cheat code to unlock the cheat codes.
* In the SNES port of ''VideoGame/StreetFighterII'', you could punch in Down, R, Up, L, Y, B, on the Capcom logo to unlock mirror matches. The "sequel" ''Street Fighter II Turbo'' used it on controller 2 to enable mega turbo mode or disable specials if done on the "Licensed by Nintendo" screen. ''King of Dragons'' appended X and A to the code to unlock same-character select.
* ''{{Deadlock}}'' had several that could be entered in single player by using the multiplayer talk prompt.
* In the ''HomeAlone'' PC game, you can press Insert, F1, F2, F3 to make Kevin fly. While using that, if you go to the top left or top right corners of the screen, you can end up ''warping to a different room''.
* Some HudsonSoft games allow to continue from the last stage you got GameOver (instead of going back to 1-1) by using [[spoiler: hold LEFT and press START]] cheat code. Works in ''VideoGame/AdventureIsland'' and ''VideoGame/MilonsSecretCastle''.
* ''MazeOfGalious'' had one that was more of a secret move than a cheat code: if you had the Dagger, typing "UMBRELLA" on the keyboard would kill all the GoddamnedBats on screen. There was also "ZEUS", which let you continue after a GameOver.
* Apparently averted by ''VideoGame/LANoire'' which, despite being a Rockstar game like Grand Theft Auto and being a major release in its own right, has apparently no known cheat codes.
* ''VideoGame/EccoTheDolphin'': Pause with Ecco facing you mid-turn, and punch in RIGHT,B,C,B,C,DOWN,C,UP,then press 'start', and you'll get the 'debug menu'. Although you did have to be careful with the level select, due to the way it would glitch on some levels. The unlimited life came in handy. Ecco also had a couple of password-type cheats, namely LIFEFISH and SHARKFIN, for unlimited life and invulnerability. The sequels also had cheats. 'The Tides of Time' had a debug menu and Defender of the Future had cheat codes for level unlock. And yes, you can still access these codes on the {{Wii}} VirtualConsole and Apple apps of the game.
* ''VideoGame/TheLionKing'' had a level select menu that also allowed you to listen to level music. Unfortunately, you would [[NoFairCheating always get bounced back to level 2 after finishing a level]].
* In ''VideoGame/RetroGameChallenge'', your gamer friend will occasionally bring in magazines that contain cheat codes and other [[UrbanLegendOfZelda weird gaming rumors]]. These can even be used when the games are made available to you in Free-Play mode. Most of the cheats you get from the magazines are okay to use on challenges, unless stated otherwise. Though, in a meta-sense, are they actually cheating, or are they part of the game on account of being incorporated in its setting?
* In ''[[VideoGame/MontyMole Monty on the Run]]'', the way to get the infinite lives cheat began with getting a high score and typing in "I WANT TO CHEAT".
* In the PCEngine version of the Irem game ''Mr. Heli no Daibouken'', the code for up to 99 continues was I, II, II, I, Select. Entering the same code in ''Ninja Spirit'' would just display the message "Do you play Mr. Heli?"
* In the NES version of ''VideoGame/IkariWarriors'', [[Music/{{ABBA}} A, B, B, A]] was the code to continue after a GameOver or join as second player.
* BanjoKazooie had a very frustrating cheat code system. To unlock it, you had to collect the Jiggy from the underwater castle in Treasure Trove Cove and then re-enter it. You could then enter the cheat codes... the letters of which were all on the floor and you had to use the Beak Buster power to spell out what you wanted. This could usually take a while, since you ''also'' had to begin the cheat with the word [[AC:'''CHEAT''']], and the cheats themselves were hideously long. As an example, in order to get infinite blue eggs, you needed to enter [[AC:'''CHEATBANJOBEGSFORPLENTYOFEGGS''']].
* ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaIIIDraculasCurse'' had a seemingly superfluous [[HelloInsertNameHere name entry]] feature, until you discovered that naming yourself "HELP ME" changed your [[VideoGameLives life count]] from 3 to 11. [[NintendoHard Which you will find yourself in desperate need of.]]
--> '''WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd:''' "HELPME". That's it, you spell "HELPME". Isn't that the most appropriate password you ever heard? Because anyone who plays this game, that's exactly what you're thinking.

[[folder:In-Universe]]
* In ''VideoGame/SpaceQuest 6'', the ABBACAB cheat is used to activate a secret weapon in the ''Stooge Fighter'' game. You have to learn this by buying a cheat sheet. Unless the cheat is used, the game is rigged against you (because your opponent is already using the secret weapon on you).
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Other Media]]
* Invoked by Jan Valentine of ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'' who screams the Konami Code as he and his ghouls slaughter the anti-vampire defensive forces.
* ''WebComic/KidRadd'' had an infinite Rocketboard cheat activated by Right, Up, Right, A, Down, Down, Start (RURADD).
* ''TabletopGame/PerplexCity'' has a card whose objective is to name the games that originated many of these popular codes.
* The BigBad of ''Film/WreckItRalph'' uses the Konami code to unlock the source code to ''Sugar Rush''.
[[/folder]]

--> '''AngryVideoGameNerd:''' "HELPME". That's it, you spell "HELPME". Isn't that the most appropriate password you ever heard? Because anyone who plays this game, that's exactly what you're thinking.

A cheat code is a beneficial-in-game EasterEgg. If it's completely unrelated (like the flight sim in Excel, or the special room in the Atari 2600 Adventure cartridge) then it's an EasterEgg, but not a cheat code.

* ''VideoGame/KidIcarus'' uses the same game engine and password system as ''Metroid'', and is subject to the same types of strange coincidences. For instance, 8 followed by a series of "you"s, [[AC:[=DANGER !!!!!! TERROR HORROR=]]], [[AC:[=PAKING PAKING PAKING PAKING=]]], [[AC:[=ICARUS FIGHTS MEDUSA ANGELS=]]], and [[AC:[=MEDUSA FIGHTS ICARUS ANGELS=]]].
* In every ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' game, the player can [[HelloInsertNameHere choose a name for the main character]]. Entering the name ZELDA (all caps) in the original ''VideoGame/{{The Legend of Zelda|I}}'' immediately starts the player on [[NewGamePlus the second quest]]. In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening'', entering ZELDA treats you to a catchy remix of the Zelda theme song. '''Something''', no matter how minor, occurs in '''every single game''' in the series.
* [[AC:'''JUSTIN BAILEY''']] - A password beginning with this sequence lets a player start ''VideoGame/{{Metroid}}'' with an unarmored Samus and much of the game completed. Various hypotheses arose as to who or what "Justin Bailey" was, [[note]]One which was submitted to ''Magazine/NintendoPower'' claimed that it was actually three words, "Just In Bailey", as a "bailey" is allegedly outdated slang for a bathing suit. [[UrbanLegendOfZelda It isn't]].[[/note]] but it was later proven to be a coincidence -- the password system was coded so that many English word combinations produce valid results.
** Examples of valid ''Metroid'' passwords include '''[[AC:[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3UyVylP7AI ENGAGE RIDLEY MOTHER FUCKER]]]]''' and [[AC:[[{{Imageboards}} 4CHAN_]] [[PaedoHunt PARTY_ VAN___]] [[MemeticMutation -B-_h0]]]]. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0p5apxEHMo&feature=related No, really]]. [[AC:[=ICARUS FIGHTS BaRACK -OBAMa=]]] puts you into an [[UnwinnableByInsanity unwinnable]] situation where all you can do is fight Kraid.
** ''VideoGame/ShadowComplex'', another {{Metroidvania}}, has a ShoutOut to the famous ''Metroid'' passcode: completing the Master Level Challenge of collecting 100% of its items in under 2 hours gives you the title "Jason Bailey".
** ''VideoGame/{{Catherine}}'' also features a ShoutOut to the code, with a character whose full name is Justin Bailey.
* A ''Metroid'' cheat code that is not a coincidence but which remained undetected for years is [[AC:[=NARPASSWORD=]]]. It's hardcoded to bypass the usual password logic and checksums, and grants Samus infinite health and missiles, the Ice Beam, and every power-up in the game with the exception of Energy Tanks and missile expansions. There are several hypothesis regarding the code's name. Some say the first three letters stand for Tohru Narihito, who converted the game to cartridge format from the original Famicom Disk System version (which used battery backup instead of passwords). Others say the code is short for '''N'''orth '''A'''merican '''R'''elease Password, inserted into the American version for debug purposes. Nintendo themselves claim it stands for '''N'''ot '''A R'''eal Password (ironic since it ''is'' a real password). Still others have searched the game far and wide for the elusive ''[[TheProblemWithPenIsland Narpas Sword]]''...
* In the PC version of ''Franchise/TombRaider II'', attempting to use the "All Weapons" cheat [[note]](one step forward, one step back, turn around three times, and jump back) [[/note]] from the original ''VideoGame/TombRaider'' causes Lara to explode. The sequence ''does'' work as expected if Lara is holding a flare at the time.
** ''Tomb Raider III'' had even more fun with that: you have to do everything like in the second game, ''but'' with your pistols unholstered and adding crouch before turning around. Wielding any other item or omitting the crouch once again causes Lara to explode.

[[folder:Adventure]]
* "XYZZY" is a magic word in ''VideoGame/ColossalCave Adventure''. While not originally a cheat code, homages to ''Colossal Cave'' use it as a cheat code, and the hobbyist text-adventure development community traditionally includes a hidden "xyzzy" command as a tribute. Slightly less commonly used is "PLUGH" which functions the same as "XYZZY" in ''Colossal Cave''. (Depending on what version of the game you play, other words such as "PLOVER" and "LWPI" also appear.)
** Trying either "PLUGH" or "XYZZY" in ''VideoGame/{{Zork}}'' causes the game to tell you "A hollow voice says 'Fool'." This in itself is commonly referenced.

** ''VideoGame/KingdomOfLoathing'', a text-adventure parody in itself, references this in the Leaflet Quest.

** The adult text adventure game ''Moist'' has "XYZZY" teleport you to the ballroom in the middle of the map (and {{lampshade|Hanging}}s it with the comment "Good to see the old magic still works").
* The first ''VideoGame/{{Zork}}'' game has the instructions on how to use the boat start with the phrase "Hello, Sailor!" (The game gives the same response to "Hello, Sailor!" as it does to [[VideoGame/ColossalCave "XYZZY" and "PLUGH"]].) The second game has the same things built in and also introduces "Hello, Aviator!" on the instructions for how to use the hot air balloon. These become a BrickJoke in the third game, in which saying "Hello, Sailor!" at the right time and place nets you an invisibility potion.

** ''VideoGame/{{Heretic}}'' includes "IDDQD"... but, in a case of JackassGenie, doing so instantly kills you with the message "Trying to cheat, eh? Now you die!". Likewise, "IDKFA" deprives you of everything except a staff ("Cheater - you don't deserve weapons!"). Players were likely to try these codes at least once, considering that the game used the ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' engine.

** Using "IDDQD" in ''VideoGame/MechWarrior 2'' detonates your [[HumongousMecha BattleMech]] with the message "This ain't Doom, bub".

** If you have one of the older versions of Excel that has [[EasterEgg the mini-FPS hidden inside it]], try the code "EXCELKFA".

* In ''VideoGame/{{Heretic}}'', god mode is "QUICKEN" and all weapons is "RAMBO".
** If you try "QUICKEN" three times in the sequel ''Hexen'', your character instantly dies. However, in an unintended and unforeseen portability between the two games, typing "QUICKEN" and then "RAMBO" just so happens to include the sequence for ''Hexen'''s own all weapons code: "NRA".

[[folder:Real-Time Strategy]]
* The ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpires'' series of games is really fond of its cheat codes.
** The first game -- which is set in ancient times -- can give you a Franchise/JamesBond-style car with hidden rocket launchers ("BIGDADDY"), or futuristic soldiers that can fire powerful (nuclear) missiles across the map ("[=E=MC2=] TROOPER") or that wield laser-[=SMGs=] ("PHOTON MAN"). Then there are codes like "FLYING DUTCHMAN" which enables your ships to travel over land, "JACK BE NIMBLE" which gives you a powerful catapult that fires villagers and cows, and "MEDUSA" which reincarnates every peasant as a more powerful unit every time they die. "DARK RAIN" makes your archers turn into trees when not moving, which is very effective for multiplayer games.
** The third game, set in TheColonialPeriod, has "[[WebAnimation/TeenGirlSquad Sooo Good]]" which shows kill messages like "Musketeer'd!", "tuck tuck tuck" which gives you a highly invincible monster truck (or "Tommynator", if you will) that rolls over enemy units and buildings, and "Where's that axe?" which unleashes a giant GeorgeWashington bust on your enemies (going by the name of "George Crushington" and [[IncendiaryExponent breathing fire]]).

* The Sega Megadrive has Up, Down, Left, Right, Then hold A + Start to activate a cheat. In ''SonicTheHedgehog'' the code enables level select. A variation was used (Pressing "C" between the button combinations [IE. Up, C, Down, C, etc.]) to activate debug mode. The code is also useful in ''TheTerminator'', and many other games for the system.
* For layers of awesome, it's hard to beat ''VideoGame/MortalKombat'''s cheat code on the Sega Genesis to unlock actual blood. The code was [[AC:ABACABB]], which was quite likely reference to the album ''[=ABACAB=]'' by TheEighties rock band... wait for it... Music/{{Genesis}}! The Genesis version of TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}} has a variation--[[AC:[=ABBACAB=]]], most likely also referencing the band's album.
** Speaking of ''Mortal Kombat'', the master cheat for the Sega Saturn version of ''Ultimate VideoGame/MortalKombat3'' is CRAZYCYRAX, where R corresponds to the right shoulder button, not right on the D-pad.
* In reference to a rumor in ''{{VideoGame/Diablo}}'' and an actual level in ''[[VideoGame/{{Diablo}} Diablo II]]'', the password for an instant win in ''{{Starcraft}}'' is "there is no cow level." There was also an user group in the Blizzard forums before the official release of ''{{Starcraft}}'', known as "Operation: CWAL (Can't Wait Any Longer)"; as a ShoutOut, the cheat code for super fast construction is "operation cwal". The cheat for infinite energy is "the gathering" a reference to MagicTheGathering. Other cheats include "black sheep wall", "food for thought", "power overwhelming". ''VIdeoGame/StarcraftII'' has terribleterribledamage and moredotsmoredots
** Interesting to note that ''VideoGame/{{Diablo III}}'' has ANOTHER "cow level" (Whimshire), but the way to get here is much more based on luck (it's a collection quest). Blizzard has also created the Tauren race for ''{{World of Warcraft}}'', probably as homage for the entire thing.
* In the first ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}}'', the code to enable cheat codes was [[Literature/TheChroniclesOfAmber "corwin of amber"]]. The "god mode" cheat (making your units invincible and allowing them to kill enemies in one hit" was "[[Franchise/{{Highlander}} it is a good day to die]]". "[[Theatre/JuliusCaesar ides of march]]" took you to the last mission for the campaign, while "[[Theatre/{{Macbeth}} eye of newt]]" gave all casters all spell upgrades.
* In ''Warcraft II'', [[Franchise/StarTrek "on screen" removes the fog of war, "make it so" gives fast building/training/researching, and "it is a good day to die" makes your units invincible and capable of killing most enemies in one hit]]. Meanwhile, "[[Franchise/{{Highlander}} there can be only one]]" results in instant victory, and "[[Music/ThePolice every little thing she does]]" upgrades your units' magic.
* The instant win password in ''Warcraft III'' is "[[VideoGame/ZeroWing allyourbasearebelongtous]]"; the instant defeat password, meanwhile, is "somebodysetupusthebomb". The code to give yourself gold is "[[Film/TheUsualSuspects keysersoze]] ''n''", where ''n'' is the amount you want. "[[Film/WallStreet greedisgood]] ''n''" gets you ''n'' of both gold and lumber. "[[Film/TheMatrix thereisnospoon]]" gives all units infinite mana. "[[Film/{{Gladiator}} strength and honor]]" prevents the computer from declaring your loss. "[[Literature/AtlasShrugged whoisjohngalt]]" allows research upgrades even if you haven't met the requirements (such as having a Workshop in order to research Long Rifles); [[Franchise/StarTrek WarpTen]] gives instant builds, and you get instant death attacks for all your units with [[Film/ThePrincessBride IocainePowder]]. Finally, "[[TheSixthSense iseedeadpeople]]" removes the FogOfWar while the instant-death plus invincibility cheat is "whosyourdaddy".
* Quite a few games for SegaGenesis used the password B, A, Right, Right, A, C, Up, Down, A for some hidden feature; when abbreviated, this spells out "barracuda".
* To cheat your way through ''Shining Force II'', at the title screen, you must use the password Up, Down, Up, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Up, Right, Down, Left, Up, B, and then Hold Start and select your game using the C button (You will know when you've gotten it right because the game plays the ItemGet theme). From here, you could fool the game into thinking you've completed it already, speed up the time it took for the cursor to run around the map, and decide whether you wanted full control of all characters given to the computer or yourself, if you wanted full control at all.
* The Sega Genesis game ''Skitchin''' used [[BadAss B, A, Down, A, Start, Start]].
** Note that the code didn't unlock anything except for the ability to put in secret passwords, like starting on later levels (PIZZA to start on Chicago, for example), change your character's head (MOHAWK to get a...[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin you know]]), or getting items to use during races (THRASH to get the most powerful weapons).
* The ''VideoGame/{{Crusader}}'' games' cheat codes required an activation code to be entered. In the first, this was [=JASSICA16=]. In the second game, entering this would result in a message popping up, saying, "Of course we changed the cheats...duh." And then you were teleported to an open room with no cover to face down ten of the game's [[BigBad boss fight]] at once. (In ''No Regret'', the "activation" code was [=LOOSECANNON16=], the game being the brainchild of...Loose Cannon.)
* The "Supreme Cheat" from the first ''VideoGame/{{Turok}}'' game was easy to remember if you knew what it stood for (and then removed the vowels): [[AC:[=NTHGHTHDGDCRTDTRK=]]], which stands for "O'''N''' '''TH'''E EI'''GHTH''' '''D'''AY '''G'''O'''D''' '''CR'''EA'''T'''E'''D''' '''T'''U'''R'''O'''K'''". The sequel had a cheat that also functioned as a SequelHook, bewareoblivionisathand ([[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything except for the PC port, which came out ''after'' ''Turok 3'': "oblivionisamongus"]]).
* ''PerplexCity'' has a card whose objective was naming the games many of these codes were from.
* A few examples in the ''VideoGame/SimCity'' series:
** In the original, "iamacheat" gave you ten grand, no problem. Well... every fifth time you entered it, there was an ''[[NoFairCheating earthquake]]''.
** ''2000'' used "FUND", the cheat code to give you more money in the original, as a request for you to be ''loaned'' $10,000 at ''30 percent interest a week''. (This could be [[DoubleSubversion exploited]] by using it repeatedly until the ridiculous interest rate wrapped around and turned hugely negative.) As a ShoutOut, entering "fund" in the cheat console of ** ''3000'' makes your news ticker scroll a message about "an ancient, arcane code". "iamacheat" gives you $500,000 and unlocks all buildings and rewards. Typing "priscilla" gives access to a lovely Debug console. "[[MyCousinVinny Call Cousin Vinnie]]" causes a shady-looking character would show up in a message offering a large sum of money. The offer would only work once per game, and if you rejected it, a cop would arrive congratulating you for passing a SecretTestOfCharacter and give you another code, which gives you the ability to build a castle, so you kinda won either way.
* In ''SimAnt'' the ''VideoGame/SimCity'' "iamacheat" code (see above) results in a message saying "Congratulations, you are now $10,000 richer. Unfortunately, money is useless in this game." And using it in ''[=SimFarm=]'' donates the money to the nearby city, rather than to your own bank account. Rather than actually doing something useful with the money, the mayor squanders it all on a new car.
* ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry'' has "BARRAL", the 50 lives cheat. There is also "DYDDY" for accessing the bonus stages ("Diddy" being the name of Donkey Kong's sidekick, of course!)
** Entering "B-A-down-B-up-down-down-Y" (BAD BUDDY) after selecting "Erase Game" on the file select screen allows players to swap out in co-op mode by just one person pressing the 'A' button, and pressing "down-A-R-B-Y-down-A-Y", then Select in the same manner changes the music on the screen.
** ''[[VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry Donkey Kong Country 2]]'' features two cheats on the game select screen that spelled words. "BARRALAX" removes the DK barrels [[note]]Barrel Ax[[/note]], and "YASADLAD" gives you 50 lives (because if you need 50 lives to beat the game, YA have to be a SAD LAD).
* ''[[VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry Donkey Kong Country 3]]'' has a code menu you could access with a key combination, but then you'd have to input letters to create the code, and it had quite a few codes to play around with. Where's the fun in that?

* ''VideoGame/MegaMan2'': A5 B2 D5 D4 C5 C1 B4 C3 E2. Many gamers fondly remember this password that brought them to Wily's Castle with 4 E-Tanks. You may not remember those exact coordinates, but I can assure that you will [[http://www.mmhp.net/GameHints/MM2.html#Pass recognize it once you see it.]]

Some of the most well known Cheat codes are from the original ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' (The aforementioned IDDQD and IDKFA). One of the other most common cheat codes is just typing the word "god" in the console.

!!Examples:
* The ''AgeOfEmpires'' series of games is really fond of its cheat codes.
** The first game for instance, which is set in [[CrystalSpiresAndTogas ancient times]], can give you a Bond-style car with two rocket launchers hidden in the front lights (''Big Daddy''), or futuristic soldiers that could either fire powerful (nuclear) missiles from one end of the map to another or that wield laser-[=SMGs=] (''E=MC Trooper'' and ''Photon Man''). Then, there are codes like ''Flying Dutchman'', which enabled your ships to travel over land. ''Jack be nimble'' gives you a powerful catapult that fires villagers and cows, and ''Medusa'' reincarnates every peasant as a more powerful unit every time they die. ''Dark Rain'' makes your archers turn into trees when not moving, which is very effective for MP games.
** In the third game, set in TheColonialPeriod, has ''Soo Good'', which gives every unit killed an onscreen message (*Killer Unit*'''d!''), ''Tuck Tuck Tuck'' gives you a highly invincible monster truck (or 'Tommynator', if you will) that rolls over enemy units and buildings, and ''Where's That Axe'' unleashed a giant George Washington bust on your enemies (going by the name of 'George Crushington'... and breathing fire).
* The code 'XYZZY' was a magic word within the original ColossalCave Adventure. In Colossal Cave itself it was not a cheat code, but part of the normal game (it is used to teleport between two locations); however, homages to the game have used it as a cheat code, and the hobbyist text-adventure development community traditionally includes a hidden 'xyzzy' command as a tribute to Colossal Cave.
** Slightly less commonly used is 'PLUGH' which functioned the same way as 'XYZZY' in Colossal Cave. (Depending on what version of the game you play, other similar words such as 'PLOVER' and 'LWPI' also appear.)
** Trying either PLUGH or XYZZY in ''VideoGame/{{Zork}}'' causes the game to tell you "A hollow voice says 'Fool'." This in itself is commonly referenced.

** In the online text adventure game Grueslayer on Uncyclopedia, there will usually be an option to either pronounce or say 'xyzzy' or a variant with a different number of X's and Z's. Doing this at any time will kill you horribly.
** Some versions of Windows ''{{Minesweeper}}'' used 'ctrl+xyzzy' as a cheat allowing the player to identify whether or not a given square contained a mine by looking at the upper-left-most pixel of the screen.
** ''KingdomOfLoathing'' references this in the Leaflet Quest, a text-adventure parody in itself.

** The adult text adventure game ''Moist'' has XYZZY teleport you to the ballroom in the middle of the map (and [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] it with the comment "Good to see the old magic still works").
* The first ''VideoGame/{{Zork}}'' game started the instructions on how to use the boat with the phrase "Hello, Sailor!." The game gives the same response to saying "Hello, Sailor!" as it does to XYZZY and PLUGH (above). The second game had the same things built in and also introduced "Hello, Aviator!" on the instructions for how to use the hot air balloon. These became a BrickJoke in the third game, in which saying "Hello, Sailor!" at the right time and place netted you an invisibility potion.
* ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' had a number of cheat codes prefixed by the character sequence "id". The most popular of them were IDDQD and IDKFA. The first one gave the player [[GodMode immortality]]; the second, full megaarmor protection, all weapons, ammo and keys. (While the "ID" prefix obviously stands for Creator/IdSoftware, who created the game, not many fans know that "DQD" stands for Delta-Q-Delta, the name of a three-person informal fraternity organized by ''Doom'' programmer Dave Tailor during his college days. "KFA" simply stands for Keys, Full Ammo. [[note]]There are less likely interpretations such as Killer Fucking Arsenal[[/note]]) Several later games, particularly {{FPS}}es, have carried on the tradition.
** Speaking of other first person shooter games, the game ''{{Heretic}}'' allowed you to use IDDQD... but, in a case of JackassGenie, doing so instantly killed you, with the words ''"Trying to cheat, eh? Now you die!"'' appearing on the screen. Likewise, IDKFA deprived you of everything except a staff (''"Cheater - you don't deserve weapons!"''). Players were especially likely to ''try'' these cheat codes at least once, considering that the game used the ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' engine.
** If you put in any code from the original Doom games in the developer console in the ''[[VideoGame/{{Doom}} Doom 3]]'', a message would appear that said "Your memory serves you well!" and nothing more.
** There was an unintended and unforeseen cheat code portability between ''Heretic'' and its sequel ''Hexen''. If you entered the invincibility code ([[spoiler:QUICKEN]]) and the all weapons code ([[spoiler:RAMBO]]) from ''Heretic'' while playing ''Hexen'', ''Hexen'' would pick up its own all weapons code ([[spoiler:NRA]]).
** Using IDDQD in MechWarrior 2 detonated your [[HumongousMecha BattleMech]], with the message "This ain't Doom, bub"
** In Activision's Windows release of ''VideoGame/EarthwormJim'', entering IDDQD and IDKFA would display two different credits screens.
** The original NOCLIP code for ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' was IDSPISPOPD. It was both a code and an in-joke, considering it was an acronym for "[[Music/TheSmashingPumpkins Smashing pumpkins]] into small piles of putrid debris." [[note]]The phrase comes from Usenet discussions related to DOOM prior to its release. A [[http://www.giantbomb.com/smashing-pumpkins-into-small-piles-of-putrid-debris/61-7336/ game]] based around the concept was also released.[[/note]] {{Lampshaded}} in the novel for Doom, where the Cacodemons are called Pumpkins by the hero(es) and after a particularly gruesome encounter, the ActionGirl shouts, "OOH-RAH! Smashing pumpkins into small piles of putrid debris!"
** IDSPISPOPD is referenced in a ''Website/{{Cracked}}'' Photoplasty: [[http://www.cracked.com/photoplasty_273_26-ads-products-that-must-exist-in-video-games_p26/#18 Ads for Products That Must Exist in Video Games]]
** If you have one of the older versions of Excel that has the mini-FPS hidden inside it, try the code "EXCELKFA."
** Typing "IDKFA" into [[TonyHawksProSkater Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3's]] password entry screen allows you to skate as the [[GuestFighter Doom Guy]], complete with his own set of ''Doom'' themed skateboards.
** [[EpicFail None]] of IDKFA, IDDQD, IDSPISPOPD, IDBEHOLD or their ilk work on the version that comes with the ''Doom 3'' BFG Edition.
* In the PC version of ''[[Franchise/TombRaider Tomb Raider II]]'', attempting to use the All Weapons cheat [[note]](one step forward, one step back, turn around three times, and jump back) [[/note]] from the original ''VideoGame/TombRaider'' would cause Lara to explode. The sequence ''did'' work if Lara was holding a flare at the time.
** And ''[[Franchise/TombRaider Tomb Raider III]]'' had even more fun with that - you had to do everything like in second game, ''but'' with your pistols unholstered and adding crouch before turning around. Any other item in hands than pistols or ommiting the crouch cause Lara to explode.
* [[AC:'''JUSTIN BAILEY''']] - A password beginning with this sequence lets a player start ''VideoGame/{{Metroid}}'' with an unarmored Samus and much of the game completed. Various theories arose as to who or what "Justin Bailey" was, but it was later proven to be a coincidence - the password system was coded so that many English word combinations produced valid results.
** One theory stated that it was actually three words, "Just In Bailey", as, according to [[UrbanLegendOfZelda now discredited legend]], a "bailey" was supposed to be outdated slang for a bathing suit. (Nope.)
** A ''Metroid'' cheat code that was not a coincidence, but which remained undetected for years, is [[AC:[=NARPASSWORD=]]]. This assumed debug mode gives Samus infinite health and missiles, the Ice Beam, and every power-up in the game with the exception of Energy Tanks and missile expansions.
** There's a couple of theories as to what the code is short for: Some say the first three letters stand for Tohru Narihito, who converted the game to cartridge format from the original Famicom Disk System version, which used saves instead of passwords, but others say the code is short for '''N'''orth '''A'''merican '''R'''elease Password, inserted into the American version for debug purposes. Nintendo themselves claim it stood for '''N'''ot '''A R'''eal Password, ironic since it ''was'' a real password, while still others have searched the game far and wide for the elusive ''[[TheProblemWithPenIsland Narpas Sword]]''...
** Along similar lines, ''KidIcarus'' (which used the same game engine and password system as ''Metroid'') featured no less than five such passwords - 8 followed by a series of "you"s, [[AC:[=DANGER !!!!!! TERROR HORROR=]]], [[AC:[=PAKING PAKING PAKING PAKING=]]], [[AC:[=ICARUS FIGHTS MEDUSA ANGELS=]]], and [[AC:[=MEDUSA FIGHTS ICARUS ANGELS=]]]. Whether or not any of these are 'intentional' is, as with Metroid's passwords, hard to tell.
** The single greatest ''Metroid'' password ever is '''[[AC:[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3UyVylP7AI ENGAGE RIDLEY MOTHER FUCKER]]]]'''.
** Or: [[AC:[[{{Imageboards}} 4CHAN]]_ [[PaedoHunt PARTY_ VAN___]] [[MemeticMutation -B-_H_]]]]. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0p5apxEHMo&feature=related No, really]].
** [[AC:[=ICARUS FIGHTS BaRACK -OBAMa=]]] puts you into an [[UnwinnableByInsanity unwinnable]] situation where all you can do is fight Kraid.
* ''ShadowComplex'', another {{Metroidvania}}, has a ShoutOut to the famous ''Metroid'' passcode - Completing the Master Level Challenge of collecting 100% of its items in under 2 hours gives you the title "Jason Bailey".
** ''{{Catherine}}'' also features a ShoutOut to the code, with a character whose full name is Justin Bailey.
* In every ''Zelda'' game, the player can [[HelloInsertNameHere choose a name for the main character]]. If the player enters the name ZELDA (all caps) in the original ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda'', the [[NewGamePlus second quest]] can be played. In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening'', entering ZELDA treats you to a catchy remix of the Zelda theme song. ''Something'', no matter how minor, occurs in ''every single game'' in the series.

* In reference to a rumor in ''{{VideoGame/Diablo}}'' and an actual level in ''[[VideoGame/{{Diablo}} Diablo II]]'', the password for an instant win in ''{{Starcraft}}'' is "there is no cow level." There was also an user group in the Blizzard forums before the official release of ''{{Starcraft}}'', known as "Operation: CWAL (Can't Wait Any Longer)"; as a ShoutOut, the cheat code for super fast construction is "operation cwal". The cheat for infinite energy is "the gathering" a reference to MagicTheGathering. Other cheats include "black sheep wall", "food for thought", "power overwhelming". ''VIdeoGame/StarcraftII'' has terribleterribledamage and moredotsmoredots

* ''CastlevaniaIIIDraculasCurse'' had a seemingly superfluous [[HelloInsertNameHere name entry]] feature, until you discovered that naming yourself "HELP ME" changed your [[VideoGameLives life count]] from 3 to 11. [[NintendoHard Which you will find yourself in desperate need of.]]

!!Fictional Examples
* In ''VideoGame/SpaceQuest 6'', the ABBACAB cheat is used to activate a secret weapon on the Stooge Fighter game. You have to learn this by buying a cheat sheet. Unless the cheat is used, the game is rigged against you (because your opponent is already using the secret weapon on you).

* TheBigBad of ''Film/WreckItRalph'' uses the Konami code to unlock the source code to ''Sugar Rush''.
* Invoked by Jan Valentine of ''{{Hellsing}}'' fame, screaming the Konami Code as he and his ghoul force slaughter the anti-vampire defensive forces.