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 ''VideoGame/DiabloII''). 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 [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtvIYRrgZ04&t=1m51s moredotsmoredots]].

* Holding down shift and pressing 838 while on the title screen opened up a developer's screen on many [[UsefulNotes/{{TI99}} TI-99/4A]] games, typically allowing you to choose what level to start on, how many lives you had, etc.
* UsefulNotes/GameBoy:

* In the UsefulNotes/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 ''VideoGame/NinjaSpirit'' would just display the message "Do you play Mr. Heli?" (This confused some American players, since ''Mr. Heli'' was released in the U.S. only as an UsefulNotes/ArcadeGame under the MarketBasedTitle ''Battle Chopper''.)

* One of the oldest cheat codes, and possibly one of the best-known, is "6031769" from the 1983 Sinclair UsefulNotes/ZXSpectrum game ''VideoGame/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.

* {{Parodied|Trope}} to a mocking degree in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG''. When the player inputs Down-Up-Right-Left-L-R-L-R-B while in the menu, Toad pops in to congratulate the player on unlocking the secret code. But when he looks over your stats and experience points, he notes that nothing has changed, meaning the code does absolutely nothing gameplay-wise. The gag was exclusive to the Japanese version in the original [[UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem SNES]] but added to all regional versions in the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch [[VideoGameRemake remake]].

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* {{Parodied|Trope}} to a mocking degree in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG''. When the player inputs Down-Up-Right-Left-L-R-L-R-B while in the menu, Toad pops in to congratulate the player on unlocking the secret code. But when he looks over your stats and experience points, he notes that nothing has changed, meaning the code does absolutely nothing gameplay-wise. The gag was exclusive to the Japanese version in the original [[UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem SNES]] but added to all regional versions in the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch [[VideoGameRemake remake]].
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* ''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. Popular fanmade expansion Wake of the Gods replaces cheatcodes as well - this time with Lord Of The Rings references.
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[[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.
* ''TabletopGame/PerplexCity'' has a card whose objective is to name the games that originated many of these popular codes.
* The BigBad of ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'' uses the KonamiCode to unlock the source code to ''Sugar Rush''.
* Holding down shift and pressing 838 while on the title screen opened up a developer's screen on many [[UsefulNotes/{{TI99}} TI-99/4A]] games, typically allowing you to choose what level to start on, how many lives you had, etc.
* Many UsefulNotes/GameBoy games used Up, A, Start. When used any time, it would cause an in-game reset.
** This is referenced in the [[WebAnimation/HomestarRunner Strong Bad Email]] "keep cool" as the last thing lifeguard Strong Bad recommends doing before getting in the pool after eating.
* Try the Creator/{{Konami}} code (Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, left, Right, B, A) on this website: http://www.vogue.co.uk/
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** In the online text adventure game ''Grueslayer'' on Wiki/{{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.

* In ''VideoGame/AxiomVerge'', once you get the ability to enter passwords, entering "JUSTIN BAILEY" will do exactly what you expect it to do and put the protagonist in a LeotardOfPower that shows a lot of leg. [[WholesomeCrossdresser Even though this protagonist is male]]. [[spoiler:The BigBad also gets a leotard during the final boss fight. Appropriate, since he and the protagonist [[CloningBlues are technically the same person]]]].

* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog''

* All of the [[VideoGame/AgeOfEmpires Age]] [[VideoGame/AgeOfMythology Of]] games have stock cheats that devious players (or campaign schemers) will know off by heart, ready to Ctrl+V and double-Enter into oblivion. The resource ones are arguably the most well-known, for Food[[note]]Pepperoni Pizza, Cheese Steak Jimmy's, Junk Food Night, Medium Rare Please[[/note]], Wood[[note]]Woodstock, Lumberjack, Trojan Horse For Sale, <censored>[[/note]], Stone[[note]]Quarry, Rock On, [[/note]] and Gold[[note]]Coinage, Robin Hood, ATM of Erebus, Give Me Liberty or Give Me Coin[[/note]], as well as instant units and research.[[note]]Steroids, Aegis, [=L33T=] SUPA [=H4X0R=], Speed Always Wins[[/note]]

* 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 Attack*100-plus-invincibility cheat is "whosyourdaddy".

->'''Devil:''' I'll grant you any three wishes. Just remember, you'll be going to Hell afterwards.\\
'''Gamer:''' Alright. 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]]

* [[VideoGame/SpyroTheDragon The]] [[VideoGame/Spyro2RiptosRage original]] [[VideoGame/SpyroYearOfTheDragon Spyro]] games on [=PS1=] featured cheat codes for 99 lives, Big Head Mode, Flat Spyro, colour changing and level warps (although not all at once in the same game).
** For ''VideoGame/SpyroReignitedTrilogy'', only the 99 Lives code from 1, the colour-changing codes and the Big Head/Flat Spyro codes from 3 were used. This is because they're the only ones that don't use the Circle button (unless it's the last input), as that cancels out of the remake's pause menu.

** B, A, R, R, A, L (Barrel) — Grants 50 lives upon starting or loading a file.
** Down, Y, Down, Down, Y (DYDDY -> Diddy) — Instant access to the animal bonus stages.
** Down, A, R, B, Y, Down, A, Y (Darby Day) — SoundTest.
** B, A, Down, B, A, Down, Down, Y (Bad Buddy) — Allows either player to switch in two-player co-op, not just the active player.

* The ''VideoGame/DarkForcesSaga'' is consistent across the years with cheats unlocked by entering either "devmapall" or "helpusobi 1" and featuring a godmode (god) all weapons, ammo and full health/shields (give [blank] or give all) level jumps, noclip mode and the latter two games letting you set Force powers as high as you like and spawn both friendly and hostile {{Non Player Character}}s. Also present in the last game is a punching mechanic, unlocked with the code "iknowkungfu." The [=PS4=] port of ''Jedi Outcast'' allows for cheats by pausing the game and inputting up, down, up, down [=L3=], [=R3=], [=L3=]. Each of the cheats is accompanied by a MythologyGag and, while most achievements are disabled, there is an achievement for completing a level with a cheat code active.

* In ''VideoGame/AxiomVerge'', once you get the ability to enter passwords, entering "JUSTIN BAILEY" will do exactly what you expect it to do and put the protagonist in a LeotardOfPower that [[ShesGotLegs shows a lot of leg]]. [[WholesomeCrossdresser Even though this protagonist is male]]. [[spoiler:The BigBad also gets a leotard during the final boss fight. Appropriate, since he and the protagonist [[CloningBlues are technically the same person]]]].

** In the PC version of ''VideoGame/TombRaiderII'', 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.

** "notarget", which [[{{Invisibility}} prevents enemies from noticing the player]]. Interestingly, in ''Quake'' itself, it only worked as long as the player didn't attack them, similarly to the Ring of Shadows powerup.

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

* In ''VideoGame/AxiomVerge'', you can enter "JUSTIN-BAILEY" on the password screen and activate it for an EasterEgg.

* "XYZZY" is a magic word in ''VideoGame/ColossalCave Adventure''. While not originally a cheat code, homages to ''Colossal Cave'' use it as such, 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.)

** Use of this word in Level 9's ''Snowball'' (or indeed, any magic word from any of their previous games) would cause a psychiatric droid to tap you on the shoulder, then tranquillize you, and you would wake up in a padded cell. Fortunately, there was a way out. It can be used to [[WarpWhistle teleport away from death]], and lets you into an area that you might not have unlocked yet, but this can lead to ScriptBreaking and even make the game UnWinnable.

** '''[[AC:[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3UyVylP7AI ENGAGE RIDLEY MOTHER FUCKER]]]]'''. Depending on the method used to play the game, it will cause negative effects of varying severity, with the most minor of them resetting the game back to the title screen, up to hardlocking the entire system it's being played on with the potential to cause some damage to the system itself in case of the 3DS Ambassador version at its worst. The reason why the password is so destructive is because it not only has an invalid starting location, but it also changes the total ingame time value (which is used to determine the ending you get) to ''2.86'' billion, which comes out to ''314.5 years'' of total playtime.