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Five Beloved GameShark Codes
Video game cheat devices aren’t what they used to be. In the ‘90s, the GameShark allowed us to pretend like we were “hacking” our games. Now cheat codes of all kinds are on life support.
If you’re unfamiliar, a GameShark is a piece of hardware that attaches to a system and manipulates a game’s properties. The most common codes offer unlimited health or unlock weapons, but others push games further – sometimes to a breaking point.
The following are five beloved GameShark codes, in no particular order.
Warning: There are spoilers for Final Fantasy VII and Twisted Metal 2, which are both over 15 years old.
GoldenEye 007: Visit the Secret Island
Eagle-eyed gamers became obsessed with a mysterious island near the end of the first level of GoldenEye. Before Bond leaps off the dam, if you turn and look across the lake you can barely make out the island on the far side. Just pull out your sniper rifle, which you’ll still have, of course, because in GoldenEye you can carry enough weapons to supply an army.
The dam is a military facility, so it’s reasonable to wonder what could possibly be hidden on that tiny island. By using a “no clipping” code, you can traverse the water and check out the place for yourself.
By the way, the island sucks. There’s a gun turret and an empty watchtower – no secret gadgets, no hidden tunnels, and no reason to be there. Thanks, GameShark, for demystifying that last bit of childhood wonder.
Pokémon Yellow: Fight Professor Oak
After discovering that your mother is still single, Professor Oak sends you – a young child – on a lengthy, dangerous quest to catch every Pokémon. It’s OK to be upset with him.
In Pokémon Yellow, the professor has unused trainer data, implying that he was at one point meant to battle the player. His lineup features five Pokémon, including a Gyarados and a fully evolved starter Pokémon, all around level 70.
You can duel Oak using glitches, but initiating the battle with a GameShark is much easier. The fight is difficult, though if you have a GameShark, you’ve probably already eaten a mountain of rare candies.
Final Fantasy VII: Sephiroth Joins Your Party
Sephiroth burned down your hometown and killed your love interest. Naturally, you want to hang out with him.
Even with a GameShark, adding Sephiroth to your party is tricky business. Some of the codes substitute him in place of another character, and using his one-winged angel form begs your game to crash. Still, it’s worth it to finally wield the best-looking sword (and haircut) in Final Fantasy VII. Just don’t use the GameShark to bring Aeris back, too. That could get awkward.
Up next: Kart killers and ice cream from the sewers...
Mario Kart 64: Unlimited Blue Shells for Everyone
Yeah, OK, on the surface this is just a fancy version of the classic “unlimited ammo” cheat. But it’s the content that sets this GameShark code apart from the rest.
Because they seek out the kart in first place, blue shells reward those who don’t actively fight to lead the pack. However, some people believe the uncertainty they bring to Mario Kart is a core part of the experience. Giving every racer unlimited blue shells knocks the sacred weapon from its pedestal and makes for some exciting final-lap maneuvers.
Twisted Metal 2: Play as Dark Tooth
After defeating every standard enemy in Hong Kong, the final level of Twisted Metal 2, Sweet Tooth’s father rises from the sewers to avenge his fallen child. Like his son, Dark Tooth drives an ice-cream truck. Unlike his son, Dark Tooth’s ice-cream truck is the size of a house. How did it fit in the sewers?
If you’ve ever mixed a Tonka Truck in with your set of Hot Wheels cars, you know what playing as Dark Tooth feels like. Due to his ridiculous size and armor, you can simply ram most other drivers to death with little trouble.
For some reason, the giant flaming head atop the ice-cream truck never stays attached when using this GameShark code. Good thing you don’t need it.
Your Turn!
If you think you have what it takes to make your own GameShark codes, it might be useful to watch "How To Hack Like A Pro", a video about “the mind-blowing world of video game enhancements.” The VHS originally came bundled with the Nintendo 64 version of the GameShark Pro, but one generous YouTube user has immortalized the footage in the digital realm.
If we forgot to include your favorite GameShark cheats, let us know in the comments below!
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