Konami Code

The Konami Code (Japanese: コナミコマンド, Konami komando, "Konami command") is a cheat code that appears in many Konami video games,[1] and some non-Konami games.[2] In the original code, the player can press the following sequence of buttons on the game controller to enable a cheat or other effects:

The Konami Code

↑↑↓↓←→←→BA

The code has also found a place in popular culture as a reference to the third generation of video game consoles,[3] and is present as an Easter egg in a number of websites.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

History

The code was first used in the 1986 release of Gradius, a scrolling shooter for the NES[10] and was popularized among North American players in the NES version of Contra, for which it was also dubbed both the "Contra Code" and "30 Lives Code", due to its near necessity in-game.

The Konami Code was created by Kazuhisa Hashimoto who was developing the home port of the 1985 arcade game Gradius for the NES. Finding the game too difficult to play through during testing, he created a cheat code to give the player a full set of power-ups (normally attained gradually throughout the game).[2] After entering the sequence using the controller when the game was paused the player received all available power-ups. The code was meant to be removed prior to publishing, but this was overlooked and discovered as the game was being prepared for mass production. The developers decided to leave it there, as removing it could result in new bugs and glitches. The sequence was easy enough to remember for testers and simultaneously sufficiently hard to enter accidentally during the gameplay for unsuspecting users.

The Konami Code was thus included in the series' other sequels and spin-offs, with some key differences:

• In the Super NES version of Gradius III, the original code destroys the player's ship. However, replacing ← and → with the L and R triggers of the SNES controller powers up the ship.
• In the most recent iteration of the series—Gradius Rebirth on the Wii—the Wii Remote's 1 and 2 buttons fill in for A and B, respectively.

The code has been subsequently re-used in a large number of other games and a varied version of the code is now used in the Opera Browser to activate hidden advanced settings.[11]

Variations of the Konami Code

The original version of the cheat code was designed for the NES controller. The exact sequence varies from game to game and has been adapted to fit the button layouts of different video game consoles, mostly the A and B buttons. For example:

• Any code for a PlayStation controller, which uses shapes instead of letters, would use "×, ○", appearing even in Konami's Dance Dance Revolution series, input on the dance pad.
• In mobile phone games by Konami, they are replaced by 5 7 3 on the numerical pad, which is the goroawase pronunciation for "konami"; 5 is pronounced go, 7 can be pronounced nana or just na for short, and 3 is usually pronounced as 'san' but has an alternative pronunciation of 'mi'. Together, this becomes ko-na-mi.
• 573 is also used extensively in the Dance Dance Revolution series; the original board for DDR 1stMIX (also used in many other Konami designs) was called System 573, the maximum combo in several difficult songs (such as MAX 300) is 573, high scores often start out at 573 000 or similar, and so on.

These deviations may occur for purely operational reasons (e.g., if the code must be entered while the game is paused, the code might be altered to avoid resuming), to keep powerful upgrades better concealed while still referencing Konami, or through a programming error. Despite the differences, though, these codes are still often referred to in general discussion as "Konami Code", "Conami Kode", or, less commonly, "Pseudo-Konami Code". A common misconception is that the code ends with Start or Select Start. In many titles, the player must press Start after entering the code in order to start a game, or press Select to switch to two-player mode and then start the game, leading to the confusion.

List of Konami games using the code

Gradius series

• Gradius (NES) – The first use of the code. Pausing the game and entering the code activates all powerups except for Speed Up, Double, and Laser.
• Gradius (PC Engine) – Pausing the game and entering the code ↑↑↓↓←→←→III activates full options, missile, and shield.
• Life Force (NES) – Enter the code at the title screen for 30 lives. The code does not work in the Famicom version of the game.
• Gradius II (Family Computer) – Entering the code at the title screen starts the player with thirty lives.
• Gradius II (PC Engine) – Pausing the game and enter the code ↑↑↓↓←→←→III to activate full power. This code works more than once on Easy mode.
• Nemesis (Game Boy) – Pausing the game and entering the code will give the player full options.
• Gradius III (Super NES) – Normally entering the code while paused activates all powerups, but the player's ship is instantly destroyed upon unpausing. The player must enter the code by substituting the L and R shoulder buttons for the ← and → on the d-pad with to apply the power-ups without penalty.
• Gradius III (PS2) – Pausing the game and entering ↑↑↓↓←→←→×○ will activate all power-ups and the Laser weapon. Alternately, pressing □ and △ in place of × and ○ will activate the Double weapon with the other power-ups.
• Parodius! From Myth to Laughter (GB) – Pausing the game and entering the code activates all powerups except for Speed Up and Double. Entering the code when the Konami Logo appears enables the Sound Test mode.
• Parodius! From Myth to Laughter (Super NES) – Pausing the game and entering the code destroys the player upon resuming. However, entering BBXXAYAY↑← and resuming will fully power up the player. The second code uses the same finger-movements when the Super NES controller is held upside-down.
• Gradius Deluxe Pack (Saturn) – Pausing the game and entering the code will give full weapons only on Saturn Easy and Saturn Hard difficulty levels.
• Gradius Gaiden (PS1) – Pausing the game and entering the code ↑↑↓↓←→←→×○ will result in a power up.
• Gradius Galaxies (GBA) – Normally entering the code while paused activates all powerups, but the player is instantly destroyed upon unpausing. However, if the player enters the code and substitutes the L and R buttons for ← and →, the powerups are applied without penalty. Entering ↓↓↑↑→←→←AB will result in full powerups, but subtracts one life per use. ↓↓↑↑RLRLAB gives full powerups followed shortly by self-destruction.
• Gradius IV Fukkatsu (PS2, PSP) – Pausing the game and entering the code activates all powerups except for Speed Up and Double.
• Gradius V (PS2) – Pressing ↑↑↓↓←→←→L1R1 while paused gives full powerups, including the Laser weapon. Using L2 and R2 for the final two buttons gives the Double Shot instead.
• Gradius ReBirth (Wii) – Pausing the game and entering this code will give the player's ship four options.

Contra series

• Contra (NES) – Entering the code at the title screen gives the player 30 lives. If the two-player option is picked using the Select button before or after entering the code, both players will have 30 lives. In the Japanese version, the 30 lives code can be used alongside a stage select code exclusive to that version. The codes were removed from the special Contra 4 version.
• Super C (NES) – Entering the code(→←↓↑ABStart) before the title screen appears, gives the player 10 lives in the US version of the game while in the Japanese version the code gives 30 lives. If the two-player option is picked using the Select button before or after entering the code, both players will have 10 lives. This is different from the original game which offered 30 lives to a player. The codes were removed from the special Contra 4 version. To access sound mode in Japanese/US version enter the code Hold(AB) and press Start. For stage select in Japanese version at the title screen, press and hold ↓ on the directional pad, while holding it press Start and immediately hold Select. If done correctly the player should see the stage select screen.
• Operation C (GB) – Entering the code at the title screen (followed B and A again) will enable the Stage Select mode. Choose the desired stage by pressing Select and press Start to begin. This code can give the player 10 lives in the Japanese version (Stage Select is default)
• Contra: Shattered Soldier (PS2) – At the title screen, pressing ↑↑↓↓L1R1L2R2L3R3 on the second controller gives the player 30 lives upon starting the game.
• Neo Contra (PS2) – Same as Contra: Shattered Soldier
• Contra 4 (DS) – When the game first starts on Stage 1, inputting the Konami Code via the Touch Screen (top of screen twice, bottom of screen twice, left side, right side, left side, right side, B, A, center of screen) before the player lands on the ground will award 30 lives. Entering the code with the normal buttons during play in the Pause menu will power-up whatever weapons the player is currently carrying. The code can only be entered once per stage, as inputting it a second time will kill off the player, taking away a life. This code has no effect on the Easy setting, where all the weapons picked by the player are upgraded by default. The codes were removed from the unlockable emulated bonus versions of NES Contra and NES Super C due to illegal reasons.[12]
• Hard Corps Uprising (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3) Before starting the first stage, enter the code when the loading screen is shown (a sound will confirm it) and the usual background music will be replaced with the Jungle theme from the original Contra. Entering the code at the title screen with L3 and R3 as the button presses will unlock a 30 lives powerup for purchase in Rising Mode.
• Super Contra (Xbox Live Arcade) Enter the code to receive unlimited lives (the life counter will remain at 4) and the most powerful gun in the game (collecting gun powerups will also not affect the weapon used). The player can not get any achievement while playing with the code.

The Probotector versions of the games also allow use of the code.

Castlevania series

• Kid Dracula (Family Computer) – Entering the code at the title screen will display a black screen with the text "There's nothing here!" in Japanese. In the unofficial translation hack of the game, this was reworded as "Sorry, that won't work!".
• Castlevania: Bloodlines (Mega Drive/Genesis) – Entering the code at the title screen (a sound will confirm it) enables the selection of the Expert difficulty in the option screen. The code also gives the player the possibility of starting the game with 9 lives if it is entered at the title screen after the music settings in the option screen have been set to BGM 05 and SE 073.
• Castlevania Chronicles (PS) – Entering ↑↑↓↓←→←→X○ on the title screen will take the player to a hidden options menu that allows them to adjust the "system time" and turn on-off the transparency of the status bar in Original mode. The system time affects small things in the game, like the hands on the clock tower.
• Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (GBA) – Entering the code when the Konami logo appears and choose Boss Rush to play as the original Simon Belmont, with the music and animations from the original Castlevania for NES. While significantly harder due to the limited movement of Simon Belmont, the player can do more damage with this character and collect far more hearts to fuel subweapon use against the bosses than the other two characters. Simon is also limited to special weapons from the first game: Holy Water, Knife, Axe, and Cross. (Additionally, the Holy Water weapon gives the "static flame" from the original Castlevania, not the moving flame from when Juste uses it.)
• Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3) – Entering it at the load screen of a level (with analog sticks) and the player gets a cheat menu at the extras point.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fall of the Foot Clan (GB) – Pausing the game and entering the code will replenish the player's energy. This code will only work once per game.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game (NES) – Entering one of three different variations of the code at the title screen will give the player access to either nine lives at the start of a game, a stage select/option ability, or both.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project (NES) – Entering the code at the title screen with the A and B buttons reversed gives access to a stage select/option mode and is the only way to change the options in the game; otherwise, the player will start on normal difficulty with three spare lives. In the Japanese Famicom version (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2), the game will display a message from Konami saying "Thank You for Purchasing This Game" in Japanese. In order for the code to work properly, the functions of each button must be reversed (↓↓↑↑→←→←AB).
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time (Super NES) – Entering the code at the title screen on controller 2, followed by pressing start on controller 1, allows the selection of 10 lives in the Options menu.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters (Super NES) – Entering the code at the title screen on controller 2 will unlock Speed Level 3 in the Options menu.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PS2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, Windows) – Entering the code (↑↑↓↓←→←→×○ on the PS2 version) on the title screen will give the characters silly noises while walking.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (GBA) – Entering the code at the title screen unlocks Very Hard Mode.

Dance Dance Revolution series

The Konami Code has been referenced in routines for some songs on Konami's Dance Dance Revolution series, and has also been an unlock mechanism on some versions:

• Dance Dance Revolution 2ndMix (Arcade, PS) – The Single steps on Basic difficulty for the song "Make A Jam!" include the directional portion of the code (i.e. without B or A) five times throughout the song. A faint chime is heard in the music after each such pattern. The song was also a remix of a jingle played behind the "walking" Konami logo animation contained in some older games.
• Dance Dance Revolution 2ndRemix (PS) – Entering the code ↑↑↓↓←→←→ on the Mode Selection Screen will unlock Super Mode.
• Dance Dance Revolution 3rdMix (Arcade) – The Single steps on Basic difficulty for the song "It Only Takes a Minute" begin with the directional portion of the code.
• Dance Dance Revolution 5thMix (PS) – The last 5 pictures in the Gallery are unlocked by highlighting #224 and entering the code, replacing B and A with × and ○, respectively. (This is because the × and ○ buttons are on the same locations on the PlayStation controller as the B and A buttons are on the Super NES controller.)
• Dance Dance Revolution Extreme (Arcade, PS2) – All charts for the song "Twinbee ~Generation X~" contain the directional portion of the Konami Code as part of their charts, and the doubles charts all contain the sequence on the left pad, a reference to the code traditionally being entered by player 1.
• Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix (Xbox) – If a gamepad is plugged into the fourth controller port, and the code is entered during the credits, all of the game's hidden songs are unlocked instantly.
• Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 2 (Xbox) – While in the credits screen, entering the code in sequence then in reverse unlocks all content.
• Dance Dance Revolution SuperNova 2 (PS2) – While in the controller setup menu on the Japanese version of the game, using the Konami Code will unlock the alternate outfit for each of the dancers and makes them available in the shop.
• Dance Dance Revolution X (Arcade, PS2) – The song "30 Lives (Up-Up-Down-Dance Mix)" by The Motion Sick, is directly about the Konami Code itself.

Metal Gear series

• Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (PS2, Xbox, Microsoft Windows, PS3, Xbox 360, Vita)
  • After completing the Plant chapter, when the clear code is presented on-screen, pressing ↑↑↓↓←→←→×○ will cause Snake to remark "What do you think you're doing!?" or "Stop foolin' around kid!", confirming the code. It cannot be used again once the clear data has been saved.
  • In the Substance version, as well as in the later HD Edition ports, entering "UUDDLRLRBA" as the player's username in "Missions" mode will unlock every stage and character.
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Vita) – This game features several usages of the code
  • Pressing ↑↑↓↓←→←→□△ when the Konami logo first appears will cause it to flash, confirming the code. This will change the staff in the game's opening title sequence to display the "Opening Title Staff" – the staff who produced the title sequence.
  • When fighting The End, entering ↑↑↓↓←→←→□△ in the map viewer will show his location. The code needs to be entered each time the player looks at the map viewer. This only works on Normal difficulty setting or below.
  • Although not an actual cheat, using CQC to interrogate EVA near the end of the game will sometimes make her recite part of the Konami Code.
  • After completing Operation Snake Eater, when the "Game Clear" screen is shown following the ending credits, pressing ↑↑↓↓←→←→×○ will make Snake remark "One more to go...".
• Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3) – When fighting Crying Wolf, entering ↑↑↓↓←→←→×○ in the map viewer will show her location. The code needs to be entered each time the player looks at the map viewer. This only works on Solid Normal or below.
• Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Shield) - Entering the code at the title screen unlocks the Very Hard and Revengeance difficulty settings, as well as unlocking every mission in the game. Raiden will announce the game's title if entered correctly.

Other Konami games (in alphabetical order)

• Batman Returns (Super NES) – In options, use controller 2 and press ↑↑↓↓←→←→BA. Use controller 1 to adjust the number of lives. When finished, the player can reinput the code but instead of the second down press up twice.
• Beatmania GB (GBC) – Entering the password UUDDLRLRBA unlocks all songs and play modes.
• Beatmania IIDX 22: Pendual (Arcade) – During the first event, Chrono Seeker, players used the Konami Code to unlock the final boss of the event. On the Music Select screen, pressing EffectEffectVEFXVEFX1P Start2P Start1P Start2P Start, followed by a black key and then a white key, would cause a chime to sound. If the player then selected a song related to Gradius, such as GRADIUS 2012 or Gradius -Full Speed-, at the end of their credit they would unlock one of the difficulties for the final boss.
• Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand (GBA) – In a certain room the player will find a sign with the Konami Code. Entering the code will reveal a hidden chest.
• Crisis Force (Family Computer) – When the code is entered at the title screen, the player will start with 15 lives.
• Death, Jr. (PSP) – On the pause menu, holding L and pressing ↑↑↓↓←→←→×○ provides the player with all weapons and weapon upgrades.
• Death, Jr. 2: Root of Evil (PSP) – On the pause menu, holding L and pressing ↑↑↓↓←→←→×○ provides the player with all weapons and weapon upgrades.
• Detana!! TwinBee (PC Engine) – At the title screen press ↑↑↓↓←→←→III to select up to 9 credits in the options menu. Pressing ↑↑↓↓→←→←III on the second controller (a multi-tap is required) will allow the selection of up to ten ships in the options menu. Reversing the code, on the title screen press III→←→←↓↓↑↑ on controller three to unlock 'Vmode' (Arcade Mode) in the options menu.
• Detana TwinBee Yahho! Deluxe Pack (PS, Saturn) – In the PS version, pause the game in Arcade Mode and press ↑↑↓↓←→←→×○ to unlock Dark Play. In the Saturn version, substitute X and Circle with the B and A buttons.
• DrumMania (Arcade) – On the first "mix" of this game, the drum pads and bass pedals are used to activate the Expert Real difficulty level. The code to do so is the Konami code, using the hi-hat, snare, hi-tom, and lo-tom for ↑, ↓, ←, and → respectively, and the bass pedal for both B and A.
• Fisherman's Bait: A Bass Challenge (Arcade, PS) – At the title screen, press ↑↑↓↓L1R1L1R1×○Start to display a "Total Count List" that shows the number of games played, line breaks, fish count, and types of fish caught.
• Flame of Recca: Final Burning (PS2) – At the title screen, hold L1 and R1 buttons and enter the Konami Code (↑↑↓↓←→←→×○) to unlock Joker.
• Frogger (Xbox 360) – When selecting to play 1 or 2 players, input the directions of the code on the D-pad of the controller, then B and A, this will make Frogger bigger. This code does not work when playing with the original graphics.
• Frogger's Adventures: The Rescue - Pausing the game and entering ↑↑↓↓←→←→LR will set the life counter to 99.
• Ganbare Goemon Kirakira Douchuu: Boku ga Dancer ni Natta Wake (Super Famicom) – At the end of Sasuke's world, he races a giant robot in the Goemon Impact. During this event, the player has to press the D-Pad in the directions marked on the metal walls that block their progress to raise them. The first pattern is ↑↑↓↓←→←→ which is the Konami Code without the ending "B,A" sequence.
• Deadly Arts (Nintendo 64) – Entering the code on the title screen unlocks Gouriki as a playable character. Entering the code backwards unlocks Reiji.
• Goemon: Shin Sedai Shūmei! (PS) – Pausing the game and then entering the code ↑↑↓↓←→←→×○, will raise the player's weapon to its maximum strength level.
• Gyruss (NES) – The code must be entered in reverse order. Entering AB→←→←↓↓↑↑ at the title screen will give the player 30 lives.
• Hayate the Combat Butler: Boku ga Romeo de Romeo ga Boku de (DS) – Inputting the directions of the code after completing the game will unlock voices in Omake Mode.
• Hellboy: The Science of Evil (PSP) – Pausing the game and entering the code ↑↑↓↓←→←→×○ will give the player two grenades of each grenade type.
• International Superstar Soccer Deluxe (Super NES, PS) – When used with controller 2, it turns the referee into a dog, with a dog bark being heard if the code is entered correctly. In the PS version, A and B corresponds with ○ and ×.
• International Superstar Soccer 64 (N64) – For big head mode, press C↑↑C↑↑C↓↓C↓↓C←←C→→C←←C→→BA, hold Z and press Start. The announcer will shout "Goal!" if the code is entered correctly. Of note, the arrow directions must be entered on the directional pad, not the analog stick.
• International Superstar Soccer 98 (N64) – There are two Konami-type codes in this game:
  • To unlock all six hidden All-Star teams, press C↑↑C↑↑C↓↓C↓↓C←←C→→C←←C→→BA, hold Z and press Start. Tony Gubba will say "World Class" if the code is entered correctly. Like in the previous game, the directional entries must be entered on the directional pad, not the analog stick.
  • To activate the big head mode, a reverse Konami code has to be put in with the C-Buttons, as such: C↓C↓C↑C↑C→C←C→C←BA, hold Z and press Start. Canned laughter will be heard if the code is entered correctly.
• International Track and Field 2000 (PS) – On the Select Event screen the player can choose the event they want. Input the code by pressing ↑↑↓↓←→←→○×. A zap will confirm the code if entered correctly. The player's athlete will be dressed as Konami Man (male) and Konami Lady (female), two superhero-type characters from early Konami Famicom games.
• jubeat plus (iOS) – On the title screen, swiping ↑↑↓↓←→←→ and then touching the B and A in "jubeat" causes a chime to sound. If the player is using the jubeat knit theme, the "Concierge" character will show up and float around the screen. This also works with the international version, "jukebeat".
• jubeat prop (Arcade) – On the Mode Select screen, the player can press 3315155858912 to enable Expert Options on their credit. The placement of the buttons pressed is representative of the Konami Code on a D-pad, with 9 and 12 representing B and A in the code.
• Konami Collector's Series: Arcade Advanced (GBA) – When the code is entered on any main menu of a game, a version of the game with enhanced graphics and/or additional features or extra lives are made available.
• Life Force (NES) -- When the code is entered on the title screen, it gives the player 30 lives.
• The Legend of the Mystical Ninja (Super NES) – A villager will reference the code by telling the player "If you press up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, it will do nothing."
• MLB Power Pros (PS2), (Wii) – Entering the code on the "View or Delete Custom Players" display unlocks the ability to view MLB players in the Custom Players Menu.
• Nagano Winter Olympics '98 (PS, N64) – In the freestyle aerials event, one of the jumps (bDfDf) requires inputting the Konami code quickly to complete successfully. Additionally, after the player receives a medal in each event, using the code on the Achievements screen will start the credits sequence.
• NBA Give 'N Go (Super Famicom/SNES) – Press ↑↑↓↓←→←→BA on title screen to unlock "Super Difficulty Level" in the Options menu.
• Pop'n TwinBee (Super NES) – Entering the code will unlock an extra difficulty level. Entering the code in-game while paused crashes the player's ship.
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 3D (Nintendo 3DS) - In PES Shop entering the code will unlock some of touchscreen controls.
• Raging Fighter (GB) – Entering the code at the title screen will enable mirror matches in the Normal 1-Player Mode. Switching the order of the A and B buttons will do the same thing for in the Normal Versus Mode. To enable the code in 1-Player Mania, the B button must be pressed twice instead of B and A. To enable the code in Versus Mania, the same thing must be done but with the A button.
• Rave Master (GC) - Entering the code at the title screen will unlock a new character, Reina.
• REFLEC BEAT plus (iOS) – On the title screen, swiping ↑↑↓↓←→←→ and then touching the B and A in "REFLEC BEAT" causes a chime to sound. After entering the code, the note explosions will be much larger. Closing the app and re-opening it will reset the note explosion size. This also works with the international version, "REFLEC BEAT +".
• Rocket Knight (Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, Steam) – Entering the code at the main menu will temporarily unlock the two bonus character skins. Quitting and restarting the game will reset the locks on the skins.
• Saw II: Flesh & Blood (PS3, Windows, 360) The code can be entered at the main menu while holding R
• Silent Hill 3 (PS2, Windows) – Beating the game once, and entering the code in the title screen will cause Douglas Cartland, a supporting character, to appear in his underwear in each cutscene.
• Silent Hill Homecoming (PS3, 360) – Entering the code during the main menu will unlock the costume young Alex. This version of him appears in the game during flashback cutscenes.
• Silent Hill: Origins (PSP, PS2) – On the second playthrough and up, entering the code during gameplay will unlock the "Codebreaker" costume, which makes Travis look identical to Vincent from Silent Hill 3.
• Sunday vs Magazine: Shūketsu! Chōjō Daikessen
• Tiny Toon Adventures: Wacky Sports Challenge – If the code is entered at the title screen, a level select feature becomes available.
• Tokimeki Memorial – Entering the code allows the player to unlock special features in the game and also extra power ups in the Twin Bee mini game. Similar cheats are applied to other games in the series.[13]
• Top Gun: The Second Mission (NES) – To receive three additional planes for every 20,000 points. Go to the title screen and enter the code to begin.
• Pop'n TwinBee: Rainbow Bell Adventures (Super NES) – Pausing the game and entering the code will allow a player to switch characters. Replacing Left and Right with L and R respectively will give the player full health and all power-ups.
• Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters GX: Tag Force (PSP) – Entering the Konami Code at the card shop will unlock a booster pack with cards based on other Konami games, such as Gradius and Ganbare Goemon.
• Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters GX: Tag Force 2 (PSP) – Entering the Konami Code at the card shop will unlock a booster pack with cards based on other Konami games, such as Gradius and Ganbare Goemon.
• Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters GX: Tag Force 3 (PSP) – Entering the Konami Code at the card shop will unlock a booster pack with cards based on other Konami games, such as Gradius and Ganbare Goemon.
• Yu-Gi-Oh! Falsebound Kingdom: The Confined Imaginary Kingdom (GC) – Entering the code while in the overworld gives the player extra money.
• Yu-Gi-Oh! 7 Trials to Glory: World Championship Tournament 2005 (GBA) – Entering the code at the card shop will warp the player to the credits of the game.
• Zone of the Enders (PS2, PS3, Xbox 360) – Entering the Konami Code backwards ○×→←→←↓↓↑↑ on the title screen unlocks the multiplayer Versus mode with all frames and stages available.
• Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner (PS2, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Windows) – While fighting the Vic Viper boss in Extra Missions Mode, entering the code with L1 and R1 instead of A and B activates the "Zoradius" mini-game. Entering the same code again in "Zoradius" while paused gives the player full powerups.

Other games using the Konami code

• BioShock Infinite (Irrational Games, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch) A variation of the Konami Code at the game's menus unlocks the game's more difficult "1999 Mode" from the start.[14]
• Dead by Daylight (Windows, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch) - When the code is entered while having one of the Silent Hill characters equipped on the main menu, the game plays a jingle from Gradius and grants the player a charm that can be equipped by characters.[15]
• Flip (iPhone, iPod Touch). The code unlocks a hidden level selection screen containing 98 puzzles.[16]
• Fortnite Battle Royale (Windows, MacOS, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Mobile) The Konami code was used to access the Fortnite Durr Burger minigame at the black hole screen after the end of the Chapter 1 Season X event.[17] It was only available for a period of 38 hours starting from 7:00pm UTC on October 13, 2019 and was no longer accessible on the start of Fortnite: Chapter 2.
• LittleBigPlanet 2 (Media Molecule, PlayStation 3). When entered in the unused arcade machine at the level "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Negativatron" (PlayStation 3 variation of the code), the machine explodes and unveils a square with the numbers "3733 5683", which on a mobile keypad, spell the phrase "free love".[18]
• The Incredibles (THQ and Heavy Iron Studios, Windows, Mac, Xbox, PS2) – Inputting the code into the cheats keyboard "UUDDLRLRBAS" gives the player 25% health, and can be used an unlimited number of times.[19]
• Ninja Raiden (Online: Modern web browsers; Downloadable: Windows) – Enter the Konami code at the title screen l. The classic Gradius sound will confirm the code when the game starts. The game will run at 100% speed (normal game runs at 90%), Raiden will wear the Desperado skin, and as the game is faster (i.e., harder), the stage ranks will be raised one level. This code is necessary to achieve the S+ rank. Upon game completion (online only), the "Konami fan" achievement will appear in the leaderboards, next to the score.[20]
• Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (PS2) – Entering the code during vid-comic play, will dress Qwark up in a pink tutu. In the PS3 version, whether by accident or design, two debug codes were left in the game by the developers.[21]
• Sportsfriends (PS3, PS4) The code allows to play FLOP, a wiggly variant of Pong. A similar code accesses the hidden game Get on Top.[22]
• Touhou Soujinengi The Genius of Sappheiros (Strawberry Bose, Windows, PSVita) – Unlocking Fujiwara no Mokou early: After visiting Hieda no Akyuu for the first time, talk another time with her. The Bamboo Forest maze will appear to the west; head there, and travel through the forest in accordance with the Konami Code to find Mokou.[23]
• Unchained Nostalgia (NES) – The super secret mode of proud birdie with special effects from Michael Bay.[24]
• Yu-Gi-Oh! The Falsebound Kingdom (Game Cube) The Konami code can be used during any map to gain gold. This will also trigger hidden dialog of a man shouting Yu-Gi-Oh.[25]
• The Bard's Tale (inXile Entertainment, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows, iOS, OS X, Linux, PlayBook, Android, Ouya, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch) Inputting the Konami code grants extra silver and Adderstones for spell casting.
• Rocket League (Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Epic Games) Activating the code will give you an older title screen with a different song, all based on Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle Cars.
• FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE GAME (Windows, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch) - [26]
• Just Dance 3 (Wii, Xbox 360) [27] Inputting a part of the code on the title screen unlocks the extreme version of Barbara Streisand.

Uses outside of video games

• A variation of the Konami code is used to reset the Netflix program on some devices.[28][29]
• Entering the code on the Overwatch website will make several icons of the in-game spray of the playable character D.Va appear along with her voice actor saying "up up down down left right left right b a start". In the lore of Overwatch, she is a gamer.[30]
• Entering the code on the 2016 Marks and Spencer Christmas food ordering site results in some festive creatures popping up.[31]
• Entering the code on the Megaport website enables a Snake-like game which the user can play.[32]
• Entering the Konami Code on the Bank of Canada's website for the commemorative $10 dollar bill plays a chiptune version of the Canadian national anthem and drops commemorative $10 notes.[33]
• Entering the code on a Google Hangouts conversation and pressing enter will change the background of the conversation typed in.[34]
• Reciting the code to Google Assistant will cause it to say either "Cheat mode enabled.", "You destroyed the Vile Red Falcon and saved the universe. Consider yourself a hero" with a trophy emoji or a similar response.[35]
• Reciting the code to Apple's virtual assistant Siri will cause her to give one of three responses: "Cheater!", "Nerd." or "I'm getting dizzy...".[36]
• Reciting the code to Amazon's Alexa will cause her to say: "Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding! Great job, you've secured all the power-ups!" or "Super Alexa mode, activated. Starting reactors, online. Enabling advanced systems, online. Raising dongers. Error. Dongers missing. Aborting."[37]
• Entering the code on terraria's home page will cause slimes to start coming in from the side of the screen.
• Entering the code on the WWF-UK website will cause the panda logo to spin.[38]
• Entering the code in written form ("upupdowndownleftrightleftrightbastart") on Palm webOS devices unlocked developer mode.[39]
• Entering the code on the Twitch Creator's Dashboard brings up several advanced options for the program.[40]
• Entering the code on the Bill the Chicken website unlocks a secret meme page.[41]
• At one point, the Facebook website contained an Easter Egg where after entering the Konami code, a lens flair would be generated whenever the user would scroll or click anywhere on the page.[42]
• The Nintendo Switch Homebrew Tinfoil requires the user to enter the Konami Code in order to install third-party NSP (Nintendo Switch Package) files onto their device.
• The Chromebook Pixel has an Easter egg where inputting the Konami Code would cause the lights on an LED strip on the lid of the computer to blink rapidly.[43]

Popular culture references

Music

• The code was also referenced by American post-hardcore band Falling in Reverse in their song "Game Over". In the song, lead vocalist Ronnie Radke utters the line "Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Select Start".[44]
• Electronic artist Technicolor released the 2016 track "Contra Code" which features the code as lyrics to the track.[45]
• The Moldy Peaches' 2001 song "Anyone Else but You" contains the lyrics "Up up down down left right left right B A start / Just because we use cheats doesn't mean we're not smart."[46]
• British indie rock band Bears in Trees' 2020 song "Permanence" features the lyric "I wish this came with instructions / I could press up, up, down, down, left, right, left"[47]
• Industrial/EBM artist The Gothsicles released "Konami Code IV" as an homage on the 20th anniversary of the Konami Code.
• American band Deftones has the song "U,U,D,D,L,R,L,R,A,B,Select,Start" in their 2006 album Saturday Night Wrist.
• Chiptune artist BITVORTEX has a song called UUDDLRLR on the album RIOT.EXE, which is a reference to this code.

Television and film

• The 2012 Disney animated video game film Wreck-It Ralph features a scene in which King Candy inputs the Konami code on a large NES controller to open a secret passage leading to Sugar Rush's programming.[3]
• In the first episode of the anime, Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions, character Rikka Takanashi references the Konami Code as she is choosing a drink from a vending machine and hilariously winning a second free drink.[48]
• After breaking the communication system, Peter tells the family to enter "Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start" to gain unlimited lives, from Season 11 Episode 10 of the animated show Family Guy entitled Space Cadet.[49]
• Krieger's launch code, which resembled a hex code, from Season 5 Episode 12 of the animated show Archer, was decoded by a Redditor to be the Konami Code. The animator later confirmed this to be correct.[50]
• In Konosuba-God's Blessing on This Wonderful World-Legend of Crimson, Kazuma uses Konami Code to open a vault with a secret "mage-killer" weapon in it. He then repeats the code to close the vault.[51]

Other

• A Fisher-Price toy for pre-schoolers, modeled after a game controller which shows various lights and sounds when the buttons are pressed, presents a special sequence of lights and sounds if the Konami code is entered.[52]
• WWE wrestler Xavier Woods uses the beginning of the code as the name of his gaming focused YouTube channel: UpUpDownDown (UUDD). It is also used as a name of one of their (as a member of The New Day) signature moves in wrestling.[53]
• In the musical Be More Chill is a reference used quite a lot. They use "Up Up Down Down Left Right A". Be More Chill is about a teenager who takes a super computer like a cheat code for real life called a SQUIP. There are quite a lot of versions of the musical on YouTube. There is also a book.

References

1. The editors of GamePro and GamerHelp.comra Code:' We Must Never Forget," GamePro 235 (April 2008): 63.
2. "Cracking the Code: The Konami Code". 1up.com. Archived from the original on 2011-05-22. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
3. Robinson, Tasha (November 1, 2012). "Wreck-It Ralph". The A.V. Club. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
4. Inc, mediagene (2012-04-09). "裏技、隠しメッセージ...イースターエッグってどんなものがある？". www.gizmodo.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-04-08.
5. Carvin, Andy (June 14, 2010). "Geek Trick Of The Week: Newsweek Vs. The Zombies". NPR. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
6. "The Konami Code Makes ESPN.com Magical!". Kotaku.
7. "Konami Code triggers Easter egg on Facebook too". CNET. 2009-05-08.
8. Moore, Matthew (September 17, 2009). "Google easter eggs: 15 best hidden jokes". The Daily Telegraph. London.
9. "Alan Turing Google Doodle Source Code". Google. 2012-07-02.
10. "Geek Trivia: The cheat goes on". techrepublic.com. Retrieved 2008-04-16.
11. "Use Konami Code to Enable Power User Settings in Opera - Techdows". Retrieved 30 December 2016.
12. "Konami Code For Each Game in The Contra Series". contracentral.com. Contra Central. 2019-07-15. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
13. "Tokimeki Memorial: Forever With You Cheats". ign.com. IGN. 2017-03-15. Retrieved 2017-07-05.
14. Juba, Joe (2013-03-24). "How To Unlock 1999 Mode In BioShock Infinite". Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-03-24.
15. "Dead by Daylight - Konami Code Easter Egg". 2020-06-16. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
16. "Web::eBattalion". 2016-01-12. Archived from the original on 2016-01-12. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
17. MacLoed, Riley (October 13, 2019). "There's A Konami Code In Fortnite's Black Hole". Kotaku. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
18. "Konami code". ign.com. 2017-03-07. Retrieved 2018-08-11.
19. "The Incredibles Cheat Codes (GameCube) @ Gaming Target". Gamingtarget.com. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
20. "Ninja Raiden". eagleowlgames.net. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
21. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-13. Retrieved 2016-03-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
22. McElroy, Griffin (2014-05-07). "How to find Sportsfriends' two secret games". Polygon. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
23. "The Genius of Sappheiros/Miscellaneous - Touhou Wiki - Characters, games, locations, and more". En.touhouwiki.net. 2017-11-27. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
24. "Unchained Nostalgia v1.3.1 [2016/10/14] (a NES/Famicom/Dendy demo) - VEG's Blog". veg.by. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
25. "Falsebound Kingdom Cheats". YuGiOh! World. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
26. "FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE GAME - Konami Code Easter Egg". 2020-06-16. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxTz9Puw74E
28. Rhee, Ed. "How to access hidden Netflix streaming settings". CNET. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
29. Ameripug, Captain (2012-08-26). "The Xbox 360 Netflix App Uses A Form Of The Konami Code To Change Settings - News". www.GameInformer.com. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
30. "Overwatch". Overwatch. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
31. "M&S Christmas Food". 2016-12-14. Archived from the original on 2016-12-14. Retrieved 2018-03-22.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
32. "Megaport". www.megaport.com. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
33. "Explore the New $10 Note". www.bankofcanada.ca. Archived from the original on 2019-07-10. Retrieved 2019-05-19.
34. "10 Google Hangouts Easter Eggs". Mental Floss. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
35. "Google's Konami Code Easter Egg Unlocks 'Cheat Mode'". Retrieved 10 January 2018.
36. "Siri Knows You're A Dirty Cheater At Video Games [Easter Egg] | Cult of Mac". Cult of Mac. 2013-05-31. Retrieved 2018-10-08.
37. Robert Earl Wells III. "What is Super Alexa Mode? The Secrets of the Elusive Alexa Easter Egg". Lifewire. Retrieved 2020-07-17.
38. "Homepage". WWF. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
39. https://www.engadget.com/2009/06/10/the-secret-to-palm-pre-dev-mode-lies-in- the-konami-code/
40. Bourdeau, Ian (December 7, 2019). "Twitch has hidden features you can access with the Konami code". PCGamesN. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
41. "Welcome to the secret memes page".
42. "Konami Code triggers Easter egg on Facebook too". CNET. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
43. Oliverez-Giles, Nathan (February 22, 2013). "Google's Pixel Chromebook Has a Konami Code Easter Egg". Wired.
44. "Falling in Reverse – Game Over Lyrics | Genius Lyrics". Genius.com. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
45. "Technicolor | Contra Code | CD Baby Music Store". Store.cdbaby.com. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
46. "The Moldy Peaches – Anyone Else But You Lyrics | Genius Lyrics". Genius.com. Retrieved 2018-04-05.
47. "Bears in Trees — Permanence Lyrics | Genius Lyrics". Genius.com. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
48. "Episode 1 – Chance Encounter... with Wicked Lord Shingan". Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions. Season 1. Crunchyroll. February 12, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
49. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2581262/
50. "23 Places Where the Konami Code Lives On". www.mentalfloss.com. 2014-05-01. Retrieved 2020-07-17.
51. "Konosuba-God's Blessing on This Wonderful World-Legend of Crimson". KonoSuba. Crunchyroll. March 24, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
52. Oxford, Nadia (December 17, 2018). "The Famed Konami Code from Contra Works on a New Fisher Price Toy". USGamer. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
53. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIr1YTkEHdJFtqHvR7Rwttg

External links

• Video about the Konami Code from the G4 TV show Cheat!