Konami Code
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The Konami Code (also known as the Konami Command and the Contra Code) is a cheat code that can be used in many Konami video games, usually enabling some sort of secret option. The code was first used in the 1986 release of Gradius for the Nintendo Entertainment System. During the game, the player presses the following sequence of buttons on the game controller:
Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A
This is the original version of the code, designed for the NES controller. In common usage, many players will include Start at the end of the code, but this merely serves the function of beginning or unpausing the game and is not part of the actual code. The exact sequence varies from game to game, and has been adapted to fit the button layouts of different video game consoles. Still, the original Konami Code endures as one of the most widely-known cheat codes in the gaming community.
History
The Konami Code first appeared in the home port of the 1985 arcade game Gradius, a scrolling shooter released on the Famicom and Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986. Entering the code on the pause screen gives the player a full set of powerups, which are normally attained gradually throughout the game. The code has continued to be present in Gradius sequels and spin-offs, including Gradius III, which actually destroys the player's ship upon entering the original code.
Arguably the best-known example of the Konami Code is in the 1988 Famicom/NES version of Contra, where using the code increases the player's lives from 3 to 30. Due to the game's intense difficulty, many Contra players became reliant on the code to finish the game, earning it the title, "The Contra Code".
The popularity of Gradius and Contra has closely associated the Konami Code with the gaming era of the 1980s, and some "old-school" gamers even consider it a badge of pride to be able to recite the code from memory. The code, however, has appeared in several newer PlayStation 2 games, including Silent Hill 3 and Metal Gear Solid 2. It even shows up in Konami's Bemani line of music games, such as Dance Dance Revolution and DrumMania. The code has further been featured on various t-shirts and other merchandise[1] (http://www.gameskins.com/item--The-Code-Tee--gssh017)[2] (http://www.cafepress.com/contracodetee).
There is an article written on the Konami Code that you can read: [3] (http://nesalt.neschannel.com/articles/konamicode/index.html)
Specific uses in games
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (GBA)
Entering the code on the title screen animation recolors the title screen. The player may then play Boss Rush with the original Belmont character, music, and animation from the first Castlevania. While significantly harder due to the limited movement, the player can do more damage.
Contra (Famicom/NES)
One of the first, and the most famous uses of the code. Entering it at the start screen gives the player 30 lives, making the game much easier to finish.
Contra: Shattered Soldier (PlayStation 2)
This newer installment of Contra features a unique way of inputting the code. At the title screen, pressing Up, Up, Down, Down, L1, R1, L2, R2, L3, R3 on the second controller gives the player 30 lives upon starting the game.
Dance Dance Revolution 2ndMIX (Arcade, PlayStation)
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.
Dance Dance Revolution EXTREME (Japanese version; Arcade, PlayStation 2)
In the song "Twinbee ~Generation X~", the Single steps on Standard difficulty include the directions of the Konami code.
The song is based on a Konami game with the same title, Twinbee.
Dance Dance Revolution ULTRAMIX (Xbox)
If a controller (a handheld, not a dance pad) is plugged in to the 4P (furthest to the right) controller port, and the code is entered during the credits, all of the game's hidden songs will be instantly unlocked.
Detana!! Twinbee (PC Engine)
At the title screen press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, II, and I to select up to 9 credits in the options menu. Pressing Up, Up, Down, Down, Right, Left, Right, Left, I, II on controller two will allow the selection of up to ten ships in the options menu. Reversing the code, on the title screen press I, II, Right, Left, Right, Left, Down, Down, Up, and Up on controller three to unlock 'Vmode' (Arcade Mode) in the options menu.
Detana Twinbee Yahoo! Deluxe Pack (PlayStation)
Pause the game in Arcade Mode and press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, X, Circle to unlock Dark Play.
DrumMania (Arcade)
On the first "mix" of this game, the drum pads and bass pedals are used to activate the Expert Real difficulty level.
Gradius (Famicom/NES)
Pausing the game and then entering the code activates all powerups except for Speed Up and Double.
Gradius (PC Engine)
Pausing the game and then entering the code Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, II, and I activates full options, missile, and shield.
Gradius II (Famicom/NES)
Entering the code at the title screen starts the player with thirty lives.
Gradius II (PC Engine)
Pausing the game and then entering the code Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, II, and I activates full power. This code works more than once on Easy mode.
Gradius III (Super Famicom/SNES)
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 Left and Right, the powerups are applied without penalty.
Gradius III (PlayStation 2)
Pausing the game and then entering the code activates all powerups except for Speed Up and Double.
Gradius IV (PlayStation 2)
Pausing the game and then entering the code activates all powerups except for Speed Up and Double.
Gradius V (PlayStation 2)
This version uses yet another variation of the code: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, L1, R1. Entering the code while paused gives full powerups, including the Laser weapon. Using L2 and R2 for the final two buttons gives the Double Shot instead.
Gradius Deluxe Pack (Sega Saturn)
Pausing the game then entering the code will give full weapons only on Saturn Easy and Saturn Hard difficulty levels.
Gradius Gaiden (PlayStation)
Pausing the game then entering the code Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, X, Circle will result in a power up.
Gradius Galaxies (Game Boy Advance)
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 Left and Right, the powerups are applied without penalty. Entering Down, Down, Up, Up, Right, Left, Right, Left, A, B will result in fill powerups, but subtracts one life per use. Down, Down, Up, Up, R, L, R, L, A, B gives full powerups followed shortly by self destruction.
Konami Collector's Series: Arcade Advanced (Game Boy Advance)
In the classic arcade game collection Konami Collector's Series: Arcade Advanced, when the Konami Code is entered on any main menu of a game, you unlock a version of the game with enchanced graphics and/or additional features or extra lives.
Legend of the Mystical Ninja (Super Famicom/SNES)
One of the townspeople in this game tells you, "If you press up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start, it will do nothing."
Salamander/Life Force (Famicom/NES)
Entering the code at the start screen gives the player 30 lives.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (PlayStation 2)
After finishing the game, when the clear code is presented on-screen, pressing Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Circle and X will cause Snake to shout, confirming the code. It does not affect gameplay, however.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance (PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC)
In the Missions mode, entering "UUDDLRLRBA" as the player username will unlock all characters (Ninja Raiden, Pliskin, etc.).
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PlayStation 2)
Pressing Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Square, and Triangle when the Konami logo first appears will cause it to flash, confirming the code. This will change the names in the game's opening title sequence to display the "Opening Title Staff" - the names of the people who created the title sequence.
Nemesis (Game Boy)
Pausing the game and entering the code will give the player full options.
Pop'n Twinbee (Super Famicom/SNES)
Entering the code will unlock an extra difficulty level.
Silent Hill 3 (PlayStation 2)
Entering the code in the title screen causes a supporting character to appear in his underwear in each cutscene.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Game Boy Advance)
Entering the code at the title screen unlocks Very Hard Mode.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fall of the Foot Clan (Game Boy)
Pausing the game and entering the code will replenish the player's energy.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project (Famicom/NES)
Entering the code at the title screen with the A and B buttons reversed gives access to a stage select mode.
In the Japanese version (titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Manhattan Project), the game will simply give you a message from Konami. In order for the code to work properly, the functions of each button must be reversed (Down, Down, Up, Up, Right, Left, Right, Left, B, A).
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time (Super Famicom/SNES)
Entering the code at the title screen on controller 2 allows number of lives in Options menu.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters (Super Famicom/SNES)
Entering the code at the title screen on controller 2 will unlock Speed Level 3 in Options menu.
Twinbee: Rainbow Bell Adventure (Super Famicom/SNES)
Pausing the game and entering the code will allow a player to switch characters. Replacing Left with L and Right with R will give the player full health and all power-ups.
Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner (PlayStation 2)
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.
Appearances in non-Konami games
- Nintendo's Wario Ware, Inc. Mega Microgame$ and Wario Ware, Inc. Mega Party Game$ both include a microgame in which the player must enter a sequence of directional and button commands as listed on the screen. Quite frequently, the sequence is Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right.
- Tom and Jerry for the classic NES also supports the code. When the code is entered (followed by Select) at the title screen, one can play the game with an infinite nine lives.
- PopCap and Flying Bear's Insaniquarium allows the player to type the code on the main screen to enter the Sandbox Mode, in which many game elements can be placed by hitting keys on the keyboard.
- Gish (http://www.chroniclogic.com/index.htm?gish.htm) uses Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, "A", Space, entered on the "Chronic Logic presents" screen to unlock the game's turbo mode.
- In the Homestar Runner game Trogdor (http://homestarrunner.com/trogdor.html), if you click and hold the "G" in the final TROGDOR title screen it will bring up the hints screen, enter the Konami Code at this time using the keyboard and Trogdor will start the game with 30 lives.
- In Kingdom of Loathing the code must be entered as part of solving the primary quest.
- In Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 for the Game Boy Advance, the code can be entered at the main menu while holding R to unlock Spider-Man.
- In Super Monkey Ball Jr. inputting the code will temporarily change the title screen to "Super Nice Try".
- The 2001 Arcade game Ms. Pac-Man And Galaga: Class Of 1981 includes a modified version of the code to unlock the original Pac-Man game. When the combination Up, Up, Up, Down, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Left is performed, the machine makes a dot-gulping sound, and pressing Start begins a session of Pac-Man.
- In B.C. Kid for the Amiga, select OPTIONS from the title screen. On the option screen use and enter the following sequence: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, then begin a game to gain infinite lives.ja:コナミコマンド