Konami Code

Logo of the Konami Code sold on T-Shirts. Logo of the Konami Code sold on T-Shirts.

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. The original Konami Code endures as one of the most widely-known cheat codes in the gaming community.

History

The Konami Code was created by Kazuhisa Hashimoto, who was developing the home port of the 1985 arcade game Gradius, a scrolling shooter released on the Famicom and Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986. Finding the game too dificult to play through during testing, he created a code which gives the player a full set of powerups, which are normally attained gradually throughout the game. Also, the code entered backwards would award the player 30 lives. For whatever reason, he did not remove the code when testing was finished. 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.

Specific uses in games

Konami games

Batman Returns (SNES)

In options, use controller 2 and press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A. Use controller 1 to adjust the number of lives.

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.

Castlevania Chronicles (PlayStation)

Entering Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, X, Circle 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 on the title screen animation recolors the title screen. The player may then play Boss Rush with the original Simon Belmont, 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 uses of the code, and easily the most famous usage.. Entering it at the start screen gives the player 30 lives, making the game much easier to finish. The NES variation of the Konami Code for Contra is Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, B, A, Start. Alternatively you can enter select in before hitting start for 2 player mode.

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.

Cosmic Epsilon (Famicom)

Press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start on the title screen for a hidden message.

Crisis Force (Famicom/NES)

When the code is entered at the title screen, the player will start with 15 lives.

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 2nd Remix (Playstation)

Entering the code Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right on the Mode Selection Screen will Unlock Super Mode.

Dance Dance Revolution EXTREME (Japanese version; Arcade, PlayStation 2)

In the song "Twinbee ~Generation X~", all 4 of the Single (4 panels) steps on Beginner, Light, Standard and Heavy difficulty include the directions of the Konami code. All three (Light, Standard, Heavy) stepcharts for the song on Doubles play (8 panels) contain the code's directional portion. It is worth noting that the first instance of the code in all 3 doubles stepcharts takes place on the left pad. This may have something to do with the code classicaly being entered as player 1.

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.

Deadly Arts (Nintendo 64)

Entering the code on the title screen unlocks Gouriki as a playable character. Entering the code backwards unlocks Reiji.

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.

Fighting Eleven / International Superstar Soccer Deluxe (Super Famicom/SNES)

This code replaces the referee with a dog.

Flame of Recca Final Burning (PlayStation 2)

At the title screen, hold L1 and R1 button and enter the Konami Code (Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, X, Circle) to unlock Joker.

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.

Gyruss (NES)

For the NES game Gyruss, the code must be entered in reverse order. Entering A, B, Right, Left, Right, Left, Down, Down, Up, Up at the title screen will give the player 30 lives.

Kid Klown in Night Mayor World (NES)

On the title screen press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A to unlock Hard Mode.

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, 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, X and Circle will cause Snake to remark "What do you think you're doing?", confirming the code. It does not do anything else. it is a very usfull code.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance (PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC)

In addition to the above code from Sons of Liberty, entering "UUDDLRLRBA" as the player username in Missions mode 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.

In addition, when battling The End, entering Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Square, and Triangle in the map viewer will show his location. The code needs to be entered each time the player looks at the map viewer.

Nagano Winter Olympics '98 (PlayStation, Arcade)

In the freestyle aerials event, one of the jumps (bDfDf) requires inputting the Konami code quickly to complete successfully.

NBA Give ?N Go (NES)

Press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A on title screen to unlock ?Super Difficulty Level? in the Options menu.

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.

Smart Balls (SNES)

When the title screen says, Push Start Button, press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Select, Start to select a stage.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Gamecube, PlayStation 2, Xbox)

Entering the code (Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, X, Circle on the PS2 version) on the title screen will give the characters silly noises while walking.

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. This code will only work once per game .

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 display 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 the selection of 10 lives in the 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.

Top Gun: The Second Mission (NES)

To receive three additional planes for every 20,000 points. Go to the title screen and press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start.

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.

Zombie Nation (NES)

Pause the game and press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A to refill your energy bar.

Non-Konami games

3-D Worldrunner (Squaresoft, NES)

This game supports the code, if in a somewhat tongue in cheek manner. Pausing during play and entering the Konami Code produces the message "I AM NOT KONANI [sic]" with no further effect, beneficial or otherwise.

B.C. Kid (Hudson Soft, 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.

Drymouth (Demiforce, Gameboy Color)

Entering the code at the titlescreen will enable a secret fourth character who can use all of the other characters' items.

Gish (Chronic logic, Macromedia Flash)

Enter Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, "A", Space, entered on the "Chronic Logic presents" screen to unlock the game's turbo mode.

Grandia (Game Arts, Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation)

A door unlock code in this game is Right, Right, Left, Left, Down, Up, Down, Up, a simple rearrangement of the Konami Code (Up & Right are reversed, and Down & Left are reversed).

Half-Life 2 (Valve, Microsoft Xbox)

In the Xbox port of Half Life 2, if you press up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-b-a in gameplay, you will get 25 health points.

Heli Attack 3 (Squarecircleco, PC)

After clicking "players" and "cheats", type "up up down down left right left right b a select start" into the box to unlock all weapons.

Insaniquarium (PopCap and Flying Bear, Macromedia Flash)

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.

Kingdom of Loathing (Asymmetric Publications, PC)

The code is the solution to a puzzle, and must be entered as part of solving the primary quest.

Ms. Pac-Man And Galaga: Class Of 1981 (Midway, Arcade)

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 the original Pac-Man.

Mortal Kombat 3 (Acclaim, SNES)

Entering Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, A, B, A will bring up the 'Kool Stuff' menu

Street Fighter 2 (Capcom, Arcade)

Entering Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Medium Punch, Light Punch during a demo fight will display the game statistics

Quake 4 (id Software, Xbox 360)

While playing, press the back button on the controller to bring up the objectives window. Press up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, b, a to instantly complete all objectives.

Star Ocean: Till the End of Time (Square Enix, PlayStation 2)

Equipping the Rabbit Ears Chalice will allow said character to self destruct when the Konami Code is entered.

Super Monkey Ball Jr. (Sega, Game Boy Advance)

Inputting the code will temporarily change the title screen to "Super Nice Try".

Tom and Jerry (Hi-Tech Expressions, NES)

When the code is entered (followed by Select) at the title screen, one can play the game with an infinite nine lives.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (Activision, Game Boy Advance)

The code can be entered at the main menu while holding R to unlock Spider-Man.

Trogdor (The Brothers Chaps, Macromedia Flash)

If one clicks and holds 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, an obvious nod to Contra.

Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue (Electronic Arts, Game Boy Advance)

Pausing the game with Select and then entering up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, B, A and then Start unpauses the game and gives the main character, TY, a million "opals" (his unit of currency).

WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ (Nintendo, Game Boy Advance) and WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$ (Nintendo, GameCube)

Both versions include an Orbulon 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.

Mentions in popular culture

  • The somewhat humorous gothic band Gothsicles[1] have a song titled Konami Code, with the lyrics: Contra! 30 Guys!/Enter in this code for thirty lives!/Contra! 30 Guys!/Punch in the code for thirty lives!/UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT B A SELECT START/Contra! 30 Guys!/The following code makes the body count rise!
  • The rock band Schoolyard Heroes mentions the Konami Code in their song "Contra," which features the lyrics "Up up down down/Left right left right/Secret Contra code for extra life."
  • The Moldy Peaches mention the Konami code in the song "Anyone Else But You", which features 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 "
  • The ska band The Konami Code was active in the DC-Area music scene from 2000 to 2003. One of their songs was The Konami Code Theme Song which contains only the lyrics "Up Up Down Down/Left Right Left Right/B A B A/Select Start."
  • The professional wrestler Jimmy Jacobs uses a seated Shiranui that he calls the Contra Code.
  • In the episode Gaz, Taster of Pork of Invader Zim, Shadowhog ask to Gaz: "What is the secret code for unlimited lives in Super Kicky Fighter?" and she answers: "Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, A, B, B, A, start."
  • On The Ataris 2001 album End Is Forever, track 5 is called "Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start"
  • The Pettit Project's song "99 lives" from the album CheeROCKracy contains the lyrics, "Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Select Start / now I'll play you all night"
  • YTCracker's album NerdRap Entertainment System([2] download) contains a song by the same name. Lyrics start "Up, up/down, down/left right/left right/then b-a-start/the screen goes white."
  • Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start is now the name of a rock band (www.upupdowndown.org).
  • The webcomic Her! [Girl vs Pig] contains a reference to the Konami code. [3]

External links

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