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The Konami Code (also known as the Konami Command and the Contra Code) is a secret cheat code that can be used in many Konami video games beginning with Gradius in 1985. At some point during the game, the player would press the following buttons on the NES controller:
Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start
and some sort of secret option would be enabled. However, this is just the original version of it; it has changed over the course of time, due to differences in the button layouts of controllers on various consoles. Still, this version is the most well known variation to gamers.
Variations
There have been other variations of this code that have appeared since the original version that was used for Famicom and NES games. In Gradius III for the SNES, one must use the controller's "L" and "R" triggers while the game is paused. Using the directional pad buttons instead of the triggers would cause the player's ship to explode. In a PlayStation 2 versions of the Gradius games, the "square", "triangle", "X", and "circle" buttons are used as substitutes for "B" and "A" in the traditional code. Even the first release of DrumMania uses the Konami Code adapted for the layout of the drum pads and bass pedal in order to open up the Expert Real difficulty level. In Zone of the Enders: the 2nd Runner, A variation of the code (using L1 and R1 for A and B) could be entered during a fight against Vic Viper to open a special 3D Gradius-like minigame. The code could be entered in the game as well for full powerups.
The most famous use of this code was in the classic Famicom/NES version of Contra. Use of the code dramatically increased the ease of playing the game, raising the player's "lives" from 3 to a much more generous 30. Only seasoned "pros" could finish many Konami games without the use of the Konami Code. Because of this, many game players from the 1980s are able to recite the code (possibly with a trailing "START" or "SELECT, START" to begin a one or two-player game respectively in Contra) from memory. It has become a badge of pride to "old-school" video gamers.
Uses in games
Entering the code on the title screen animation would recolour the title screen. The player could 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
One of the first, and the most famous use of the code. Entering at the start screen gives the player 30 lives, making the game much easier to finish.
This latest installment of the game which popularized the code featured a unique way of inputing the code. At the title screen, press Up, Up, Down, Down, L1, R1, L2, R2, L3, R3 on the second controller and then proceed to the game. You will now have 30 lives at your disposal.
The Single Basic (one-player low difficulty) steps for the song Make A Jam! include the directions of the code (i.e. without B, A, Select or Start) five times. A faint chime can be heard afterwards each time.
Dance Dance Revolution Extreme (Arcade Game/Playstation 2 (Japanese version only))
The Single Standard/Trick (the 3rd dificulty) steps for the song Twinbee ~Generation X~ include the directions of the Konami code.
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 songs will be instantly unlocked.
Here, the drum pads and bass pedals were used to activate the Expert Real difficulty level.
Gradius
Pausing the game, then entering the code activated all powerups except for Speed Up. This is used for pretty much every game in the series.
Gradius II (Famicom/NES)
Enter the code at the title screen to begin with thirty lives.
Normally entering the code while paused destroyed the player instantly. However, if the player entered the code using the L and R buttons for Left and Right, they received full Powerups.
As with most of the other Gradius games, the code was entered while paused, and gave the player full powerups. Using L1 and R1 gave the Laser powerup, while L2 and R2 gave the Double shot.
After finishing the game, when the clear code is presented on-screen, press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Circle and X and you will Snake yell something, confirming, the code. It doesn't do anything in particular though.
In the Missions mode, enter "UUDDLRLRBA" as your username and all the characters (Ninja Raiden, Pliskin, ect.) will be unlocked.
Press Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Square and Triangle when the Konami logo appears. It will 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.
Salamander/Life Force
Entering the code at the start screen gives the player 30 lives.
Entering the code in the title screen causes a supporting character to appear in his underwear during all cutscenes.
(Famicom/NES)
Enter the code at the title screen with the A and B buttons reversed and you will gain access to a stage select mode.
It's worth noting that when you enter the code in the Famicom version of the game released in Japan, the game will simply give you a message from Konami. In order for the code to work properly, the functions of each button had to be reversed and the code resulted as Down, Down, Up, Up, Right, Left, Right, Left, B and A.
While fighting the Vic Viper boss in Extra Missions Mode, entering the code with L1 and R1 for A and B activated the Zoradius mini-game. Entering the same code again in Zoradius while paused gave the player full powerups.
Appearances in non-Konami games
Nintendo's Wario Ware, Inc. Mega Microgame$ and Wario Ware, Inc. Mega Party Game$ 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, a likely reference to the Konami code.
Tom and Jerry for the classic NES also supported 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 user to type this 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 (to be entered during the Chronic Logic presents screen to unlock the game's turbo mode.
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