Cheats
Cheats with Action Replay Codes
Action Replay is the best-known cheat system for the DS. It works by injecting small codes that change values in a game's memory, enabling things like infinite lives, unlocked items, or walk-through-walls effects. The same code format is widely supported by flashcarts and loaders, so you rarely need the original Action Replay cartridge.
How Codes Work
- Each cheat is a list of hexadecimal lines tied to a specific game and region.
- A loader applies the active codes as the game boots, patching memory on the fly.
- Codes are matched to a game's serial, so a code for one region may do nothing, or misbehave, on another.
Cheat Databases
Most setups read a shared cheat database file. You point your loader at this file, pick your game, and toggle individual cheats. Keeping the database current means new games and corrected codes are available without manual entry.
Use Them Carefully
- Enable one cheat at a time when testing; conflicting codes are a frequent cause of freezes.
- Mind your saves. Some cheats can corrupt a save permanently, so back up first.
- Match the region. A mismatched code is the usual reason a cheat crashes instead of working.
Used sparingly, codes are a fun way to revisit hard games or unlock content quickly.