Cheat Codes
Use cheat codes for infinite lives, invincibility, and more.
4 min read
Playback supports cheat codes for your games, including pre-loaded database cheats and custom codes you add yourself.
Accessing cheats
- Load a game (insert cartridge and launch)
- Open Settings (click the Playback logo > Settings)
- Select Cheat Codes from the menu
The Cheat Codes option only appears when a game is loaded.
Database cheats
Many games have pre-loaded cheats from Playback’s internal database. These appear automatically when you open the cheat menu.
Using database cheats
- Open Settings > Cheat Codes
- Expand the [Game Name] Default section
- Browse or search for cheats
- Check the box next to any cheat to enable it
- Click Save
Example database cheats include infinite lives, infinite health, max money, and level select.
Custom cheats
Add your own cheat codes found online.
Adding a custom cheat
- Open Settings > Cheat Codes
- Expand the Custom Cheats section
- Click the + button
- Enter a Description (e.g., “Infinite Lives”)
- Enter the Code (e.g.,
01FF3CD1) - Click the checkmark to confirm
- Check the enable box if you want it active immediately
- Click Save
Managing custom cheats
| Action | How to |
|---|---|
| Add | Click the + button |
| Enable/Disable | Check/uncheck the box next to the cheat |
| Delete | Click the trash icon next to the cheat |
Custom cheats are saved per game and persist between sessions.
Cheat code formats
Playback supports standard cheat code formats:
Game Boy® / Game Boy Color
| Format | Example |
|---|---|
| Game Genie | ABC-DEF-GHI |
| GameShark | 01FF3CD1 |
Game Boy Advance
| Format | Example |
|---|---|
| GameShark v1/v2 | XXXXXXXX YYYYYYYY |
| Xploder | XXXXXXXX YYYYYYYY |
| Code Breaker | XXXXXXXX YYYY |
Super Nintendo
| Format | Example |
|---|---|
| Game Genie | XXXX-XXXX |
| Pro Action Replay | XXXXXXXX |
Important warnings
Disable Autosave when using cheats
Turn off “Autosave to Cartridge” before using cheats. If autosave is enabled, cheated game states may be written to your cartridge, potentially corrupting your legitimate save data.
To disable:
- Go to Settings > Playback
- Find Autosave to Cartridge
- Turn it Off
Cheats and RetroAchievements
| Mode | Cheats allowed? |
|---|---|
| Normal (Softcore) | Yes — achievements still unlock |
| Hardcore Mode | No — cheats are completely disabled |
If Hardcore Mode is enabled, the cheat system is blocked to maintain achievement integrity.
Cheats are one-way during gameplay
Once you enable a cheat during an active game session, you cannot turn it off until you restart the game. This is a limitation of how cheat codes work at the emulation level.
Finding cheat codes
Search online for GameShark, Action Replay, or Game Genie codes that match your game’s region (US, EU, JP).
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Cheat Codes option not visible | Load a game first — cheats only appear when a game is running |
| Database cheats section empty | Your game has no pre-loaded cheats in the database |
| Cheat not working | Code may be wrong format, wrong region, or incompatible with the core |
| Can’t disable a cheat | Restart the game — cheats can only be toggled before activation |
| Cheats grayed out | Hardcore Mode is enabled — disable it in Integrations settings |
| Game crashes with cheat | Some cheats are unstable — try a different code |
| Save data corrupted | You had autosave enabled — restore from the Vault |
Quick reference
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Save | Saves all cheat settings |
| Restore Defaults | Disables all cheats and deletes custom cheats for this game |
| + | Add a new custom cheat |
| Trash icon | Remove a custom cheat |
| Checkbox | Enable/disable a cheat |
See also
- RetroAchievements — Earning achievements while playing
- Save Vault — Recover from corrupted saves
Still need help? Contact our support team
