A Link Between Worlds: Action Replay PowerSaves & 3DS Cheats

What Was The Action Replay PowerSaves?

Nintendo DS Action Replay PowerSaves

Action Replay PowerSaves was a popular way to apply cheats to 3DS game carts like A Link Between Worlds.

When searching for cheats for Nintendo 3DS games like The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, players often look for terms like “Action Replay”. It’s important to understand that the primary commercial “Action Replay” product for the 3DS was the Action Replay PowerSaves device by Datel. This worked differently from older Action Replay cartridges.

PowerSaves typically involved a USB dongle that connected your official 3DS game cartridge to a PC. Using specific software, you could then download and apply pre-defined cheat effects (often modified save files or game patches) directly to your cartridge from Datel’s servers. You didn’t enter codes manually on the 3DS itself with this device.

However, another popular method for cheating on the 3DS involves installing Custom Firmware (CFW). With CFW, users can utilize homebrew tools like BootNTR Selector to load plugins containing user-enterable cheat codes, similar in format to older cheat systems.

This guide will first detail the common effects available via Action Replay PowerSaves and then provide a list of the enterable CFW/BootNTR cheat codes for more advanced users or emulator players.

⚠️ Important Warning: Both PowerSaves and CFW methods modify game data or system software. PowerSaves can potentially overwrite your existing save file. Installing CFW incorrectly carries a risk of system instability (bricking) if CFW installation is done improperly. Using any cheats can lead to glitches, crashes, save corruption, or unpredictable gameplay behavior. Proceed with caution, understand the risks involved, follow instructions carefully, and always back up data where possible.

A Link Between Worlds (3DS) – Action Replay PowerSaves Cheats

The Action Replay PowerSaves device for 3DS applies cheats by modifying your game cartridge’s save data via PC software. You do not enter codes on the 3DS. Instead, you select the desired effects from the PowerSaves software menu. Common available cheats (often called “Powersaves”) for A Link Between Worlds typically include:

Max Rupees: Sets your Rupee count to the maximum (e.g., 9999).
Max Health: Grants the maximum number of Heart Containers (e.g., 20 hearts).
Infinite Health: Modifies the save so hearts refill instantly or don’t deplete (may require reapplying).
Infinite Energy Gauge: Sets the energy gauge to be always full.
All Items Acquired: Unlocks major items like the Master Sword (potentially max level), Hylian Shield, all Tunics, Pegasus Boots, Titan’s Mitt, Flippers, etc. (Warning: Can break game progression if used early).
All Maiamais Found: Marks all 100 Maiamais as collected, allowing item upgrades.
Max Monster Materials: Gives 99 of each collectible monster part.
Unlock Hero Mode: Activates the harder game difficulty.
Refill Arrows/Bombs: Sets current ammo count to maximum.

Note: The exact cheats available depend on the PowerSaves server and software version. Using these cheats will overwrite your current save file progress on the cartridge unless managed carefully.

A Link Between Worlds (3DS) – CFW/BootNTR Cheat Codes

This section lists cheat codes commonly used with Custom Firmware (CFW) like Luma3DS and the BootNTR Selector homebrew application on a modded 3DS. These codes are typically stored in .plg files and activated via an in-game menu. They may also work in emulators like Citra.

Requirement: Using these codes on a 3DS console requires CFW and BootNTR Selector to be properly installed.

Note on Game ID & Region: Cheats are specific to the game version and region. Ensure your cheat plugin and codes match your game’s ID. The common ID for the USA/NTSC version is 00040000000EC400.

Code Format: NTR codes often use formats like 0xxxxxxx yyyyyyyy (32-bit write), 1xxxxxxx 0000yyyy (16-bit write), 2xxxxxxx 000000yy (8-bit write), or DD000000 xxxxxxxx (button activators).

Player Status

Infinite Health (Hearts Refill):
```
0034989C 00000140
```
Max Hearts (Set Capacity to 20):
```
10349898 00000140
```
Infinite Energy Gauge (Stamina):
```
003498A0 000003E8
```
Max/Infinite Rupees (Have 9999):
```
003498A4 0000270F
```

Invincibility (Toggle On/Off with Select):

DD000000 00000004
103498D2 00000001
D0000000 00000000
DD000000 00000004
103498D2 00000000
D0000000 00000000

Inventory & Ammo

Infinite Arrows (Have 99):
```
103498BA 00000063
```
Infinite Bombs (Have 99):
```
103498BC 00000063
```

Equipment & Collectibles

Note: Using “Have Item” or “All Collectibles” codes can significantly impact game progression.

Have Master Sword Lv 3 (Max):
```
103498D5 00000003
```
Have Hylian Shield:
```
103498D6 00000002
```
Have All 100 Maiamais Found:
```
1034990C 00000064
```
(May need to find one more to trigger reward.)
Have Pegasus Boots:
```
103498DD 00000001
```
Have Titan’s Mitt:
```
103498DE 00000002
```
Have Zora’s Flippers:
```
103498DF 00000001
```
Have Power Glove:
```
103498DE 00000001
```

Fun / Miscellaneous Codes

Walk Through Walls (Hold R Button):

DD000000 00000100
60349B60 00000000
00000048 00000001
D0000000 00000000
DD000000 00000000
60349B60 00000000
00000048 00000000
D0000000 00000000

(Complex code, prone to glitches!)

Fast Movement Speed (Hold B):

DD000000 00000002
00349B60 40800000
D0000000 00000000
DD000000 00000000
00349B60 40000000
D0000000 00000000

Merge Instantly (No Wait):
```
0014F7F8 E3A00001
```

Disclaimer: CFW/NTR codes require a modded 3DS. Ensure codes match your Game ID/region (USA: 00040000000EC400). Stability varies. Incorrect CFW usage carries system risks.

Using 3DS Cheats with Emulators (Citra)

The primary Nintendo 3DS emulator, Citra, includes cheat support, primarily using the CFW/NTR code format listed in the section above. It does not directly interface with Action Replay PowerSaves, although modified save files could potentially be imported if extracted.

🕹️ Citra Emulator

Load Your Game Info: Ensure A Link Between Worlds is recognized in Citra’s game list.
Access Cheats Menu: Right-click on the game in the list and select Cheats…, or while running the game, go to Emulation > Cheats….
Add Cheat Codes:
- Click the Add Cheat… button (or similar, depending on Citra version).
- Enter a descriptive Name for the cheat (e.g., “Infinite Rupees”).
- Optionally add Notes.
- Paste the entire NTR-style code (including button activators if any) into the large “Code” text box. Citra usually expects codes in the NTR format.
- Click Save or Add.
Activate Cheats: Ensure the checkbox next to the desired cheat(s) in the list is ticked (enabled). You can toggle cheats on/off here.
Close and Play: Close the Cheats window. Enabled codes should take effect.

Emulator Cheat Notes:

Supported Format: Citra primarily uses NTR plugin style codes. PowerSaves effects must be applied via save file manipulation, not direct code entry in Citra.
Game ID / Region: Codes are region-specific. Ensure they match your game ROM/dump’s region ID (e.g., USA 00040000000EC400). Citra usually displays the Game ID.
Stability: Emulation accuracy and cheat compatibility can vary. Complex cheats or multiple codes might cause slowdowns, graphical glitches, or crashes in Citra. Test codes individually if issues occur.
CFW Requirement (Physical Console): Remember, the listed codes require Custom Firmware and BootNTR when used on an actual 3DS console.

Whether using Action Replay PowerSaves on your cartridge or CFW/NTR codes on hardware or in Citra, these methods provide ways to alter your A Link Between Worlds experience.