Hacking the Past: Cheat Devices Explained
Cheat devices like the Game Genie, Pro Action Replay (PAR), GameShark, Action Replay (AR), and CodeBreaker were popular hardware accessories for consoles like the Super Nintendo (SNES) and Game Boy Advance (GBA). These devices typically worked as pass-through adapters, sitting between the console and the game cartridge/card. They allowed players to enter specific codes to modify game data in real-time, enabling cheats such as invincibility, infinite items, level manipulation, and more.
This guide covers cheat codes for the timeless classic, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, across its two main versions: the original SNES release and the later GBA port (which often included the multiplayer *Four Swords* game).
⚠️ Important Warning: Using cheat codes directly alters how the game code runs. While usually intended to provide advantages or fun, this can lead to unexpected glitches, graphical errors, game freezes, crashes, save data corruption, or other unpredictable behavior. Use codes responsibly, understand the risks, and consider backing up save data when using emulators.
A Link to the Past (SNES) – Game Genie & Pro Action Replay Codes
The original Super Nintendo version of *A Link to the Past* can be modified using popular devices like the Game Genie or the more advanced Pro Action Replay.
Game Genie Codes (SNES)
The SNES Game Genie required players to enter codes (usually in XXXX-XXXX format) at its startup screen before the game loaded.
- Infinite Health (Hearts don’t decrease):
DD30-6DAD - Infinite Magic Power (Meter doesn’t decrease):
DD6C-A7D4 - Infinite Rupees (Don’t decrease when spending):
C2B5-6F0F - Infinite Bombs (Count doesn’t decrease):
DD3E-AF07 - Infinite Arrows (Count doesn’t decrease):
DD32-A7A7 - Moon Jump (Hold B for high jump):
DDAA-6F6F(May have side effects) - Take No Damage From Bumping Walls:
DD8C-A7A9 - Start with 10 Hearts:
DBB4-0F6D(May require starting a new game)
Pro Action Replay Codes (SNES)
Pro Action Replay (PAR) codes for SNES often allowed more direct memory manipulation (codes typically look like 7ExxxxYY or similar). Sometimes a master code is needed, but many simple PAR codes work without one in emulators.
- Infinite Health:
7E037BFF - Max Health (Displays current max):
7E037AFF - Infinite Magic:
7E037D80(Value 80hex = 128) - Max Rupees (9999):
7E037E0F+7E037F27(Requires both codes) - Infinite Bombs (Have 99):
7EF37663(Value 63hex = 99) - Infinite Arrows (Have 99):
7EF37763 - Have Master Sword (L-2):
7EF35902 - Have Tempered Sword (L-3):
7EF35903 - Have Golden Sword (L-4):
7EF35904 - Have Mirror Shield (L-3):
7EF35A03 - Have Red Mail (L-3 Tunic):
7EF35B02 - Have Pegasus Boots:
7EF37301 - Have Power Glove:
7EF37001 - Have Titan’s Mitt:
7EF37002 - Have Zora’s Flippers:
7EF37101 - Have Moon Pearl:
7EF37201 - Have All Pendants:
7EF36E07 - Have All Crystals:
7EF36F7F - Walk Through Walls (Glitchy):
7E00DFFF(Can cause major issues, use caution!)
Using SNES Codes with Emulators
Most SNES emulators allow you to enter Game Genie or Pro Action Replay codes via a dedicated cheat menu.
- Snes9x: Look for a “Cheats” menu option. It typically has input boxes for both “Game Genie Code” and “Pro Action Replay Code”. Enter the code in the correct box and add a description.
- ZSNES: Known for robust cheat features. Access the “CHEAT” menu, where you can “ADD CODE” and input either Game Genie or PAR codes (it usually auto-detects or lets you specify).
- bsnes/Higan/Ares: Cheat interfaces vary but are usually present under tool or debug menus. Look for options to add Game Genie or raw memory address codes (for PAR).
- RetroArch (using Snes9x, bsnes, etc. cores): Open the Quick Menu (F1), go to “Cheats”, then “Add New Cheat”. You can often type the code directly, and it might auto-detect the type, or you may need to manually select it. Remember to “Apply Changes”.
Emulator Notes (SNES): Conflicts between codes are possible. Some PAR codes might affect game stability more than Game Genie codes. Master codes are generally not required for simple PAR cheats in most modern emulators.
A Link to the Past & Four Swords (GBA) – Action Replay / GameShark Codes
The Game Boy Advance version bundles *A Link to the Past* with the multiplayer *Four Swords*. Cheat devices like Action Replay (AR), GameShark (GS), and CodeBreaker (CB) were common. Action Replay V3/MAX codes are widely used and often compatible with GameShark SP. CodeBreaker uses a different format/master code.
Important: GBA cheat devices almost always require a Master Code (sometimes called ‘(M)’ or ‘Enable Code’) to be entered and active along with the individual cheat codes. Multiple Master Codes may exist; use one appropriate for your device/emulator and game version (USA, Europe, etc.).
Common Master Codes (GBA – USA Version)
You MUST enable one of these (or another valid M code) for other codes to work.
- Action Replay V3 / GameShark SP (Primary):
DE000400 0000 E1187131 DC8D D65831F9 063C - Action Replay V3 / GameShark SP (Alternative):
9846F689 EC5F 1E1A3B40 2090 B86FBC78 876A - CodeBreaker:
0000E816 000A 10000416 0007
(Use codes below primarily with an AR V3 / GS SP Master Code unless specified as CB)
Action Replay / GameShark Codes (GBA – A Link to the Past)
- Infinite Health:
3A874799 4015 - Max Health:
06B0CF8F E584 - Infinite Magic:
06E63B85 D49C - Max/Infinite Rupees:
6AD51865 C506 - Infinite Bombs:
B6B13327 7583 - Infinite Arrows:
7B82EA90 D037 - Have Master Sword (L2):
33E7EA4F E82E - Have Tempered Sword (L3):
D7968825 0EC1 - Have Golden Sword (L4):
93E5AEE7 1B2C - Have Mirror Shield (L3):
2D6649E2 F8F9 - Have Red Tunic (L3):
06971857 7263 - Have Pegasus Boots:
B3B16A97 3120 - Have Titan’s Mitt (L2 Glove):
659678C1 B536 - Have Zora’s Flippers:
D1156BC5 363F - Have Moon Pearl:
38C360A7 54D8 - Have All Pendants:
D1352D87 771C - Have All Crystals:
71096143 D545 - Walk Through Walls (Glitchy):
74000130 03BF+E00069C4 0008(Example – often complex, requires button activation, very unstable)
Using GBA Codes with Emulators
Most GBA emulators support Action Replay, GameShark, and CodeBreaker codes.
- VisualBoyAdvance (VBA / VBA-M): Go to “Cheats” > “Cheat list…”. Click “Add…” or specific buttons like “Gameshark…”, “Codebreaker…”, “Action Replay…”. Enter the Master Code first (often as Action Replay or GameShark type), then add individual codes. Ensure the correct format is selected.
- mGBA: Go to “Tools” > “Cheats”. Use “Add GameShark” for AR/GS codes or “Add CodeBreaker” for CB codes. Enter the Master Code first, ensuring it’s enabled, then add the cheats.
- RetroArch (using mGBA, VBA-M, gpSP cores): Open the Quick Menu (F1), go to “Cheats”. You may need to “Load Cheat File” if using pre-made `.cht` files, or “Add New Cheat” manually. Enter the Master Code first, enable it, then add subsequent codes, ensuring they are also enabled. Apply changes.
Emulator Notes (GBA): The Master Code is essential and must be entered correctly (often as multiple lines) and enabled. Ensure you are using codes for the correct game region (USA, Europe) and the correct cheat device format supported by the emulator. Conflicts can still occur.
Whether you’re playing on original hardware with a physical device or using an emulator, these codes offer ways to rediscover or simply have fun with the vast world of *The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past* on both SNES and GBA.