Majora’s Mask: Gameshark Codes

What Was the GameShark? A Retro Gaming Cheat Device Explained

In the landscape of modern video games, dedicated hardware “cheating” devices are far less common than they were decades ago. Today’s consoles often feature robust security, frequent online updates, and integrated systems that make developing unauthorized hardware modifications challenging and risky. However, back in the era of cartridge-based gaming, devices like the GameShark were popular tools for players looking to bend the rules.

Developed by InterAct, the GameShark is the brand name for a line of third-party hardware accessories. For cartridge-based consoles like the Nintendo 64, Sega Saturn, and PlayStation (which used a specific port), the GameShark typically acted as a pass-through device. You would plug the GameShark into the console’s cartridge slot, and then plug the game cartridge into the GameShark itself. This setup allowed the GameShark to intercept and modify game data before it was executed by the console.

By entering specific alphanumeric codes, users could activate cheats that weren’t normally accessible through gameplay or standard button combinations. Common uses included:

• Unlocking infinite health, lives, or ammunition.
• Gaining access to all items, weapons, or levels instantly.
• Modifying character stats or game physics (e.g., moon jump, walk through walls).
• Accessing hidden or debug content left by developers.

While incredibly popular among gamers wanting to experiment or overcome difficult sections, these devices operated by directly manipulating game memory.

GameShark Codes for The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (N64)

The following codes are designed for the Nintendo 64 version of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask and generally require GameShark version 2.5 or higher on original hardware. They can often be used in N64 emulators as well (see instructions below).

These codes work by writing specific values to memory addresses used by the game.

Player Status & Core Abilities:

Maximum Health (20 Hearts): 811EF6A4 0140

Infinite Health (Keep Hearts Full): 811EF6A6 0140

Double Magic Meter Enabled: 811EF6B0 0101

(Note: You might need separate codes for infinite magic)

No Collisions (Walk Through Some Walls/Objects): 8017F5B4 0020 (Can be buggy)

All Items Usable By Any Character Form: 811F3588 0000

Inventory – Masks:

Have All Standard Masks: 811EF6F8 3E39

Have Fierce Deity’s Mask: 801EF70F 0035 (Note: Usually only usable in boss rooms)

Inventory – Equipment & Items:

Have Ocarina of Time: 801EF6E0 0000

Have Hero’s Bow: 801EF6E1 0001

Have Fire Arrow: 801EF6E2 0002

Have Ice Arrow: 801EF6E3 0003

Have Light Arrow: 801EF6E4 0004

Have Bombs: 801EF6E6 0006

Have Bombchu: 801EF6E7 0007

Have Deku Sticks: 801EF6E8 0008

Have Deku Nuts: 801EF6E9 0009

Have Magic Beans: 801EF6EA 000A

Have Powder Kegs: 801EF6EC 000C

Have Pictograph Box: 801EF6ED 000D

Have Lens of Truth: 801EF6EE 000E

Have Hookshot: 801EF6EF 000F

Have Great Fairy’s Sword: 801EF6F0 0010

Have all Quest/Status Items (e.g., Bomber’s Notebook): 801EF72D 0005

Inventory – Infinite Consumables:

Infinite Arrows: 801EF711 0063

Infinite Bombs: 801EF716 0063

Infinite Bombchus: 801EF717 0063

Infinite Deku Sticks: 801EF718 0063

Infinite Deku Nuts: 801EF719 0063

Infinite Magic Beans: 801EF71A 0063

Infinite Powder Kegs: 801EF71C 0063

Inventory – Event Item Modifier:

Code: 801EF6E5 00XX (Replace XX with the value below)

• 28: Moon’s Tear
• 29: Land Title Deed
• 2A: Swamp Title Deed
• 2B: Mountain Title Deed
• 2C: Ocean Title Deed
• 2D: Room Key
• 2E: Special Delivery to Mama
• 2F: Letter to Kafei
• 30: Pendant of Memories

Inventory – Bottle Content Modifier (First Bottle Slot):

Code: 801EF6F2 00XX (Replace XX with the value below)

• 13: Red Potion
• 14: Green Potion
• 15: Blue Potion
• 17: Deku Princess
• 18: Full Milk
• 19: Half Milk
• 1C: Blue Fire
• 1E: Big Poe
• 1F: Spring Water
• 20: Hot Spring Water
• 21: Zora Egg
• 22: Gold Dust
• 23: Magical Mushroom
• 24: Sea Horse
• 25: Chateau Romani

Dungeon Items & Collectibles:

Have All Stray Fairies (Current Area): 811EF744 0F0F (Might need reactivation per area)

Have Boss Key, Compass, and Map (Current Dungeon): 811EF730 0707

Infinite Small Keys (Current Dungeon): 811EF73A 0909 (Value is 9, should be enough)

Using GameShark Codes with N64 Emulators

While physical GameShark devices are relics of the past for many, their codes live on through the cheat functionalities built into most Nintendo 64 emulators. Here’s how to use them in two popular emulators:

🕹️ Project64 (Windows)

Project64 has robust, user-friendly support for GameShark codes:

1. Enable Advanced Settings (If Needed):
   • Go to Options > Settings.
   • In the Options tab (it might be called “General” or similar depending on the version), ensure “Hide Advanced Settings” is unchecked. Click OK.
2. Load Your Game:
   • Open your The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask ROM file.
3. Access the Cheats Menu:
   • Once the game is running, click on System > Cheats (or press Ctrl + C).
4. Add a New Cheat:
   • The Cheats window will appear. Right-click in the main list area and select “Add New Cheat…“.
   • Give the cheat a descriptive Name (e.g., “Infinite Health”).
   • Paste the GameShark Code (e.g., 811EF6A6 0140) into the “Code” or “Value” field(s). Some versions have separate boxes for the address (811EF6A6) and the value (0140).
   • You can add optional Notes.
   • Click “Add Cheat” or “OK“.
5. Activate the Cheat:
   • Ensure the checkbox next to your newly added cheat in the list is ticked. The cheat should now be active in the game. You can toggle cheats on/off from this menu.

🕹️ Mupen64Plus (Cross-Platform – Core Emulator)

Mupen64Plus is often used as a backend for various frontends (like RetroArch, M64Py, etc.). The method can vary slightly depending on the frontend, but the core principles often involve editing a cheat file or using a GUI if the frontend provides one. Here’s a general approach often used with command-line or basic frontends:

1. Locate or Create the Cheat File:
   • Find the cheat file used by your Mupen64Plus setup. It’s often named Mupen64Plus.cht or similar and located in the Mupen64Plus configuration directory (e.g., ~/.config/mupen64plus/ on Linux, %APPDATA%\Mupen64Plus\ on Windows).
2. Identify the Game:
   • Cheat files usually organize codes by game. You’ll need the game’s “GoodName” or internal name/ID. For Majora’s Mask (USA), it’s often identified as THE LEGEND OF ZELDA.
3. Add the Cheat Code:
   • Open the cheat file with a text editor.
   • Find the section for Majora’s Mask. If it doesn’t exist, you may need to create it following the file’s format.
   • Add the GameShark code using the required syntax. It typically looks like this:

     [CheatName]
     CheatN=Code,"Description"

   • For example:

     [Infinite Health]
     Cheat0=811EF6A6 0140,"Keep Hearts Full"

     (The exact format might vary slightly)

4. Enable Cheats via Frontend/Command Line:
   • Most frontends will have a “Cheats” menu where you can load the cheat file and toggle specific cheats on/off.
   • If running from the command line, you might need specific parameters to enable cheats (e.g., --cheats list --cheat N where N is the cheat number). Consult your frontend’s or Mupen64Plus’s documentation.

Emulator Cheat Notes:

• Master Codes: Codes often marked with (M) or labeled “Must Be On” were required for the physical GameShark device to function. These are usually not needed in emulators and can sometimes cause instability or crashes if entered. Stick to the standard cheat codes.
• Stability: As with the original hardware, using too many codes or certain code combinations can lead to glitches or crashes. Enable codes one by one if you encounter issues.
• Emulator Versions: Cheat interfaces and file locations can change between different versions of emulators and their frontends.

By following these steps, you can leverage the power of GameShark codes to explore The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask in new and exciting ways, even without the original hardware!