The Legend of Zelda: Game Genie Codes

What Was the Game Genie for NES?

Before the GameShark, there was the Game Genie. Developed by Codemasters and famously distributed by Galoob in North America (often amidst legal controversy), the Game Genie was one of the most popular cheat devices for 8-bit and 16-bit consoles, including the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It predates devices like the GameShark and functioned similarly as a pass-through connector.

You would plug the Game Genie into the NES console’s cartridge slot, and then insert the game cartridge into the top of the Game Genie. When you powered on the system, instead of the game booting immediately, the Game Genie’s menu screen would appear. Here, players could enter specific alphanumeric codes, typically 6 or 8 letters long. These codes would actively modify the game’s program code as it was read by the console, enabling various cheats.

Common effects included infinite lives, invincibility, starting with powerful items, jumping higher, selecting levels, or other alterations that could make games easier, harder, or just different and fun to experiment with.

This guide focuses on Game Genie codes for the original NES classic, The Legend of Zelda.

Game Genie Codes for The Legend of Zelda (NES)

Enhance your journey through Hyrule in the original The Legend of Zelda on the NES with these Game Genie codes. Input these codes at the Game Genie screen before starting the game.

Invincibility and Enhanced Health

• Total Invincibility: AVVLAUSZ
  Prevents Link from taking damage from most enemies and hazards.
• Start with 8 Heart Containers: YYKPOYZZ
  Begin the first quest with 8 hearts instead of 3.
• Start with 16 Heart Containers: NYKPOYZX
  Begin the first quest with the maximum 16 hearts.

Infinite Resources

• Keep Rupees After Buying: SZVXASVK
  Your Rupee count won’t decrease when buying items (effectively infinite for shopping).
• Infinite Bombs: SZNZVOVK
  Allows you to use bombs without depleting your count (you need at least one bomb first).
• Infinite Keys: AEOEPSZA
  Use keys without decreasing your count (you need at least one key first).

Equipment and Items

• Start with Blue Ring: ESKUILTA
  Begin the game with the Blue Ring equipped (damage taken is halved).
• Start with Red Ring: OSKUILTA
  Begin the game with the Red Ring equipped (damage taken is reduced to a quarter).
• All Shop Items Free: (Requires both codes below)
  • SZVXASVK
  • AEVEVALG

  Purchase any item from shops without spending Rupees.

• Start with Magic Sword: ESKUYLTA
  Begin the game with the best sword.

Gameplay Modifications

• No Need for Candle in Dark Rooms: AOEUYTEY
  All dark rooms in dungeons are fully lit without using a candle.
• All Hidden Entrances Revealed: KTVXXZ
  Secret passages/entrances that normally require bombs or candles are always open.
• Only One Enemy Per Screen: AEOANAEG
  Significantly reduces the number of enemies appearing in most areas.
• Walk Through Walls (Limited): GZXXXZ
  Allows walking through some boundaries; often glitchy, use with caution!

Note: Combining too many codes, or codes that affect similar game functions, may cause conflicts or prevent the game from running correctly.

Using Game Genie Codes with NES Emulators

While the physical Game Genie cartridge is a collector’s item, its cheat code functionality lives on in most Nintendo Entertainment System emulators. You can usually enter these codes directly into the emulator’s cheat menu. Here’s how to do it in some popular NES emulators:

🕹️ Mesen

Mesen is a highly accurate and popular NES emulator:

1. Load Your Game:
   • Open your The Legend of Zelda ROM file.
2. Access the Cheats Menu:
   • Go to Tools > Cheats.
3. Add a New Cheat:
   • In the Cheats window, click the Add button (often a ‘+’ icon).
   • Select Game Genie Code as the type.
   • Enter the Game Genie code (e.g., AVVLAUSZ) into the “Code” field.
   • Add an optional description.
   • Click OK or Add.
4. Activate the Cheat:
   • Ensure the checkbox next to your added cheat in the list is ticked.

🕹️ FCEUX

FCEUX is a long-standing and feature-rich NES emulator:

1. Load Your Game:
   • Open your The Legend of Zelda ROM.
2. Access the Cheats Menu:
   • Click on the NES menu, then select Cheats.
3. Add a New Cheat:
   • In the Cheats window, find the section for adding codes.
   • Click the Game Genie button or enter the code in the main input box and ensure “Game Genie” format is selected/detected.
   • Enter the code (e.g., SZVXASVK).
   • Add an optional description if available.
   • Click the Add button.
4. Activate the Cheat:
   • The added cheat should appear in the list, usually active by default. You can typically toggle it on/off using a checkbox or button.

🕹️ RetroArch (using Nestopia UE or FCEUmm core)

RetroArch uses “cores” for emulation; Nestopia UE and FCEUmm are common NES cores:

1. Load Your Game:
   • Load the appropriate core (e.g., Nestopia UE), then load your The Legend of Zelda ROM.
2. Access the Quick Menu:
   • Press the hotkey to open the RetroArch Quick Menu (often F1).
3. Access the Cheats Menu:
   • Scroll down and select Cheats.
4. Add a New Cheat:
   • Select Add New Cheat to Top (or Bottom).
   • Select Code.
   • Enter the Game Genie code (e.g., SZNZVOVK).
   • You might need to manually enable the cheat by toggling the “Enabled” option for that code line.
   • Add a description if desired.
   • Go back to the Cheats menu and select Apply Changes.
5. Activate the Cheat:
   • Ensure the cheat code line shows as “ON” or enabled in the list, and that Cheats are generally enabled in RetroArch settings if needed.

Emulator Cheat Notes:

• Code Format: Game Genie codes are typically 6 or 8 letters. Most emulators have a specific input field for them.
• Conflicts: Using multiple codes that modify the same part of the game can cause conflicts or unpredictable results. If the game crashes or behaves oddly, try disabling some codes.
• Emulator Variations: The exact menu names or steps might differ slightly depending on the specific version of the emulator you are using.

Using these Game Genie codes via an emulator allows you to experience classic NES games like The Legend of Zelda with the same kinds of modifications enjoyed back in the day, adding replayability or helping overcome challenging sections.