Note: | This section is largely deals with using a real Game Genie on a
Genesis/Mega-Drive. You may find one or two of the tips useful for using Game Genie codes in emulators though. You will find more information about entering and using Game Genie codes in emulators in the "Using Game Genie Codes" section. You will need to read the instructions that came with your emulator for help using the Game Genie function with that particular emulator. |
Entering Codes. |
To enter codes, look up the game title in this e-book and choose the
codes you wish to use. Games appear in alphabetical order and can be accessed
from the menu on the left. You can enter up to five codes at a
time*, and some effects use up more than one code.
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Starting the Game. |
When all desired codes have been entered, double-check them to make sure
they have been entered correctly and double-check to make sure a Master Code
has been entered if one is required. Then press "Start" on the Control
Pad to begin the game. The first screen of the game will appear as normal.
You can now play the game as usual, according to the instructions that came
with it.
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Advanced Code Editing Features. |
Press Reset during a game, or at the end of a game, to return
to the Code Screen. All the codes you previously entered will still appear
in the Code Lines. At this point, you can:
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Uses of the Effects Switch. |
For example, many "start with" codes make certain changes at the beginning of the game that will not disappear when you turn off the Effects Switch. If you use a code such as "Start with 9 lives," in a game that normally gives you 3 lives, turning off the switch will not cause the number of lives left to go immediately back to 3. You will continue to use up the remaining number of lives until you lose them all and the game ends. On most games, codes that may not shut off include "start with" codes affecting lives, credits or character points, level-warp codes, and some other codes. On most games, codes that are more likely to shut off include invincibility, speedup, jump codes, and some other codes. |
If You Have Problems with Codes... |
It is possible that some codes or combinations of codes may cause undesired
effects at some point in the game play. If this occurs, IT WILL NOT HARM
YOUR GAMES OR GAME CONSOLE.
Simply press Reset or shut off the power to the Genesis/Mega-Drive and turn it back on again to bring up the Code Screen. (or, continue playing if you can.) Entering passwords and Game Genie codes together may cause problems on some games. If you experience an undesired effect:
Some Game Genie codes may have no effect, sometimes as a result of the game publisher making changes to a game in later production runs. In addition, there are other reasons why codes don't work. A 16-bit video game contains a very large number of ever-changing conditions, so you may be the first to discover a location, situation, or combination of conditions in a game where a code problem occurs. |
Using Master Codes. |
Some games require a "master code" to be entered before they will work
with a Game Genie, if you have a master code for a game you MUST USE IT.
There is a way to bypass the need to use master codes however which will allow you to use an extra cheat code. Enter your codes in the Game Genie Code screen as normal without the master code, but before you press the start button to begin the game make sure that the effects switch is in the OFF (down) position, the effects light should not be lit.
Now press the start button and wait until you first see any sign of the game
starting (usually about 5 seconds). Then immediately flip the Game Genie
switch "ON" (up). The game should now work correctly without the need for
a master code. This is not guaranteed to work with all games that need master
codes, but here is a list of games where this trick is known to work:
This works slightly differently when using the Game Genie function in an emulator as master codes are only required when the game is starting up, and as Game Genie codes are never active when you first load a game they are generally not required. The only time you will need master codes when using emulators is when you press the "reset" button, when you do this any codes being used will still be active and you will encounter a red screen if a master code is required. This can be fixed by either entering the master code (remember the five code limit does not generally apply to emulators), or switching off any active codes, and pressing "reset" again. |
Problem Games! |
Most games will work with the Game Genie without any problems, although
some games may not be compatible. Even if you encounter a problem game the
Game Genie will not harm your Genesis /Mega-Drive or your game with one important exception... The Game Genie is known to have particular problems with games that have a built in save game feature. You may not be able to start a new game or save your game when using Game Genie codes, also a few codes are known to corrupt or delete your save data which means you will lose any saves you already had. In a few very rare cases this may even prevent you from playing the game even after you have removed the Game Genie as the game will crash when you enter the save menu, it is usually possible to fix this problem using the Game Genie itself by looking in the codes for an "erase save data" code although you will again lose any saves you had. This does not generally apply to emulators, the save data may still be corrupted but you should be able to use the emulators own "save game" features to bypass the problem although this isn't guaranteed to work with every game. |