The Konami Code (also known as the Konami Command and the Contra Code) is a cheat code that can be used in many Konami video games, usually enabling some sort of secret option. The code was first used in the 1986 release of Gradius for the Nintendo Entertainment System. During the game, the player presses the following sequence of buttons on the game controller:

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start

This is the original version of the code, designed for the NES controller. The exact sequence varies from game to game, and has been adapted to fit the button layouts of different video game consoles. Still, the original Konami Code endures as one of the most widely-known cheat codes in the gaming community.

History

The Konami Code first appeared in the home port of the 1985 arcade game Gradius, a scrolling shooter released on the Famicom and Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986. Entering the code on the pause screen gives the player a full set of powerups, which are normally attained gradually throughout the game. The code has continued to be present in Gradius sequels and spin-offs, including Gradius III, which actually destroys the player's ship upon entering the original code.

Arguably the best-known example of the Konami Code is in the 1988 Famicom/NES version of Contra, where using the code increases the player's lives from 3 to 30. Due to the game's intense difficulty, many Contra players became reliant on the code to finish the game, earning it the title, "The Contra Code".

The popularity of Gradius and Contra has closely associated the Konami Code with the gaming era of the 1980s, and some "old-school" gamers even consider it a badge of pride to be able to recite the code from memory. The code, however, has appeared in several newer PlayStation 2 games, including Silent Hill 3 and Metal Gear Solid 2. It even shows up in Konami's Bemani line of music games, such as Dance Dance Revolution and DrumMania.

Specific uses in games

Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (GBA)

Entering the code on the title screen animation recolors the title screen. The player may then play Boss Rush with the original Belmont character, music, and animation from the first Castlevania. While significantly harder due to the limited movement, the player can do more damage.

Contra (Famicom/NES)

One of the first, and the most famous uses of the code. Entering at the start screen gives the player 30 lives, making the game much easier to finish. Players also altered the code in this game a little by adding SELECT to the code (making it: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Select, Start). Players did this because pressing SELECT would move the cursor down to the 2 players option. Alternately, SELECT could be used to move it to the 2 Players option, and the code imputted as normal.

(PlayStation 2)

This newer installment of Contra features a unique way of inputting the code. At the title screen, pressing Up, Up, Down, Down, L1, R1, L2, R2, L3, R3 on the second controller gives the player 30 lives upon starting the game.

Dance Dance Revolution 2ndMIX (Arcade, PlayStation)

The Single steps on Basic difficulty for the song "Make A Jam!" include the directional portion of the code (i.e. without B, A, Select or Start) five times throughout the song. A faint chime is heard in the music after each such pattern.

Dance Dance Revolution EXTREME (Japanese version; Arcade, PlayStation 2)

In the song "Twinbee ~Generation X~", the Single steps on Standard difficulty include the directions of the Konami code.

The song is based on a Konami game with the same title, Twinbee.

Dance Dance Revolution ULTRAMIX (Xbox)

If a controller (a handheld, not a dance pad) is plugged in to the 4P (furthest to the right) controller port, and the code is entered during the credits, all of the game's hidden songs will be instantly unlocked.

DrumMania (Arcade)

On the first "mix" of this game, the drum pads and bass pedals are used to activate the Expert Real difficulty level.

Gradius (Famicom/NES)

Pausing the game and then entering the code activates all powerups except for Speed Up.

Gradius II (Famicom/NES)

Entering the code at the title screen starts the player with thirty lives.

Gradius III (Super Famicom/SNES)

Normally entering the code while paused activates all powerups, but the player is instantly destroyed upon unpausing. However, if the player enters the code and substitutes the L and R buttons for Left and Right, the powerups are applied without penalty.

Gradius V (PlayStation 2)

This version uses yet another variation of the code: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, L1, R1. Entering the code while paused gives full powerups, including the Laser weapon. Using L2 and R2 for the final two buttons gives the Double Shot instead.

(Game Boy Advance)

In the classic arcade game collection Konami Collector's Series: Arcade Advanced, when the Konami Code is entered on any main menu of a game, you unlock a version of the game with enchanced graphics and/or additional features or extra lives.

Salamander/Life Force (Famicom/NES)

Entering the code at the start screen gives the player 30 lives.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (PlayStation 2)

After finishing the game, when the clear code is presented on-screen, pressing Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Circle and X will cause Snake to shout, confirming the code. It does not affect gameplay, however.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance (PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC)

In the Missions mode, entering "UUDDLRLRBA" as the player username will unlock all characters (Ninja Raiden, Pliskin, etc.).

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PlayStation 2)

Pressing Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Square and Triangle when the Konami logo first appears will cause it to flash, confirming the code. This will change the names in the game's opening title sequence to display the "Opening Title Staff" - the names of the people who created the title sequence.

Silent Hill 3 (PlayStation 2)

Entering the code in the title screen causes a supporting character to appear in his underwear in each cutscene.

(Famicom/NES)

Entering the code at the title screen with the A and B buttons reversed gives acces to a stage select mode.

In the Japanese version, released on the Famicom, the game will simply give you a message from Konami. In order for the code to work properly, the functions of each button must be reversed (Down, Down, Up, Up, Right, Left, Right, Left, B, A).

Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner (PlayStation 2)

While fighting the Vic Viper boss in Extra Missions Mode, entering the code with L1 and R1 instead of A and B activates the Zoradius mini-game. Entering the same code again in Zoradius while paused gives the player full powerups.

Appearances in non-Konami games

• Nintendo's Wario Ware, Inc. Mega Microgame$ and Wario Ware, Inc. Mega Party Game$ both include a microgame in which the player must enter a sequence of directional and button commands as listed on the screen. Quite frequently, the sequence is Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right.

• Tom and Jerry for the classic NES also supports the code. When the code is entered (followed by Select) at the title screen, one can play the game with an infinite nine lives.

• PopCap and Flying Bear 's Insaniquarium allows the player to type the code on the main screen to enter the Sandbox Mode, in which many game elements can be placed by hitting keys on the keyboard.

• Gish uses Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, "A", Space, entered on the "Chronic Logic presents" screen to unlock the game's turbo mode.

• In the Homestar Runner game Trogdor, if the code is entered on the title screen Trogdor will start the game with 30 lives.

• In Kingdom of Loathing the code must be entered as part of solving the primary quest.

• In Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 for the Game Boy Advance, the code can be entered at the main menu while holding R to unlock Spider-Man.