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Sega’s arcade games were a major part of the golden age of arcade gaming, and many of their titles became cultural icons that are still celebrated today. One aspect of these classic games that many players remember fondly is the cheats and secrets that could be discovered, often through hidden codes or special in-game tricks. These cheats could offer players an advantage, enhance their experience, or even unlock new content. In this article, we’ll dive into some of the most famous cheats from Sega’s classic arcade games.
1. Altered Beast: The Resurrection Cheat
One of the most iconic Sega arcade games, Altered Beast (1988), was known for its outlandish transformations and unique gameplay. In this beat ‘em up, players control a hero who is resurrected from the dead and transforms into powerful creatures after defeating bosses. One cheat code that became famous was the Resurrection Cheat. By pressing a combination of buttons (usually pressing Up, Down, Left, Right, and a button simultaneously), players could resurrect their character immediately, giving them a fresh start after a death. This cheat helped alleviate the frustration of a long, tough game and allowed players to progress without losing their momentum.
2. OutRun: Unlocking the Special Cars
OutRun (1986), one of Sega’s most popular arcade racing games, let players cruise along a series of beautiful landscapes, choosing different routes to the finish line. While the core game was focused on high-speed racing, a cheat allowed players to access special cars right from the start. By holding certain button combinations, such as pressing the “Start” button while selecting your car, players could unlock additional vehicle choices with enhanced performance or visual flair. These cheats added replay value to the game, as players could explore new ways to experience the racing action.
3. Shinobi: Extra Lives and Power-Up Cheats
Sega’s Shinobi (1987) was a fast-paced side-scrolling action game where players took on the role of a ninja, battling through waves of enemies. A particularly useful cheat involved obtaining extra lives and power-ups to help navigate the game’s challenging levels. By inputting a cheat code at the title screen—such as pressing Down, Up, Left, Right, and a combination of buttons—players could unlock extra lives, giving them more chances to defeat enemies and progress further. The ability to replenish power-ups with cheats allowed players to enjoy the action-packed gameplay without the constant threat of running out of resources.
4. Golden Axe: Infinite Continues
One of Sega’s most beloved arcade games, Golden Axe (1989), is a side-scrolling beat ’em up where players control heroes battling an evil sorcerer to rescue a princess. The game was challenging, and it could be frustrating to make progress with limited continues. A cheat that became widely known allowed players to activate infinite continues. This cheat was typically accessed by pressing a sequence of buttons on the title screen or during the start of gameplay. Infinite continues gave players the freedom to explore Golden Axe’s exciting world without worrying about running out of lives, making it easier to finish the game’s challenging stages.
5. Space Harrier: Super Speed and Invincibility
In Space Harrier (1985), players control a character who flies through colorful, 3D environments while shooting enemies and avoiding obstacles. The game was notable for its fast-paced gameplay and innovative use of 3D graphics, which was groundbreaking for its time. A cheat code that gave players invincibility was particularly popular. By entering a secret sequence of button inputs, players could become invulnerable to enemy attacks, allowing them to fly through levels at super speed without fear of losing health. This cheat was a favorite among players who wanted to explore the game’s wild landscapes and futuristic battles without interruption.
6. Virtua Fighter: Unlocking Hidden Characters
Sega’s Virtua Fighter (1993) was a groundbreaking 3D fighting game that helped define the genre, introducing players to virtual martial arts combat. One of the game’s most famous cheats involved unlocking hidden characters, who could not be selected through normal gameplay. By completing specific actions, such as defeating the final boss or inputting a button sequence during the character selection screen, players could unlock additional fighters with unique abilities. These hidden characters provided an extra layer of depth to the game and kept players coming back to experiment with different fighting styles.
7. Echo the Dolphin: Infinite Health Cheat
Ecco the Dolphin (1992) was a unique platformer and adventure game where players controlled Ecco, a dolphin on a mission to save his friends and the oceans from a mysterious force. The game’s underwater environments and puzzle-solving mechanics made it stand out, but its difficulty also led many players to search for cheats. One of the most popular cheats involved infinite health. This cheat could be activated by entering a sequence of buttons or entering a special code in the game’s options menu. Infinite health allowed players to explore the game’s vast, aquatic world without the constant worry of dying from the game’s perilous dangers.
8. ToeJam & Earl: Warp to the Next Level
ToeJam & Earl (1991) is an eccentric and humorous arcade game where players control two alien characters, ToeJam and Earl, as they try to recover the parts of their spaceship. The game’s procedurally generated levels and random events made each playthrough unique. However, a popular cheat code allowed players to skip ahead to the next level by simply pressing a series of buttons. This warp cheat could be activated during gameplay, allowing players to bypass the often-tedious process of leveling up and jump directly to more advanced levels, where new challenges and more powerful enemies awaited.
9. Sonic the Hedgehog: Debug Mode
Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) is perhaps one of Sega’s most iconic titles, introducing the world to the blue blur himself. While the game was known for its speed and challenging platforming, a debug mode cheat allowed players to access the game’s debug tools, which let them manipulate the game’s environment. By entering a specific cheat code, players could activate the debug mode, allowing them to place objects, walk through walls, and even access areas that were normally hidden. This cheat gave players unprecedented control over the game, offering a fun and creative way to experience the levels in a whole new light.
10. Street Fighter II: Unlocking Akuma
While Street Fighter II is not a Sega-exclusive game, it was one of the most iconic fighting games ever to grace the arcade scene and was often found on Sega’s arcade systems. One of the most famous cheats in Street Fighter II involved unlocking the secret character Akuma. Akuma, a powerful and mysterious fighter, could be unlocked by completing specific in-game requirements, such as defeating a certain number of opponents in a particular way or performing a hidden button combination during the game’s introduction. Akuma’s inclusion in Street Fighter II added a level of excitement and challenge, as he was one of the strongest characters in the game.
Conclusion: The Lasting Appeal of Arcade Cheats
Cheats in classic Sega arcade games were not just about bypassing the game’s difficulty—they added a layer of fun, exploration, and excitement that allowed players to discover hidden secrets, enhance their gaming experience, or simply enjoy the games in new ways. These cheats, many of which became legendary over the years, have cemented their place in gaming history. As emulators and retro gaming consoles keep these classics alive, players can continue to relive the magic of arcade cheats and explore the Sega games that defined an entire generation.