# How do I enter cheat codes on PC games? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 22, 2005, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315 "2005-06-22T05:14:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/1 "2005-06-22T05:14:45Z")
Let me preface this by saying that I am a drooling submoronic knuckledragging halfwit. The answer to my question is apparently so obvious that game sites don’t even bother to explain; they just tell you what the cheat codes are, with maybe a couple of too technical (for me) pointers on entering them. Also, I failed to find the answer with Google. You have my permission to smirk, point and laugh, as long as you answer my question! And remember my level of idiocy–it has to be explained in steps any pre-linguistic child could follow. Thank you in advance to any who have information on this. ---
**Author:** ![Jet\_Jaguar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jet_jaguar/32/3562_2.png) [@Jet\_Jaguar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jet_Jaguar)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/2 "2005-06-22T05:19:32Z")
Depends on the game. Sometimes, you just type them in while you’re playing. Others may have secret popup windows where you enter the code. Still others may take them wherever you may normally enter text (putting in a cheat code in place of your character’s name may unlock some attribute, for example). ---
**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/3 "2005-06-22T05:37:12Z")
> [@Jet Jaguar](#): > > Depends on the game. Sometimes, you just type them in while you’re playing. Others may have secret popup windows where you enter the code. Still others may take them wherever you may normally enter text (putting in a cheat code in place of your character’s name may unlock some attribute, for example). I was afraid someone was going to say that. I don’t play games where you enter text as you go, so it would have to be a popup window or something I do before running the game. Is there a site that tells how to do it for each game, in a way that I can understand? (Are you smirking yet?) ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/4 "2005-06-22T05:45:26Z")
Well, unless the site says otherwise, you just type in the code as it appears. For example, in Contra (IIRC), you had to press the Nintendo controller D-pad and buttons in the right combination as the start screen appeared. If you heard a noise before the screen loaded, you did it right, else you did it wrong. Any guide would say this explicitly. With 99% of PC games though, you type in the code whenever you like. For example, in GTA Vice City, the code for 100% armour is ‘precious protection’. Now, if you type that in the radio station will change with each ‘r’ and so on, but you get the armour when you finish nevertheless. Give us an example game & code - I’m sure someone here has the game and has used the code before. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/5 "2005-06-22T05:45:45Z")
> [@Sophistry and Illusion](#): > > I was afraid someone was going to say that. I don’t play games where you enter text as you go, so it would have to be a popup window or something I do before running the game. Is there a site that tells how to do it for each game, in a way that I can understand? > > (Are you smirking yet?) Google on the name of the game, and browse the results. Keep an eye out for FAQ or cheats. Most sites that offer cheat codes will also tell you how to initiate it. For what it’s worth, I don’t believe in cheating until I’ve beaten the game for real. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/6 "2005-06-22T05:58:13Z")
Moved to CS. - **xash** General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Stark\_Raven\_Mad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Stark\_Raven\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stark_Raven_Mad)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/7 "2005-06-22T06:04:15Z")
What game is this? If you don’t understand the instructions, we could probably help translate the jargon out of it. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/8 "2005-06-22T06:11:20Z")
Also, check [gamefaqs.com](http://gamefaqs.com). Their walkthroughs generally give very detailed directions for practically everything. ---
**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/9 "2005-06-22T06:54:14Z")
> [@Stark Raven Mad](#): > > What game is this? If you don’t understand the instructions, we could probably help translate the jargon out of it. Well, it’s Halo: Combat Evolved. All the cheats I find specify that they are only for the custom edition. My copy doesn’t say “Custom Edition;” maybe that’s why it doesn’t work. Anyhow, the websites say select Properties from the shortcut, enter " -console -devmode" at the end of the target line, and go from there. But Windows won’t let me click “OK” after I enter that at the end of the target line; it says that it is not a valid path or whatever. > [@This Year's Model](#): > > For what it’s worth, I don’t believe in cheating until I’ve beaten the game for real. I guess I agree. I have never used cheat codes before. But I have found that I don’t always enjoy encountering badguys, because they kill me and I use up all my ammo. Since part of the fun is killing lots of badguys, I feel like I’m missing out! ---
**Author:** ![velvetgrass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/47e85d/32.png) [@velvetgrass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velvetgrass)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/10 "2005-06-22T06:58:54Z")
> [@Sophistry and Illusion](#): > > Let me preface this by saying that I am a drooling submoronic knuckledragging halfwit. The answer to my question is apparently so obvious that game sites don’t even bother to explain; they just tell you what the cheat codes are, with maybe a couple of too technical (for me) pointers on entering them. Also, I failed to find the answer with Google. You have my permission to smirk, point and laugh, as long as you answer my question! And remember my level of idiocy–it has to be explained in steps any pre-linguistic child could follow. Thank you in advance to any who have information on this. most of the time you press the tilda key (~) and a console comes up, try typing the codes in from there ---
**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/11 "2005-06-22T08:00:26Z")
> [@velvetgrass](#): > > most of the time you press the tilda key (~) and a console comes up, try typing the codes in from there Tragically, that didn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/12 "2005-06-22T08:07:53Z")
Are you sure you’re entering the “-console -devmode” stuff right? It should be at the very end of the Target field, past anything already there. Don’t add any quotes and don’t put them inside the existing quotes. The entire line should look something like: “your\path o\halo.exe” -console -devmode Then try the Tilde. ---
**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/13 "2005-06-22T08:19:43Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > Are you sure you’re entering the “-console -devmode” stuff right? It should be at the very end of the Target field, past anything already there. Don’t add any quotes and don’t put them inside the existing quotes. The entire line should look something like: > > “your\path o\halo.exe” -console -devmode > > Then try the Tilde. Doh! I was putting it inside the quotes. Just to refresh your memory: > [@Sophistry and Illusion](#): > > Let me preface this by saying that I am a drooling submoronic knuckledragging halfwit. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/14 "2005-06-22T08:29:55Z")
Hey, I’ve been gaming for a decade and I **still** can’t remember where the quotes go. I have to experiment every single time I use them (including this time). They’re totally counter-intuitive 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/15 "2005-06-22T08:31:27Z")
Oh, and so… did it work? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/16 "2005-06-22T08:33:06Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > Hey, I’ve been gaming for a decade and I **still** can’t remember where the quotes go. I have to experiment every single time I use them (including this time). They’re totally counter-intuitive 😃 Well, it worked. Thanks! But I haven’t entered any codes yet, because lo I was mildly chastised by **This Year’s Model**. :o ---
**Author:** ![BraheSilver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@BraheSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BraheSilver)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/17 "2005-06-22T08:59:41Z")
GameFaqs usually has very detailed directions for entering codes. If it isn’t obvious on the “Cheats” section for the particular game, check out the biggest FAQ on the game - usually the writer will stick in a section on how to enter them. ---
**Author:** ![BraheSilver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@BraheSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BraheSilver)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/18 "2005-06-22T09:08:04Z")
How did I skip **sturmhauke** ’s reply yet use almost the exact same phrasing? Get out of my mind! ---
**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/19 "2005-06-22T09:36:20Z")
Well, it didn’t work all the way. I did what Reply said, hit tilda, got the console, entered a cheat (hey! I had run out of ammo! What was I supposed to do?), and it said “such-and-such cannot be executed at this time,” or something like that. Maybe I’m a hopeless case. I did it just like I was supposed to, with the correct spaces and everything. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315/20 "2005-06-22T09:41:25Z")
> [@velvetgrass](#): > > most of the time you press the tilda key (~) and a console comes up, try typing the codes in from there Not only do I like that word but I love the shape of the symbol. Tilllllllllllllda, my new word for the day. Tillllllllllllllllllllllda 🆒 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-enter-cheat-codes-on-pc-games/309315.md?page=2)