The best video game cheats/hints/passwords/codes/tricks of all time!

[retrorussell]

One I found really helpful:
RYGAR (NES)

Here you need a turbo controller.
Stand near a bottomless pit.  Hold A and B on turbo setting.  Your guy will flicker as he's rapidly flinging his weapon and trying to jump at the same time.  Now walk off the cliff.  You'll very slowly float down through the bottom of the screen and reappear at the top!  You can easily get around certain areas with this cheat, or get stuck in certain glitched areas.  Just don't let enemies hit you on the way down during the trick, or let go of the turbo buttons, or you'll die.

[Trevor]

The only one that I've ever found on my own was while playing Plants vs Zombies: I was playing with the keys on my PC and all of a sudden, the zombies grew mustaches. 

I must have typed in mustache and there you go.

[retrorussell]

Yep, that's exactly what you do: type in mustache or moustache.

Another trick:
This is on the great Bases Loaded for the NES:
I pick the best offensive club, Jersey.  I then pick I believe Rose.  I pitch the same each time: press the button to wind up, then as his leg is up, press down/right.  Strike every time!  You have to change to another pitcher that has the same exact stance on the mound at 5 2/3 innings, and to another for the 9th.  But a no-hitter is guaranteed!
Also, an easy way to steal home from 3rd: Steal during a pitch.  If it's a strike/ball move back to 3rd after the umpire makes the call and IMMEDIATELY as the catcher throws it to 3rd, run to home.  You should run past the catcher and get the score.

[El Misfit]

Fun with CHeats:

From GTA San Andreas

Spawn a goddamn tank!
PS2: Circle, Circle, L1, Circle, Circle, Circle, L1, L2, R1, Triangle, Circle, Triangle
PC: aiwprton

Flying cars:
PS2: Square, Down, L2, Up, L1, Circle, Up, X, Left, Up, Down, L1, R1, L1, Right, Left, L1, Left
PC: ripazha / chittychittybangbang

Cars drive on water:
PS2: Right, R2, Circle, R1, L2, Square, R1, R2


From GTA Vice City:

Spawn a goddamn tank!
PS2: Circle, Circle, L1, Circle, Circle, Circle, L1, L2, R1, Triangle, Circle, Triangle

From GTA III:

Spawn a goddamn tank!
PS2: Circle, Circle, L1, Circle, Circle, Circle, L1, L2, R1, Triangle, Circle, Triangle


GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas had the same code. 

[The Burgomaster]

This isn't really a cheat and it isn't very clever, but I remember it well.  Years ago, I had an early version of Madden Football (I think it may have been for a Nintendo system around the mid 1990s).  There was one play that would gain a lot of yardage almost every time you used it.  I believe it was a screen pass to a wide receiver.  It seemed like there was hardly ever a defender in the area and the receiver would catch the pass and run 40 or 50 yards before being tackled.  When I discovered this, it was fun for awhile because I'd keep scoring.  Every once in awhile (probably less than 10% of the time) the guy would drop the pass or only get a 3 or 4 yard gain out of it.  After awhile, I set a house rule that it was illegal to use that play more than once in each half of the game.

 

[ulthar]

This isn't really a cheat and it isn't very clever, but I remember it well.  Years ago, I had an early version of Madden Football (I think it may have been for a Nintendo system around the mid 1990s).  There was one play that would gain a lot of yardage almost every time you used it.  I believe it was a screen pass to a wide receiver.  It seemed like there was hardly ever a defender in the area and the receiver would catch the pass and run 40 or 50 yards before being tackled.  When I discovered this, it was fun for awhile because I'd keep scoring.  Every once in awhile (probably less than 10% of the time) the guy would drop the pass or only get a 3 or 4 yard gain out of it.  After awhile, I set a house rule that it was illegal to use that play more than once in each half of the game.

 

Seems like I remember something similar from the old Atari 2600 football, but it would have been early-mid 1980's, not 90's.  There was one play that "just worked," even with the defenders set to be able to outrun the offense.

[retrorussell]

I had the first few Maddens for the Genesis.  With a turbo controller and pressing down you can kick the ball and miraculously recieve an onside kick!  Cheaters DO prosper!

Not a trick, but you had to love the killer ambulances from '92.  The local hospital must be really hard up for patients.

Another trick: Kid Niki for the NES.. fairly unremarkable, unless you look for the secret levels!  Got a video for all the areas and how to find them.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSYg67fUpFo" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSYg67fUpFo</a>

[retrorussell]

I can't have this thread without the Konami code!
Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A and Start.

On 2-player simultaneous games you can perform the code and press Select just before Start to give BOTH players the code benefits.

[Pacman000]

I found this useful:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tOyBahKkbk" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tOyBahKkbk</a>

[dean]

In terms of glitches that my brother and I found growing up, especially with sports games:

Gameboy tennis: If you're serving, toss the ball up and deliberately miss the ball, then walk under it, making it hit you in the head.  It will award you the point.

One of the early fifa games on PS2: if you're on the wing and cross it into the box and do a scissor kick it will ALWAYS go in.


We had to ban each other from doing those plays when we played against each other otherwise physical violence will no doubt ensue.

[retrorussell]

The "Turtle 1up trick" in Super Mario Bros. is a great way to increase lives.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUx66ZEDjnQ" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUx66ZEDjnQ</a>