When Kazuhisa Hashimoto, a game developer for Konami, was porting his coin-op arcade game Gradius to the NES in 1985, he discovered what gamers had gone broke learning—it was incredibly hard. Unable to finish the game on his own, Hashimoto created a simple code to make his job easier: Enter Up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-b-a-Start to get a nearly full complement of power-ups you’d normally have to earn through gameplay.

The Konami Code went on to become the most famous cheat code in gaming, appearing in well over 100 titles—from Contra in 1987, where it provided 30 extra lives, to the reboot of NBA Jam in 2010, where it unlocked the Beastie Boys as playable characters. Perhaps not surprisingly, the code also made its way onto websites and mobile devices used by millions of people. Here are a few of the places where gaming’s ur-cheat has popped up. (Just substitute the Enter key for Start and you’re in business.)

AIM Express

The code launches a Tetris clone on your IM window. You can’t chat while playing, but really, how many of your friends are better than Tetris ?

The code launches a clone on your IM window. You can’t chat while playing, but really, how many of your friends are better than ? Marvel.com In 2010, the comics publisher rewarded code-punchers with a giant image of “Squirrelpool,” a katana-wielding mercenary rodent.

In 2010, the comics publisher rewarded code-punchers with a giant image of “Squirrelpool,” a katana-wielding mercenary rodent. ESPN.com Entering the code in April 2009 turned the site into a Lisa Frank fever dream—every mouseclick spawned rainbow-maned unicorns. Glitter party!

Entering the code in April 2009 turned the site into a Lisa Frank fever dream—every mouseclick spawned rainbow-maned unicorns. Glitter party! Newsweek.com Two years back, the code revealed shocking news: The zombie apocalypse was here! Good thing the site provided tips on surviving the undead hordes.

Two years back, the code revealed shocking news: The zombie apocalypse was here! Good thing the site provided tips on surviving the undead hordes. Google Docs The code rotates the page you’re working on 180 degrees. Your office joker sez, “Good luck composing that memo upside down and left to right!”

The code rotates the page you’re working on 180 degrees. Your office joker sez, “Good luck composing that memo upside down and left to right!” Wired.com

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