Bo

A mysterious Saturn disc recently appeared on an auction site. It was labeled "Pyramid," but what game is that? It turned out to be a prototype port of *Pyramid: Challenge of the Pharaoh's Dream* for PC. It's early - a tech demo with a few controls implemented. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

I found two previously unknown cheat codes for *Chicago Syndicate*, the *Eternal Champions* spinoff starring 1920s ex-gangster Larcen Tyler. On activates a totally new mode that lets you play as the boss characters! 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

There's a new Hidden Palace podcast episode! This one is an interview with Dr. Mark Eyles about: * Writing for the UK's Sonic the Comic * The early ZX-81 and ZX Spectrum gaming scene. * Designing games in the 1990s for Sega, Rebellion, and others. hiddenpalace.substack.com/p/hidden-pal...

Treasure founder Masato Maegawa once recalled putting a code that spells "baka" into *McDonald's Treasureland Adventure* after getting frustrating feedback. It's not in the final game, but I found it in *Dynamite Headdy*! 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Most of the cheat sites have bogus codes listed for *Scooby-Doo! Unmasked* (PS2, GameCube, Xbox). I took a look at the game data to find the real ones, and came up with a few surprises. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

The Game Gear version of Shaq Fu was made by a different developer, but it has the same cheat mode that’s in the Genesis and SNES versions. It stayed hidden for three decades, but now it’s finally come to light. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

The Japan-only Saturn port of Phantasmagoria, called Phantasm there, hides a movie viewer behind a cheat code — and the movies aren't what you'd expect! See what @bbayles.bsky.social found in today's Under the Microscope: www.segasaturnshiro.com/2026/10/19/u... #sega #saturn #segasaturn #セガ #セガサターン

Here's a new code for *Phantasm*, the Japanese Saturn port of *Phantasmagoria*: - Insert disc 7 - Press A C Z X B Y You'll get a new "Special movie" menu with a music video from heath, a making-of documentary, and a sizzle reel for race queen Fumika Suzuki. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

*Red Zone* for Sega Genesis has a hidden "backwaves" visual test tool. Enter the passcode "AAABCCCBBBC" to access it.

Player Discovers 'Nudity Code' Hidden in the Censored Sega Genesis Port of StormLord

Here's my first Super Nintendo cheat code discovery. It's for *Shaq Fu*: - Go to Options. - Change the Music test cursor to 4 and press A to play the track. - Enter L (x8), R (x3), B (x5). Now you can press Select+Y to win or Select+X to lose any match! 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

@timeextension.com you may enjoy... bsky.app/profile/did:...

The original artwork for the game *Stormlord* has nudity. It's somewhat tasteful, artistic nudity, but it was censored in the 1991 Genesis port from RazorSoft and Punk Development. ...or was it? I found a cheat code that restores the original, NSFW artwork: 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

The *Time Bokan Series* game for Saturn has a cheat code that enables its unlockable features. You won't find it on cheat sites or in magazine archives - it seems to have gone unnoticed these last 29 years. I found it hiding in the game data! 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Here's a long lost cheat code for the Genesis version of *Marble Madness*. At the title screen, press A, A, A, B, C, Start. This adds a level select item to the main menu.

I took a look at the Genesis version of *Shaq Fu* game and found a previously-unreported cheat code that lets you instantly win (or lose) matches. Enabling it involves altering sound options, entering a button sequence, and disconnecting one of the controllers. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

I took a look at the *Fear Effect* games for PlayStation and found: - A cool set of Easter eggs from the development team in the 1st game. - A batch of new cheat codes for the 2nd game, including a menu that can enable all four cheat effects in one place. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

In today's Under the Microscope, @bbayles.bsky.social finds a laundry list of new cheat codes hiding in the Saturn's tactical RPG Langrisser IV! Find out how to boost a character's MP, select any map & more: www.segasaturnshiro.com/2026/10/05/u... #sega #saturn #segasaturn #retrogaming #セガ #セガサターン

The better cheat sites list a handful of codes for *Langrisser IV*, the tactical RPG from Career Soft. But is their list complete? I decided to check the game data. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

*Instruments of Chaos*, the 1994 Genesis game starring Young Indiana Jones, is a single player game. So what is it doing listening for input from Controller 2? Looking for cheat codes, of course. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

I found the full set of cheats for NHL Rock the Rink for PlayStation. A few had been reported previously, but most of them have stayed hidden these last 26 years. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

The Japanese version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV gives cheat effects for using the name 主人公. But the Western version doesn't accept kanji, so how do you get that cheat effect in English? @bbayles.bsky.social figured it out: www.segasaturnshiro.com/2026/09/28/u... #sega #saturn #segasaturn

In the Japanese version of *Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV* for Saturn, you can get a stat boost by naming an officer "主人公". You can't put that string into the English version. But if you use first name "Fun4" and last name "Yu", you'll get the effect! 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Here's an unreported cheat code for *The Punisher* for Genesis. Pause, hold Up+L, and then press A+B+C. If you got it right, you'll get an extra life.

I regret to inform you that the cheat sites are at it again. They have a bogus code listed for *Herdy Gerdy* for PS2. It purports to activate a debug menu, but it actually doesn't work at all. I tracked down the real debug codes in the game data: 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Amazingly, *FIFA Soccer 96* for Genesis ships with function names in the binary. This makes reverse engineering much easier. I followed the breadcrumbs in its code to find all 50 of its cheat codes, most of which haven't been documented before. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

A text file on the disc of #Saturn strategy game Heir of Zendor alludes to a cheat code. Naturally, @bbayles.bsky.social figured out what it is! Find out how to access the debug menu in today's Under the Microscope: www.segasaturnshiro.com/2026/09/21/u... #sega #segasaturn #retrogaming #セガ #セガサターン

There’s a README file on the disc for Heir of Zendor (a.k.a. Gotha II) on Saturn that alludes to a cheat code. I found it! Plus the one for the Japan-exclusive PlayStation version. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Like its predecessor, Shadow of the Beast II is hard as nails. But unlike the first game, it doesn't have an unlimited life cheat. Or does it? I found new cheats for both the Genesis and Sega CD versions. Check out the reverse engineering details in the post! 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Browsing through the 1997 issues of Famitsu and found this photo of Sonic Canball at Shinjuku Joypolis, along with a bunch of butts. The only previously known location for this was Yokohama Joypolis. Sonic Canball, I mean. The butts are everywhere. everywhere

Here's an unreported passcode for *Marko* on Genesis! "C4679Y " will show the credits.

Here's a new cheat code for *Puyo Puyo Tsuu Ketteiban* (PSX): - Before the "Act Against AIDS* screen appears, hold Select+Square+L1. - Before it fades out, hold Up+L1+R1+Start. Now you can win matches instantly with Circle+L1 (or lose with X+L1). More here: 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

*Hurricanes*, the Sega Channel exclusive Genesis game has a previously unreported cheat code: go to Options and hold Right+A+C on Controller 2 until you hear a whistle. Now pressing B while the game is paused will clear the current stage.

Adventure game Blazing Dragons has had a secret minigame hidden away for three decades! @bbayles.bsky.social reveals the cheat code for Thumb Wrestling Mode in today's Under the Microscope: www.segasaturnshiro.com/2026/09/14/u... #sega #saturn #segasaturn #retrogaming #videogames #セガ #セガサターン

*Blazing Dragons* has a cheat code that's stayed secret for 30 years. At the copyright screen, enter: - Saturn: R, C, B, Y - PSX: R2, Circle, X, R1 This adds direct access to the Thumb Wrestling mini game to the Options menu. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Here's a seemingly-unreported code for *Lotus II* on Genesis. Change Player 1's name to "Roll Creds" and start to make the staff credits play.

The cheat sites have a "level select" code listed for the Genesis game The Simpsons: Bart's Nightmare. But it doesn't work! If you put it in, nothing happens. I took a look at the game data and came up with a code that does work, however! 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Happy Dreamcast day! I found a batch of new cheat codes for the DC launch title *TNN Motorsports Hardcore Heat*, a.k.a. *Buggy Heat*. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Today, @bbayles.bsky.social worked his magic to unravel a complex cheat code in Puyo Puyo Tsuu for the Sega Saturn! See how to activate the hidden Ending Test in Under the Microscope: www.segasaturnshiro.com/2026/09/07/u... #sega #saturn #segasaturn #retrogaming #retrogames #videogames #セガ #セガサターン

Here's a new Easter egg for *Puyo Puyo Tsuu* (Saturn): - Get a high score in 1 Player mode. - Put in "2RU" and end by holding Start+A+C+X+L. - Go to Options > Sound Test. Select Voice and press Start+A+C+Y+R. An ending clip plays! The voice ID changes which one. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

*Nigel Mansell's World Championship Racing* for Genesis has two passcodes that enable special effects: - "Z00LB4LL" - shows the credits. - "PH0T0 0P" - clean pause mode.

Here's a seemingly unreported cheat for *WWF Royal Rumble* on Genesis. Hold Up+Start+B when selecting a wrestler to allow him to be selected again by the other player.

Tired: Rad Mobile is the first appearance of Sonic the Hedgehog in a video game as a rear-view mirror ornament. Wired: The game also has a hidden Flicky ornament, hidden behind an input code.

Here's a new cheat code for a 32 year old game. In *Beavis & Butt-head* for Genesis, enter this passcode: "-Raptor-" This gives the duo glowing laser eyes (!) indicating invincibility. It also gives them max money ($6.40) and makes enemies fall with one shot 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

I looked into the game data for *Shellshock* (1996, PlayStation) and found a cheat code that activates a hidden "greets" screen, where the programmer put shoutouts to his friends from the Amiga demoscene. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

It may be the offseason for the NBA, but it's never the offseason for Under the Microscope, because Bo found a bunch of previously unknown cheat codes and passcodes in NBA Jam TE and NBA Jam Extreme! www.segasaturnshiro.com/2026/08/31/u... #sega #saturn #segasaturn #retrogaming #videogames #セガサターン

I found some things hiding in the Saturn *NBA Jam* games: * Tournament Edition: Two new cheat codes. * Extreme: Three new characters. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

SONIC WEEKLY podcast is back for another episode: * Sonic in Fortnite * Paying the Dreams Come True Premium * The Magic School Bus * Remembering King Acorn www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAjx...

Here's an as-yet unreported cheat for *Newman/Haas Indy Car featuring Nigel Mansell* for Genesis: enter "L1T1LD1V1L" as your passcode to see the ending sequence and credits.

I took a look at *The Magic School Bus* for Sega Genesis and found: (1) Every single passcode that it recognizes, and (2) A cheat code that activates a special menu that seems to have gone unnoticed since 1994. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

If you complete *Iron Soldier 3* for PlayStation on the highest difficulty level, the programmers give you a cheat code before the credits roll starts. They also ask "Can you find the other cheats?" Challenge accepted! I found 14 more. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...