Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The origin of the Konami code, as told by its inventor]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/the-origin-of-the-konami-code-as-told-by-its-inventor/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/the-origin-of-the-konami-code-as-told-by-its-inventor/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/16/the-origin-of-the-konami-code-as-told-by-its-inventor/#comments The legendary Konami code came about because Gradius was too hard for one of the guys making it. Katsuhisa Hashimoto was on the team of four responsible for the NES port of Gradius, and he recalled adding the code in a 2003 interview just translated by GlitterBerri. "I had one guy under me, and he played through the coin-op version," Hashimoto said. "That one's really tough. I hadn't played that much and obviously couldn't beat it myself, so I put in the Konami Code."

The code uses its familiar, now-iconic pattern for ... convenience. "Because I was the one who was going to be using it," Hashimoto said, "I made sure it was easy to remember. The game took around half a year to develop, and, at the time, putting the code together was like an entertaining puzzle. 'How on earth am I going to be able to fit these passwords into the program?' I'd ask myself." The solution to that puzzle may have led to your successful completion of Gradius, Contra, or countless other Konami games.

[Image: DefunctGames]

JoystiqThe origin of the Konami code, as told by its inventor originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gradiuskatsuhisa-hashimotokonamikonami-codenintendowiiMon, 16 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NES controller flash drive is Konami Code-protected]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/nes-controller-flash-drive-is-konami-code-protected/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/nes-controller-flash-drive-is-konami-code-protected/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/nes-controller-flash-drive-is-konami-code-protected/#comments Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Start. It's a powerful string of commands capable of garnering its invoker thirty lives, a gaggle of power-ups or other potent in-game bonuses. However, a technomancer from ProtoDojo.com has figured out a way to give the Konami Code practical applications in real life -- it can now be used to unlock one gigabyte of LOLCat JPEGs, German techno covers of Billy Ocean songs or, well, smut.

This little slice of realized magic is possible due to a 1GB flash drive embedded into a hollowed-out NES controller. Entering the Konami Code into the controller unlocks it, allowing you to browse its contents on your compy. To see how this technological feat was made possible, watch the video after the jump. After that, start pondering what this guy could put into a Power Glove. Perhaps -- dare we say it -- a two gigabyte flash drive?

[Via The Tanooki]

Continue reading NES controller flash drive is Konami Code-protected

JoystiqNES controller flash drive is Konami Code-protected originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flash-drivehackkonami-codememorymodnesstorageThu, 15 Oct 2009 03:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Konami Code works in Palm Pre's OS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/the-konami-code-works-in-palm-pres-os/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/the-konami-code-works-in-palm-pres-os/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/the-konami-code-works-in-palm-pres-os/#commentsSome curious Palm Pre owners have discovered a "secret" option on their new phones to unlock "developer mode." This mode, according to Engadget, is used to connect the phone to a computer running the software development kit for the phone's webOS system. That's great, but you might be asking why Joystiq would report on cell phone hacks.

Developer mode is accessed by typing "upupdowndownleftrightleftrightbastart" at the phone's launcher screen. That's right, the Konami Code. The same code used to cheat your way through Life Force works on your phone. It joins a growing list of non-Konami-game things to reference the code, bringing new life (thirty of them!) to a button sequence first used in 1986.

[Via Engadget]

JoystiqThe Konami Code works in Palm Pre's OS originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>konami-codepalm-preWed, 10 Jun 2009 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Konami Code Easter eggs dug up across the web]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/09/konami-code-easter-eggs-dug-up-across-the-web/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/09/konami-code-easter-eggs-dug-up-across-the-web/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/09/konami-code-easter-eggs-dug-up-across-the-web/#comments
Remember the short-lived Unicornification of ESPN.com which could be viewed by entering in the Konami Code? Turns out that's not the only site that can be modified by entering in everyone's favorite sequence of keystrokes. Check out the extremely aptly named KonamiCodeSites.com to see a list of pages that respond in various ways to the familiar tune of Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start (or Enter).

For instance, Facebook adds a lens flare effect once the code is entered. AdventureQuest Worlds shows a short flash clip featuring ... unicorns! (We're beginning to see a pattern here.) The best we've seen? The official site of jQuery, a JavaScript library program, loads up a Java-based Guitar Hero game when you input the code. Oh, and Joystiq? Every time you enter the code here, an angel gets its wings.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

JoystiqKonami Code Easter eggs dug up across the web originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 May 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurequest-worldseaster-eggfacebookjquerykonami-codesecretunicornSat, 09 May 2009 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Konami Code turns ESPN.com into a Lisa Frank wonderland [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/27/konami-code-turns-espn-com-into-a-lisa-frank-wonderland/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/27/konami-code-turns-espn-com-into-a-lisa-frank-wonderland/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/27/konami-code-turns-espn-com-into-a-lisa-frank-wonderland/#comments
Update: ESPN got wise, and removed the mysterious Unicornification ability reported below. It was fun while it lasted!

You need to stop what you're doing right now, and go to ESPN's Web site, because something magical is going on, and we don't know how long it will last. Once the front page loads, enter in the Konami Code (which we shouldn't have to tell you by now, but just in case -- Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A). Then start pressing Enter on your keyboard. Something will happen that isn't even remotely sports related. Is it an Easter egg? A well-executed hack? A hilarious practical joke from a disgruntled ESPN web programmer? We don't know, but we offer an enthusiastic Kudos to whoever pulled this one off.

[Via FourZeroTwo's Twitter]

JoystiqKonami Code turns ESPN.com into a Lisa Frank wonderland [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>easter-eggespnhackkonami-codelisa-frankpractical-jokeunicornsMon, 27 Apr 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Cheated]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/05/wii-warm-up-cheated/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/05/wii-warm-up-cheated/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/05/wii-warm-up-cheated/#commentsFiled under:

The latest It's-a Mario World put us in the mood for some discussions of retro-style game secrets. Let's go old-school and share some old cheat codes! What are your favorites? And by "favorites" we mean "codes you can recite from memory." And not just the Konami code, either!

For some reason, though a whole childhood was spent meticulously copying codes out of magazines for schoolyard friends (oh, wow, that was totally piracy!) as soon as this topic came to mind, we thought of the Ikari Warriors II continue code. Yes, we did play way too much Ikari Warriors II in our youth. Really, any Ikari Warriors II is too much, but we retain an irrational affection for that ugly thing.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Cheated originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheat-codesikari-warriors-iikonami-codeMon, 05 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Konami Code works in Google Reader]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/konami-code-works-in-google-reader/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/konami-code-works-in-google-reader/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/11/konami-code-works-in-google-reader/#commentsFiled under: ,


We make up a pretty high percentage of the "news" you read here on Joystiq, and this is going to sound like a continuation of that proud tradition, we're sure. But we promise you, we're not making this up: The Konami Code totally works in Google Reader. Seriously.

Just enter Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, on your keyboard (there's no start button) and your unread items will be reset to 30 and the above ninja will appear to watch you as you cruise RSS feeds. Yeah, it's pointless, but the world is a little bit cooler because of it.

[Via BoingBoing, thanks Neebs]

JoystiqKonami Code works in Google Reader originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googlekonamikonami-codeWed, 11 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Abortions and cheat codes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/abortions-and-cheat-codes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/abortions-and-cheat-codes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/abortions-and-cheat-codes/#commentsFiled under:

Have you kids seen Juno, the latest film from director Jason Reitman (Thank You For Smoking)? It's a coming-of-age tale about an eccentric 16-year-old managing her unexpected pregnancy, and, in spite of its Dawson's Creek-esque dialogue and unrealistic plot, it's also a pretty good film, in our opinion.

Considering the ubiquity of the Nintendo DS, it didn't surprise us to see the handheld make a cameo in the movie, but the particular setting in which the DS appeared was a surprise -- an abortion clinic. A teenage receptionist taps away on her portable while handing medical forms to the titular character, right before offering her a complimentary boysenberry-flavored condom. "My boyfriend wears them every time we have intercourse," she praises. "It makes his junk smell like pie."

What could she have been playing on her DS, greeting and offering condoms to people all day while the women who've come in to get their "problems" fixed sit anxiously in the waiting room? Probably not Imagine Babyz!

That's not the only time video games come up in Juno, either! Halfway through "Anyone Else But You," a song by The Moldy Peaches that plays several times during the film, one of the singers croons out the famous Konami code. How awesome is that? There's also a shortened version sung by Juno's stars, Michael Cera and Ellen Page, on the official soundtrack; it's totally wizard. You can hear the original track and watch a trailer for Juno right after the break.

Continue reading Abortions and cheat codes

JoystiqAbortions and cheat codes originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abortionanyone-else-but-youfilmjunokonami-codemoldy-peachesmusicsongFri, 28 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese Contra 4 tones down boxart, numbers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/japanese-contra-4-tones-down-boxart-numbers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/japanese-contra-4-tones-down-boxart-numbers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/japanese-contra-4-tones-down-boxart-numbers/#commentsFiled under:

Perhaps to distract Japanese gamers from Contra 4's western origins, Konami has replaced the game's cover with art more fitting to the country's sensibilities. Manga-fied and emasculated, our two heroes are mere shadows of the beefy commandos seen on the North American box, the manliest art we've come across since Haggar piledrived a shark.

Lance Bean, the former badass on the right, was once pictured hefting up a rocket launcher, sneering at enemy troops while taking aim at their crotches. Now he is shown staying his rifle, a contemplative -- some would even say mournful -- expression on his face.

We've heard rumors of other wussifying changes to the actual game, but we've yet to confirm them:
  • Virt's synth-metal soundtrack has been switched out with Air Supply's "All Out of Love" on infinite repeat
  • Tapping in the Konami code halves your manhood and causes nearly all of your facial hair to instantly fall off, leaving behind a pencil moustache
  • The final boss battle has been replaced with a cutscene in which you shake hands with the alien villain and agree to disagree
One alteration that we are sure of is that Contra 4's title in Japan will be Contra: Dual Spirits, keeping in line with Contra 3's Japanese title, Contra Spirits. Konami plans to ship the run'n gun game to stores in Japan this March 13th. You can see the US cover and a somewhat bigger version of the Japanese packaging art past the break.

Continue reading Japanese Contra 4 tones down boxart, numbers

JoystiqJapanese Contra 4 tones down boxart, numbers originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boxartcontracontra-4dual-spiritsjapankonamikonami-codeofficial-sitewayforwardThu, 27 Dec 2007 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Contra 4's 99-extra-lives cheat doesn't come easy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/contra-4s-99-extra-lives-cheat-doesnt-come-easy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/contra-4s-99-extra-lives-cheat-doesnt-come-easy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/contra-4s-99-extra-lives-cheat-doesnt-come-easy/#commentsFiled under: ,

Has Contra 4's grueling difficulty kept you from even seeing its second stage? The Konami code, while useful, only upgrades your weapons instead of rewarding you with the extra mans you need to die-n-gun your way past enemies and their scattered shots.

During the throes of one of his many deaths, GameFAQs poster Empty2002120141 stumbled upon a neat, albeit elaborate, trick for getting 99 free lives in Contra 4. First, you'll need to make sure you currently have zero lives. Next, you have to die at either the exact moment or right after you kill something that pushes your score up high enough to get an extra life. Those who've pulled off the trick suggest trying it with the first level's mini-boss. This should work across all three difficulty modes!

We're not sure if WayForward programmed this as an intentional cheat or if it's actually a game glitch, but it sure sounds helpful (if you can actually execute the maneuver).

[Via GameFAQs]

JoystiqContra 4's 99-extra-lives cheat doesn't come easy originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1up99-livescheatcontracontra-4konamikonami-coderun-and-gunwayforwardThu, 22 Nov 2007 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Band's name gives them 30 lives]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/13/bands-name-gives-them-30-lives/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/13/bands-name-gives-them-30-lives/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/13/bands-name-gives-them-30-lives/#commentsFiled under:

We don't know what exactly possessed Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start to name themselves after Konami's famous code, but we're sure that it helps people remember their band name. It also helps bloggers looking for any excuse to write about Contra.

We expected their music to be mostly chiptunes and 8-bit homages -- or, given the manliness of the Contra series and the Contra 4 website, something in the same vein as Team America's "America, F*** Yeah" (NSFW) -- but their songs lean more towards indie rock. There's a stack of downloadable MP3s available for you to sample at the band's site, and they're actually quite listenable!

We've pasted a music video from one of UUDDLRLRBAS's tracks off their Worst Band Name Ever album past the post break for you. While the song won't make beating Contra/Gradius/Jackal any easier, it's not bad!

Continue reading Band's name gives them 30 lives

JoystiqBand's name gives them 30 lives originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contraindie-rockkonamikonami-codemp3musicTue, 13 Nov 2007 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Konami codes and secret messages in Jam Sessions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/13/konami-codes-and-secret-messages-in-jam-sessions/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/13/konami-codes-and-secret-messages-in-jam-sessions/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/13/konami-codes-and-secret-messages-in-jam-sessions/#comments

If you're one of those completists who felt Best Buy's blue fist closing around your wallet when Ubisoft announced exclusive songs for people who purchased Jam Sessions through the electronics retail giant, allay your fears!

It turns out that all you need to do to unlock the three bonus songs is enter a shortened version of the Konami code while in Free mode: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, and Right. Those of you who've set the game up with left-handed controls should be able to enter the sequence with the ABXY buttons: X, X, B, B, Y, A, Y, and A.

The three extra tracks, in case you've forgotten, are the following:
  • Brad Paisley - "I'm Gonna Miss Her"
  • Jimi Hendrix - "Wild Thing"
  • Tom Petty - "Needles and Pins"
Speaking of hidden stuff, the murmur amongst murmuring folks seems to be an eerie message in Jam Sessions when you hit the A6 chord and hold it out. After a few seconds, you can hear what sounds like someone whispering, "Don't kill us." Other interpretations of the barely audible voice include "Forgive us" and "Oh god, this is sooooo creepy. What the hell, guys. What. The hell. Seriously ya'll, quit messin' around, this ain't a game. Let's get out of here and eat pizza rolls at my place."

Check past the post break for video and audio proof of the spine-tingling whisper. We guarantee that your spine will be tingled!

Continue reading Konami codes and secret messages in Jam Sessions

JoystiqKonami codes and secret messages in Jam Sessions originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-buyjam-sessionsjamsessionskonamikonami-codesecret-messageubisoftThu, 13 Sep 2007 18:00:00 EST