Cheat codes have largely gone away in the modern gaming landscape. With the advent of online multiplayer, achievements, and trophies, getting an advantage by putting in a code seems unfair. However, a select few games still carry on this tradition, either as a way to unlock everything without doing the work or by giving the characters buffs to make the game easier.
Some modern titles have cheat codes in some capacity, which give the player an upper hand. The ethics of using them are debatable, but as long as they don’t interfere with someone else’s enjoyment of the game, then it shouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to use them. It’s a shame thatmodern games with cheat codeshave become a rarity, which is why it’s important to pay attention to the titles that give this classic video game element the respect it deserves.
Updated on July 27, 2025, by Gerardo Molina:Using cheats in a game is one of the oldest matters of debate among the gaming community. While some say that there’s nothing wrong with it, as it can help make the experience more complete and entertaining, others argue that it takes away from the challenge and the fun that can be had normally. In any case, it would seem that through the years, fewer and fewer games include the possibility of using built-in cheats. Luckily, there are still some developers who prioritize this option, leaving full control in the hands of players. Some of the titles on the list allow for modest cheats, whereas others can turn the game into something completely different.
Ark: Survival Evolvedpits players against insurmountable odds, which is part of the experience and the challenge that, consequentially, provides the fun. However, those looking to shake up their playthrough and make things more interesting can use the various cheats available in the game.
Some of the most popular cheats out there allow players to fly, activate God Mode, and even remain undetected by enemies. These kinds of cheats are recommended for those who already beat the game and want to try new things, as otherwise, the experience is simply not as satisfying.
Like other farm life simulation RPGs,Stardew Valleytasks players with exploring the world, performing various actions, and gathering and managing as many resources as they can. This is what makes the game entertaining, but if players want to avoid the hassle of having to do this manually, they can always use cheats to get unlimited money, free items, and even make fishing more efficient.
As is the case with other games on this list, the experience thatStardew Valleyprovides can suffer from using too many cheats. So, if players want to have as much fun as possible during their first playthrough, they should avoid cheating as much as they can.
TheDead Spaceremake is a great upgrade from the original, but there’s something about the 2008 classic that makes it well worth checking out even now. Players need only take a look at this game to understand why many fans felt that a remake was completely unnecessary, with Isaac Clarke’s mute adventures being a blast to experience even now.
Not only was this title captivating and immersive in its twisted way, but it’s also agame with cheat codesthat players can use to mess around with its systems. With these cheats, players can refill the energy Isaac uses for his powers, get more Power Nodes to spend on Isaac’s upgrades, and gain credits that turn the game’s economy into a joke.
How to Cheat
Players must input relevant button presses to enjoy the benefit of a cheat code inDead Space, as is the case in most classic video games. These cheat codes can only be activated in the pause menu.
Rockstar has developed some of the best open-world games ever, and many of them have been updated in some form or another so that modern gamers can experience them. So, it’s rather puzzling to see whyBullyhasn’t enjoyed the same level of attention, barring aScholarship Editionrelease that added to the title’s many engaging gameplay elements.
It’s one of the bettergames with cheat codesthat players can check out, which makes sense considering Rockstar’s tendency to load their state-of-the-art video games with such exploits. These include health refills, unlimited ammunition, and everything else along the same lines.
Players must input relevant button presses to enjoy the benefit of a cheat code, as is the case in most classic video games. WithBully, however, a second controller must be connected to the device on which the game is being played, and the cheat codes must be activated using this controller.
Arkham Asylumcame out of nowhere and established itself as one of the best superhero video games of all time, introducing a revolutionary melee combat system that was replicated time and time again by other imitators with varying levels of success. It was clear that expectations were high for the sequel, and fans were glad to see thatArkham Cityblew expectations out of the water.
The open-world approach was lauded by many fans, withArkham City’s suite of gameplay improvements doing a great job of establishing this title as one of the greatest sequels ever made. Players who have played this title to death can use numerous button input combinations to make thisgame with cheat codesmore fun to play with, especially for those who feel like they’ve seen all the tricks that the Dark Knight can pull off.
Players must input relevant button presses to enjoy the benefit of a cheat code, as is the case in most classic video games.
The idea ofexperimenting with space travelwhile also adding a fair bit of comedy along the way is what makesKerbal Space Programsuch a fun game to play. Constructing spaceships and the like is a ton of fun, even if the learning curve for this game can be a bit too much for most people to bear.
Thankfully, there’s a debug mode that players can enable to enjoy a wealth of cheats that make it easier to go through the game. Stuff like unbreakable joints and infinite fuel will go a long way in ensuring that players can enjoy a successful spaceship launch that isn’t marred by technical faults.
Players need to press Alt+F12 to bring up the debug console and gain access to a wealth of cheats that make the game easier.
Celesteis one of the best platformers that gamers can check out, featuring satisfying movement, challenging gameplay, and a story that is way more engaging than most people would assume. The simple act of climbing a mountain draws parallels toa person’s battle with depressionand how every accomplishment should be cherished.
Players who want to experience everythingCelestehas to offer without being railroaded by its difficulty spikes can use cheat mode to just unlock every level and enjoy the story at their own pace. It may not be the most legit way to play the game, but it does offer accessibility for players who find the platforming to be a bit too hard.
Players need to inputa certain set of button pressesin the Prologue chapter with the car to unlock cheat mode.
22Axiom Verge 2
Types Of Cheats: Invincibility, Higher Weapon Damage, No Cooldown
Axiom Vergeis one of the most underrated classic Metroidvanias players can check out, and this statement applies to the sequel, too. Featuring various improvements to the formula,Axiom Verge 2is one of thebest Metroidvania gamesfans of the genre will have a great time with.
If players want to make things easier for themselves or just wish to mess around inAxiom Verge 2, they can check out a wealth of cheats that help facilitate the same.
Players need to findcertain passcodes in the gamethat can be entered into the passcode tool to enjoy a wealth of benefits.
Red Dead Redemptionis one of the greatest open-world games ever made, and fans were glad that this title was finally ported to modern consoles after a long time, even if the cold shoulder hurt PC fans quite a bit. John Marston’s tale of trying to redeem himself is a melancholic one that hits even harder with the existence ofRed Dead Redemption 2.
The open world is still impressive for its time, and some people will love the less rigid approach to gameplay as compared to the sequel. Cheats disable achievements in the game, but most players won’t mind as long as they have the opportunity to mess around in this title and experience something different.
There’s a Cheats tab in the Options menu where players can input the cheat code of their choice.AllRed Dead Redemptioncodes can be found here.
After a string of mediocre releases,Sonicfans were glad to experience a great modernSonicgame that harkened back to the classic age.Sonic Maniawas made by a team of fans who were hired by Sega to feature the blue hedgehog in a game that fans could be proud of, and many people argue that the title succeeded in that sense.
On top of its excellent platforming gameplay and level design,Sonic Mania Plusalso featurescheats that players can use for a bevy of effects. It’s just one of the many ways in which this title harkens back to the good old era of video gaming when Sonic was at the very heights of its powers.
Players need to unlock the Level Select menu, go to Sound Test, and play sounds in a specific order to do everything from unlocking all Sonic moves, and Chaos Emeralds, to getting infinite lives.
