Cheats & Action Replay

Use cheat codes and understand Action Replay code types

Overview

Dolphin supports GameCube and Wii cheat codes using the Action Replay code format. These codes allow you to modify game memory to enable cheats like infinite health, unlock items, or alter gameplay mechanics.

Enabling Cheats

1. Open Properties

   Right-click a game in the game list and select “Properties”

2. Go to AR Codes Tab

   Navigate to the “AR Codes” tab

3. Add Codes

   Click “Add” or “Edit” to enter cheat codes

4. Enable Codes

   Check the box next to codes you want active

5. Enable System

   Ensure “Enable Cheats” is checked in Config > General

Code Format

Action Replay codes consist of two-line pairs in hexadecimal format:

AAAAAAAA BBBBBBBB

• AAAAAAAA: Code type and address
• BBBBBBBB: Value to write or compare

Example Codes

04012345 00000063    # Write value 0x63 to address 0x80012345
00023000 00000312    # Fill 3 bytes at 0x80023000 with 0x12

Memory Range

GameCube memory range:

• Cached: 0x80000000 - 0x817FFFFF
• Uncached: 0xC0000000 - 0xC17FFFFF

Action Replay uses simplified offsets 0x00000000 - 0x017FFFFF with code type prefix.

Most codes write to the cached range (0x80000000 base).

Data Sizes

• 8-bit (Byte): 0x12 (0-255)
• 16-bit (Halfword): 0x1234 (0-65535)
• 32-bit (Word): 0x12345678 (0-4294967295)

Alignment Requirements

• 8-bit: Any address
• 16-bit: Address must be multiple of 2 (ends in 0,2,4,6,8,A,C,E)
• 32-bit: Address must be multiple of 4 (ends in 0,4,8,C)

Misaligned codes may fail or crash.

Basic Code Types

RAM Write Codes

Write values directly to memory.

8-bit Write (00)

00XXXXXX NNNNNNVV

Writes byte VV to address 0x80XXXXXX, repeated NNNNNN+1 times

Example:
00006500 00000312
Writes 0x12 to addresses:
  0x80006500, 0x80006501, 0x80006502, 0x80006503

Addition Codes

Add values to existing memory.

8-bit Add (80)

80XXXXXX 000000VV

Loads byte at address, adds VV, stores result (masked to 8-bit)

Example:
80012340 00000005
Adds 5 to byte at 0x80012340

Conditional Codes

Execute following codes only if conditions are met.

If Equal

Single-line If Equal (08/0A/0C)

08XXXXXX 000000VV    # 8-bit
0AXXXXXX 0000VVVV    # 16-bit
0CXXXXXX VVVVVVVV    # 32-bit

If value at address equals VV/VVVV/VVVVVVVV, execute next code

Example:
0C012340 00000001    # If word at 0x80012340 equals 1
04012344 00000063    # Then write 99 to 0x80012344

If NOT Equal

Single-line If NOT Equal (10/12/14)

10XXXXXX 000000VV    # 8-bit
12XXXXXX 0000VVVV    # 16-bit
14XXXXXX VVVVVVVV    # 32-bit

If value does NOT equal, execute next code

Comparison Codes

If Lower (Signed)

18XXXXXX 000000VV    # 8-bit (actually unsigned due to AR bug)
1AXXXXXX 0000VVVV    # 16-bit signed
1CXXXXXX VVVVVVVV    # 32-bit signed

58/5A/5C - Two-line version
98/9A/9C - Multi-line version

8-bit “signed” comparison is actually unsigned due to AR bug.

If Higher (Signed)

20XXXXXX 000000VV    # 8-bit (actually unsigned due to AR bug)
22XXXXXX 0000VVVV    # 16-bit signed
24XXXXXX VVVVVVVV    # 32-bit signed

60/62/64 - Two-line version
A0/A2/A4 - Multi-line version

If Lower (Unsigned)

28XXXXXX 000000VV    # 8-bit: 0-255
2AXXXXXX 0000VVVV    # 16-bit: 0-65535
2CXXXXXX VVVVVVVV    # 32-bit: 0-4294967295

68/6A/6C - Two-line version
A8/AA/AC - Multi-line version

If Higher (Unsigned)

30XXXXXX 000000VV    # 8-bit
32XXXXXX 0000VVVV    # 16-bit
34XXXXXX VVVVVVVV    # 32-bit

70/72/74 - Two-line version
B0/B2/B4 - Multi-line version

If AND (Bitwise)

38XXXXXX VVVVVVVV

If (value_at_address AND VVVVVVVV) != 0, execute next code

78XXXXXX - Two-line version
B8XXXXXX - Multi-line version

Advanced Code Types

Pointer Codes

Write to addresses stored at other addresses.

40XXXXXX NNNNNNVV    # 8-bit pointer write
42XXXXXX NNNNVVVV    # 16-bit pointer write
44XXXXXX VVVVVVVV    # 32-bit pointer write

Loads pointer address from 0x80XXXXXX,
then writes to [pointer + offset]

Example:
44012340 12345678
Loads address from 0x80012340,
then writes 0x12345678 to that address

Fill & Slide

Write repeating values with incrementing addresses/values.

00000000 8XXXXXXX
Y1Y2Y3Y4 Z1Z2Z3Z4

Address: 8XXXXXXX (size in bits 25-26)
Value: Y1Y2Y3Y4
Address increment: Z3Z4 (signed)
Value increment: Z1 (signed)
Repeat count: Z2

Example:
00000000 84012340
00000001 02050010

Writes to 0x84012340 with 32-bit size:
  Value 0x01, repeat 5 times,
  incrementing address by 0x10,
  incrementing value by 2 each time

Master Code

Modify how codes are executed (advanced).

C4XXXXXX NNNNTTMM

MM = Master Code Number (0x00-0x0F)
TT = Type (0-3)
NN = Codes to execute per cycle

Types:
  0 - Branch to subroutine 1
  1 - Backup 4 ASM lines, branch to main
  2 - Branch to subroutine 1 copy
  3 - Branch to main routine start

Master codes are complex and can crash games if misconfigured. Use with caution.

Special Codes

End of Codes

00000000 00000000

Terminates code execution, returns control to game

Normal Execution

00000000 40000000

Ends multi-line conditional blocks
Resets execution mode to normal

Execute All Codes

00000000 60000000

Executes all codes without returning to game
Until another mode change occurs

Practical Examples

Infinite Health

04123456 000003E7

Writes 999 to health address at 0x80123456

Finding Code Addresses

1. Use Dolphin's Memory Tools

   Tools > Cheats Manager > “Start New Search”

2. Narrow Down Values

   Search for known values (health, money, etc.) Perform actions in-game and search again

3. Identify Address

   When you find the address, note it down

4. Create Code

   Use appropriate code type to modify the value

Code Databases

Pre-made codes available at:

• Gecko Codes: Common cheat code database
• GCT Files: Pre-compiled code collections
• Community Forums: Game-specific code repositories

Always verify codes are for the correct game region (NTSC-U, PAL, NTSC-J).

Troubleshooting

Codes Not Working

• Verify “Enable Cheats” is checked in Config > General
• Check codes are enabled (checked) in AR Codes tab
• Ensure code is for correct game region
• Verify address alignment is correct

Game Crashes

• Disable all codes and re-enable one at a time
• Check for alignment errors (16/32-bit codes)
• Verify addresses are valid (0x80000000-0x817FFFFF)
• Remove master codes if present

Code Has No Effect

• Address may change between game versions
• Value may be overwritten by game logic
• Try using pointer codes if direct write fails
• Search for address again using memory tools

Best Practices

• Test codes individually before combining
• Back up save files before using cheats
• Use minimal codes to reduce conflicts
• Disable codes when not needed
• Document addresses for future reference

Some codes can corrupt save files or cause permanent game glitches. Use with caution and keep backups.

Related Topics

TAS Tools

Frame-by-frame control and input recording

Graphics Mods

Visual modifications and enhancements