Difference between revisions of "Action Replay"

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[[File:ProActionReplay2 MD box.jpg|200px|thumb|Pro Action Replay 2 cartridge for Sega Mega Drive.]]
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'''Action Replay''' is the brand name of a series of devices created by [[Datel]], primarily used for changing the behavior of video games. Originally debuting on the Commodore 64 in the late 1980s, Action Replay devices have been released for numerous consoles in years hence, including products produced by [[Sega]]. Unlike the [[Game Genie]] which received official backing from Sega, the majority of Action Replays were produced without a license from Sega, however unlike [[Nintendo]], Sega did not feel the need to press charges against Datel and similar manufacturers at any point.
'''Action Replay''' is the brand name of a series of devices created by [[Datel]], primarily used for changing the behavior of video games. It's been released on a variety of consoles starting with the Commodore 64 version which was released in the late 80's. Versions were released for [[Sega Master System]], [[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Sega Game Gear]], Sega Saturn, and Sega Dreamcast. The [[Sega Saturn]] and [[Sega Dreamcast]] versions were released as the [[GameShark]] in the US.
 
  
==Typical features==
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Unlike the Game Genie, Action Replays were produced well into the 1990s and 2000s. In North America some variants were sold under [[GameShark]] branding. Reduced versions have been distributed under the '''Equalizer''' name.
*With the Action Replay, users can obtain objects that are not obtainable during normal gameplay.
 
*Action Replay allows users to have infinite amounts of limited resources, such as lives, time, money, or ammunition.
 
*Action Replay lets users access levels that are not normally available (most of these levels were usually used for beta testing, or were removed from normal gameplay).
 
*Action Replay can activate programmer menus usually named "Debug Menus" that can be accessed with the correct parameter enabled that are normally unavailable to the player. Some functions/features that are usually included can be of great benefit to the player, such as access to Level Warps, Invincibility, various Test modes and unlocking various game features in an instant.
 
*Some Action Replay models allow import games to be played.
 
  
==Known Releases on Sega Systems==
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==Typical Features==
*[[Sega Master System]]: Released in UK and Germany. Pro Action Replay
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Like other cheat devices, an Action Replay acts as an extra layer between a piece of video game hardware and a game. Users input codes at the beginning of a session which in turn will affect the signals passed between the game and console during play, thus fundementally changing how the game is operates and potentially giving an extra advantage to players. Action Replays do not permanently alter ROM data, however have been known to corrupt save data if used incorrectly.
*[[Sega Game Gear]]: Pro Action Replay
 
*[[Sega Mega Drive/Genesis]]: Action Replay, Pro Action Replay, Pro Action Replay 2
 
*[[Sega Mega CD]]: Pro CDX (Does not support cheat codes, just allows the system to play import games)
 
*[[Sega Saturn]]: Action Replay, Pro Action Replay, Action Replay Plus (3-in1), Pro Action Replay 4M (Two versions; one with 4MB Ram Special Games and auto detection which RAM is needed, 4MB Ram Special Games with Manually selectable detection), Pro Action Replay 4-in-1, 5-in-1
 
*[[Sega Dreamcast]]: Action Replay CDX, Equalizer Xtreme
 
  
==Physical Scans==
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Primarily Action Replays have been used to make games easier, for example, "hijacking" messages which deals with extra lives to "trick" a console into thinking the player has more lives than he/she should. The have also, like the Game Genie, been used to unlock areas of the game usually cut off to normal users, such as test modes and potentially even unused items and features.
===Master System Version===
 
<gallery>
 
File:ProActionReplay SMS German box.jpg|German cover (Pro)
 
File:ProActionReplay SMS German unboxed.jpg|German unboxed (Pro)
 
File:ProActionReplay SMS EU Cart.jpg|EU cart (Pro)
 
</gallery>
 
  
===Game Gear Version===
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Action Replays are usually physical devices which are plugged into a system. Initially these came in the form of pass-through cartridges, however CD technology forced Datel to move into boot discs (and sometimes strange hybrids of the two). More modern systems employ far more complex security protocols making Action Replays largely unviable. Attempts at deterring Action Replays have also been put in place to maintain the integrity of online games, where, if unregulated, runs the risk of crashing servers and spoiling play for others.
<gallery>
 
File:ProActionReplay GG German unboxed .jpg|German unboxed (Pro)
 
</gallery>
 
  
===Mega Drive Version===
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More modern Action Replays have been enhanced with other features, such as the ability to bypass region locking and in some cases serve as a memory card.
<gallery>
 
File:ActionReplay MD US packaging.jpg|US packaging (Standard)
 
File:ProActionReplay MD US packagingfront .jpg| US packaging (front) (Pro)
 
File:ProActionReplay MD US packagingback.jpg|US packaging (back) (Pro)
 
File:ActionReplay EU MD box.jpg|EU cover (Standard)
 
File:ProVersionActionReplayPro MD EU Box.jpg|EU cover (Pro)
 
File:ProActionReplay MD unboxed.jpg|EU unboxed (Pro)
 
File:ProActionReplay2 MD EU boxfront.jpg|EU cover (front) (Pro 2)
 
File:ProActionReplay2 MD EU packaging.jpg|EU packaging (Pro 2)
 
File:ProActionReplay2 MD EU cart.jpg|EU cart (Pro 2)
 
</gallery>
 
  
===Sega CD===
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==Known Releases on Sega Systems==
<gallery>
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*[[Sega Master System]]: [[Pro Action Replay (Master System)|Pro Action Replay]]
File:ProActionReplay SCD box.jpg
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*[[Sega Mega Drive]]: [[Action Replay (Mega Drive)|Action Replay, Pro Action Replay, and Pro Action Replay 2]]
</gallery>
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*[[Sega Game Gear]]: [[Pro Action Replay (Game Gear)|Pro Action Replay]]
 
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*[[Sega Saturn]]: Action Replay*
===Saturn Version===
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*[[Sega Dreamcast]]: [[Action Replay CDX]]
<gallery>
 
File:ActionReplay EU SAT.jpg|Cartridge (Standard)
 
File:ProActionReplay SAT box.jpg|Front of box (Pro)
 
File:ActionReplayPlus Saturn Box Front.jpg|Front of box (Plus) (3-in-1)
 
File:ActionReplayPlus Saturn Box Back.jpg|Back of box (Plus) (3-in-1)
 
File:ActionReplayPlus SAT.jpg|Cartridge (Plus) (3-in-1)
 
File:4In1ProActionReplay saturn eu cart.jpg|Cartridge (Pro 4-in-1)
 
File:ActionReplay SAT US 5in1 cart.jpg|5-in-1 cartridge
 
</gallery>
 
  
===Dreamcast Version===
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<nowiki>*</nowiki>The Sega Saturn Action Replay was designed and manufactured by [[EMS]] for Datel. EMS subsequently produced their own-brand copies and licensed the technology to others, meaning there are many Action Replay variants.
<gallery>
 
File:ActionReplayCDX DC French box.jpg|French unboxed (CDX)
 
File:ActionReplayCDX DC German box.jpg|German box (CDX)
 
</gallery>
 
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
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==External links==
 
==External links==
 
*[http://www.codejunkies.com/ CodeJunkies.com] &ndash; Official Action Replay website
 
*[http://www.codejunkies.com/ CodeJunkies.com] &ndash; Official Action Replay website
 
{{MasterSystem}}
 
{{GameGear}}
 
{{MegaDrive}}
 
{{Saturn}}
 
{{Dreamcast}}
 
  
 
[[Category:Hardware]]
 
[[Category:Hardware]]

Latest revision as of 06:00, 10 September 2013

Action Replay is the brand name of a series of devices created by Datel, primarily used for changing the behavior of video games. Originally debuting on the Commodore 64 in the late 1980s, Action Replay devices have been released for numerous consoles in years hence, including products produced by Sega. Unlike the Game Genie which received official backing from Sega, the majority of Action Replays were produced without a license from Sega, however unlike Nintendo, Sega did not feel the need to press charges against Datel and similar manufacturers at any point.

Unlike the Game Genie, Action Replays were produced well into the 1990s and 2000s. In North America some variants were sold under GameShark branding. Reduced versions have been distributed under the Equalizer name.

Typical Features

Like other cheat devices, an Action Replay acts as an extra layer between a piece of video game hardware and a game. Users input codes at the beginning of a session which in turn will affect the signals passed between the game and console during play, thus fundementally changing how the game is operates and potentially giving an extra advantage to players. Action Replays do not permanently alter ROM data, however have been known to corrupt save data if used incorrectly.

Primarily Action Replays have been used to make games easier, for example, "hijacking" messages which deals with extra lives to "trick" a console into thinking the player has more lives than he/she should. The have also, like the Game Genie, been used to unlock areas of the game usually cut off to normal users, such as test modes and potentially even unused items and features.

Action Replays are usually physical devices which are plugged into a system. Initially these came in the form of pass-through cartridges, however CD technology forced Datel to move into boot discs (and sometimes strange hybrids of the two). More modern systems employ far more complex security protocols making Action Replays largely unviable. Attempts at deterring Action Replays have also been put in place to maintain the integrity of online games, where, if unregulated, runs the risk of crashing servers and spoiling play for others.

More modern Action Replays have been enhanced with other features, such as the ability to bypass region locking and in some cases serve as a memory card.

Known Releases on Sega Systems

*The Sega Saturn Action Replay was designed and manufactured by EMS for Datel. EMS subsequently produced their own-brand copies and licensed the technology to others, meaning there are many Action Replay variants.

See also

External links