Difference between revisions of "Game Genie (Mega Drive)"

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{{AccessoryBob
 +
| accessoryimage=GameGenieMD.jpg
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| accessoryprogramscreen=Game Genie Screenshot (Genesis).png
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| title=Game Genie
 +
| maker=[[Codemasters]]
 +
| type=Cheat tool
 +
| madefor=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
 +
| distributor={{company|[[Galoob]]|region=US}}, {{company|[[Camerica]]|region=Canada}}, {{company|[[Hornby]]|region=UK}}, {{company|[[Famosa]]|region=ES, PT}}
 +
| releases={{releasesMD
 +
| md_date_us=1992
 +
| md_rrp_us=59.95{{magref|vgce|45|26}}<!--79.95{{magref|gi|7|38}}-->
 +
| md_code_us=7357
 +
| md_date_eu=1992-10{{magref|cvg|130|12}}
 +
| md_code_eu=
 +
| md_date_uk=1992-10{{magref|cvg|130|12}}
 +
| md_code_uk=
 +
| md_rrp_uk=44.95{{magref|cvg|130|12}}<!--39.99{{magref|megatech|7|15}} 44.99{{magref|segapro|11|42}} 49.99{{magref|sfuk|1|6}}-->
 +
| md_date_fr=199x
 +
| md_date_es=199x
 +
| md_date_pt=199x
 +
| md_date_br=1993-04<!--{{magref|vg|26|11}}-->
 +
| md_code_br=055060
 +
| md_date_ca=199x
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
The [[Sega Mega Drive|Mega Drive]] version of the '''''Game Genie''''' is a specialised cheat cartridge (or "video game enhancer") developed by [[Codemasters]] and sold by [[Galoob]] that allows the user to manipulate various aspects of games.
  
−
[[Category:Hardware]]
+
==Hardware==
−
The '''Game Genie''' was a series of devices sold by [[Camerica]] and [[Galoob]] for the [[NES]], [[SNES]], [[Gameboy]], and [[Megadrive]] that when used allowed the player to enter "codes" which modified the game data allowing the player to cheat. It was attached to the end of a cartridge and the whole assembly was then inserted into the cartridge port of the console in question. The codes had many effects, most often giving the player some form of invulnerability or infinite ammo or some such modification. The codes came in a little booklet shipped with the Game Genie or in a quarterly update that a Game Genie owner could subscribe for, but now all of these and many more discovered or created by players can be found online. There are whole websites dedicated to just Game Genie codes.
+
The Game Genie attaches to the end of a [[cartridge]] and is then inserted into the cartridge port of the console for which it was designed.
  
−
When the original NES Game Genie was introduced, [[Nintendo]] opposed it utterly, taking matters to court, and actually managed to initially stop the sale of the device in the U.S. (though they failed further north - in many gaming magazines of the time, Camerica had placed Game Genie ads saying "Thank You Canada!")  Eventually, Nintendo relented, and the Game Genie was sold in the U.S.  However, the design of the NES Game Genie, meant to deal with the awkward loading mechanism on the console, prevents it from being used with ease with the late-model revised NES (though it can be forced in.)  An adaptor was made to deal with the problem, but few were requested, and can be hard to find today, as the stock was liquidated.
+
Upon starting the console, the player may enter a series of characters referred to as a "code" or several such series that reference addresses in the [[ROM]] of the cartridge. Each code contains an integer value that is read by the system in place of the data actually present on the cartridge. The Game Genie cannot manipulate [[RAM]], though it can make the console read different values from [[SRAM]].
  
−
Though there are no current Game Genie products, most video game console [[emulator]]s feature Game Genie support, and both the [[Pro Action Replay]] and [[Gameshark]] "game enhancers" can trace their lineage in part to the Game Genie.
+
Because they patch the program code of a game, Game Genie codes are sometimes referred to as patch codes. These codes can have a variety of effects. The most popular codes give the player some form of invulnerability, infinite ammunition, level skipping, or other modifications that allow the player to be more powerful than intended by the developers. In rare cases, codes even unlock hidden game features that developers had scrapped and rendered unreachable in normal play (an example of this is the final [[sonic:Hidden Palace Zone|Hidden Palace Zone]] in ''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'').
 +
 
 +
The Game Genie was usually sold with a small booklet of discovered codes for use with the system. However, these booklets would eventually become inadequate as new codes were discovered and new games were released that were not covered. To address this, an update system was implemented, where subscribers would receive quarterly booklet updates for a fee. In addition, Galoob also ran ads in certain gaming publications (such as GamePro) that featured codes for newer games. Today, these codes and many others discovered by players can be found for free online.
 +
 
 +
On the [[Sega Mega Drive]], the Game Genie can function as a country converter and bypass the [[TMSS]] (TradeMark Security System) since most of these games are only "locked" to their respective regions by the shape of the cartridges and a set of a few bytes in the header of the ROM. In other cases, Game Genie codes can be entered to allow a game to be played on any region console.
 +
 
 +
===Hidden content===
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Hidden content}}
 +
 
 +
==History==
 +
Though developed by Codemasters, distribution was handled by [[Camerica]] in Canada and [[Galoob]] in the United States (and Europe, with the help of third-party distributors). Following the controversy of a [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] version of the device - of which [[Nintendo]] unsuccessfully tried to block, the Mega Drive (and [[Game Genie (Game Gear)|Game Gear enhancer]]) were adopted by [[Sega]] as officially licensed products.
 +
 
 +
The Game Genie brand has since been discontinued, however the idea lived on through [[Action Replay]] and [[GameShark]] hacking devices on newer consoles in the years which followed. Game Genie codes have since become a supported feature in most emulators.
 +
 
 +
===Scrapped successor===
 +
A new set of Game Genies called "Game Genie 2" were in the works in 1993 which would store codes and not require codes to be entered each time booting up the system. It was also going to have code searching features similar to the Pro Action Replay. This means it could probably alter RAM as searching for codes that affect ROM would have been more difficult. Due to some Game Genies recently being released it was decided to hold off the release of the new version until at least the following year, but wound up being scrapped instead.
 +
 
 +
===Official code books===
 +
In the US, Galoob offered a subscription service in which "code updates" would be sent to Game Genie owners quarterly over the course of a year. Generally these books were released to cover new games, i.e. software released ''after'' the Game Genie's launch. This service was not unique to Sega console owners. Later Game Genie releases incorporated the codes from these books into the codebook which shipped with the cartridge.
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
GameGenieManualNCodebook.jpg|Manual and Codebook
 +
GameGenieManualNCodebook2.jpg|Manual and Codebook (alternate)
 +
GameGenieCodeUpdateVol1No1 MD.jpg|Volume 1, No. 1
 +
GameGenieCodeUpdateVol1No2 MD..jpg|Volume 1, No. 2
 +
GameGenieCodeUpdateVol1No3 MD..jpg|Volume 1, No. 3
 +
GameGenieCodeUpdateVol1No4 MD.jpg|Volume 1, No. 4
 +
GameGenieCodeUpdateVol2No1 MD.jpg.jpg|Volume 2, No. 1
 +
GameGenieCodeUpdateVol2No2 MD.jpg|Volume 2, No. 2
 +
GameGenieCodeUpdateVol2No3 MD.jpg|Volume 2, No. 3
 +
GameGenieCodeUpdateVol2No4 MD.jpg|Volume 2, No. 4
 +
GameGenieCodeUpdateVol3No41 MD.jpg|Volume 3, No. 1
 +
GameGenieCodeUpdateVol3No2 MD.jpg|Volume 3, No. 2
 +
GameGenieCodeUpdateVol3No3 MD.jpg.jpg|Volume 3, No. 3
 +
GameGenieCodeUpdateVol3No4 MD.jpg.jpg|Volume 3, No. 4
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
===Volume 1, No.1===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[688 Attack Sub]]''
 +
*''[[After Burner II]]''
 +
*''[[Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle]]''
 +
*''[[Arcus Odyssey]]''
 +
*''[[Bimini Run]]''
 +
*''[[Crack Down]]''
 +
*''[[Desert Strike]]''
 +
*''[[The Faery Tale Adventure]]''
 +
*''[[Forgotten Worlds (Mega Drive)|Forgotten Worlds]]''
 +
*''[[Will Harvey Presents The Immortal|The Immortal]]''
 +
*''[[James "Buster" Douglas Knockout Boxing (Mega Drive)|James Buster Douglas Knockout Boxing]]''
 +
*''[[PGA Tour Golf]]''
 +
*''[[R.B.I. Baseball 3|RBI Baseball 3]]''
 +
*''[[Road Rash]]''
 +
*''[[Shadow Blasters]]''
 +
*''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''
 +
*''[[Super Monaco GP]]''
 +
*''[[Taz-Mania]]''
 +
*''[[Super League (Mega Drive)|Tommy Lasorda Baseball]]''
 +
*''[[Turrican]]''
 +
*''[[Valis III]]''
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Volume 1, No.2===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[Alien 3]]''
 +
*''[[Batman|Batman (More Codes)]]''
 +
*''[[Bulls vs. Lakers and the NBA Playoffs]]''
 +
*''[[Dragon's Fury]]''
 +
*''[[Evander Holyfield's "Real Deal" Boxing|Evander Holyfields Real Deal Boxing]]''
 +
*''[[F-22 Interceptor: Advanced Tactical Fighter|F-22 Interceptor]]''
 +
*''[[Ghostbusters (Mega Drive)|Ghostbusters]]''
 +
*''[[Sega Classic|Golden Axe (Sega Classic Edition)]]''
 +
*''[[Greendog: The Beached Surfer Dude!|Greendog, The Beached Surfer Dude]]''
 +
*''[[Joe Montana II Sports Talk Football|Joe Montana II Sports Talk Football (Alternate Codes)]]''
 +
*''[[NFL Sports Talk Football '93 Starring Joe Montana|John Madden Football '93]]''
 +
*''[[King's Bounty]]''
 +
*''[[Krusty's Super Fun House]]''
 +
*''[[NFL Sports Talk Football '93 Starring Joe Montana]]''
 +
*''[[Pit-Fighter]]''
 +
*''[[QuackShot Starring Donald Duck|QuackShot (Alternative Codes)]]''
 +
*''[[The Revenge of Shinobi|Revenge of Shinobi]]''
 +
*''[[Sega Classic|Revenge of Shinobi (Sega Classic Edition)]]''
 +
*''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
 +
*''[[Team USA Basketball]]''
 +
*''[[The Terminator]]''
 +
*''[[Toki: Going Ape Spit]]''
 +
*''[[Two Crude Dudes]]''
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Volume 1, No.3===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[Aquatic Games starring James Pond|Aquatic Games Starring James Pond]]''
 +
*''[[Batman Returns (Mega Drive)|Batman Returns]]''
 +
*''[[Chakan (Mega Drive)|Chakan]]''
 +
*''[[Ecco the Dolphin]]''
 +
*''[[Gaiares|Galares]]''
 +
*''[[Thunder Force IV|Lightening Force]]''
 +
*''[[Menacer 6-Game Cartridge|Menacer]]''
 +
*''[[NHLPA Hockey '93]]''
 +
*''[[Road Rash 2]]''
 +
*''[[Rolo to the Rescue]]''
 +
*''[[The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants|Simpsons Bart vs. The Space Mutants]]''
 +
*''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog (More Codes)]]''
 +
*''[[Splatterhouse 2]]''
 +
*''[[Streets of Rage 2]]''
 +
*''[[T2: The Arcade Game|T2 The Arcade]]''
 +
*''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - The Hyper Stone Heist]]''
 +
*''[[World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck|World of Illusion]]''
 +
*''[[X-Men]]''
 +
*''[[Pit-Fighter|Pit-Fighter (Alternate Codes)]]''
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Volume 1, No.4===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[Batman: Revenge of The Joker|Batman Revenge of The Joker]]''
 +
*''[[Blaster Master 2]]''
 +
*''[[Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind|Bubsy]]''
 +
*''[[Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday|Buck Rogers Countdown to Doomsday]]''
 +
*''[[Chuck Rock]]''
 +
*''[[Cool Spot]]''
 +
*''[[Fatal Fury]]''
 +
*''[[James Bond 007: The Duel|James Bond 007 The Duel]]''
 +
*''[[Jungle Strike]]''
 +
*''[[Jurassic Park (Mega Drive)|Jurassic Park]]''
 +
*''[[Mick and Mack as the Global Gladiators]]''
 +
*''[[PGA Tour Golf 2]]''
 +
*''[[Risky Woods]]''
 +
*''[[Shadow of the Beast II]]''
 +
*''[[Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II|Super Monaco GP II]]''
 +
*''[[Super Thunder Blade]]''
 +
*''[[TaleSpin]]''
 +
*''[[Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Hidden Treasure]]''
 +
*''[[Toys]]''
 +
*''[[WWF Super WrestleMania]]''
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Volume 2, No.1===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[Aero the Acro-Bat]]''
 +
*''[[Disney's Aladdin]]''
 +
*''[[Flashback]]''
 +
*''[[Gunstar Heroes]]''
 +
*''[[Micro Machines]]''
 +
*''[[Mortal Kombat]]''
 +
*''[[Mutant League Football]]''
 +
*''[[Ranger X]]''
 +
*''[[Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master|Shinobi III]]''
 +
*''[[Splatterhouse 3]]''
 +
*''[[Street Fighter II': Special Champion Edition|Street Fighter II Special Championship Edition]]''
 +
*''[[Strider II|Strider Returns]]''
 +
*''[[Zombies Ate My Neighbors]]''
 +
*''[[TechnoClash]]''
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Volume 2, No.2===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[sonic:Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine|Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine]]''
 +
*''[[Eternal Champions]]''
 +
*''[[FIFA International Soccer]]''
 +
*''[[NFL Football '94 Starring Joe Montana]]''
 +
*''[[RoboCop Versus The Terminator|Robocop versus the Terminator]]''
 +
*''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball|Sonic Spinball]]''
 +
*''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog 3|Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''
 +
*''[[Tecmo Super Bowl]]''
 +
*''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tournament Fighters]]''
 +
*''[[ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron|ToeJam & Earl in Panic On Funketron]]''
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Volume 2, No.3===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[Battletoads]]''
 +
*''[[Boxing Legends of the Ring]]''
 +
*''[[Castlevania: Bloodlines|Castlevania Bloodlines]]''
 +
*''[[Columns III: Revenge of Columns|Columns III]]''
 +
*''[[Gauntlet IV]]''
 +
*''[[Greatest Heavyweights]]''
 +
*''[[Mega Turrican]]''
 +
*''[[Mutant League Hockey]]''
 +
*''[[Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge|Spider-Man/X-Men-Arcade's Revenge]]''
 +
*''[[Superman: The Man of Steel|Superman]]''
 +
*''[[The Ren & Stimpy Show Presents: Stimpy's Invention]]''
 +
*''[[Mega Games I|Triple Score]]''
 +
*''[[World Series Baseball (Mega Drive)|World series Baseball]]''
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Volume 2, No.4===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[The Addams Family (Mega Drive)|The Addams Family]]''
 +
*''[[Barkley Shut Up and Jam!|Barkley: Shut Up and Jam]]''
 +
*''[[Chester Cheetah: Wild Wild Quest|Chester Cheetah...Wild Wild Quest]]''
 +
*''[[Disney's The Jungle Book]]''
 +
*''[[Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls|Double Dragon 5 Game]]''
 +
*''[[Dune II: Battle for Arrakis|Dune: The Battle for Arrakis]]''
 +
*''[[Fatal Fury 2]]''
 +
*''[[F1|Formula One]]''
 +
*''[[Lethal Enforcers|Lethal Enforcers]]''
 +
*''[[Mazin Saga: Mutant Fighter|Mazin Saga Mutant Fighter]]''
 +
*''[[The Pirates of Dark Water|Pirates of Dark Water]]''
 +
*''[[R.B.I. Baseball '94]]''
 +
*''[[Race Drivin']]''
 +
*''[[Streets of Rage 3]]''
 +
*''[[Sub-Terrania]]''
 +
*''[[Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers|Super Street Fighter II]]''
 +
*''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day|Terminator 2: Judgement Day]]''
 +
*''[[Virtua Racing]]''
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Volume 3, No.1===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[Ballz]]''
 +
*''[[Battletech: A Game of Armored Combat|Battletech]]''
 +
*''[[Earthworm Jim]]''
 +
*''[[Ecco: The Tides of Time]]''
 +
*''[[The Incredible Hulk]]''
 +
*''[[Jammit]]''
 +
*''[[The Lion King]]''
 +
*''[[Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage|Maximum Carnage]]''
 +
*''[[Mickey Mania: The Timeless Adventures of Mickey Mouse|Mickey Mania: The TImeless Adventures of Mickey Mouse]]''
 +
*''[[Mortal Kombat II]]''
 +
*''[[Outrunners]]''
 +
*''[[Shaq Fu|Shaq-Fu]]''
 +
*''[[sonic:Sonic & Knuckles|Sonic & Knuckles]]''
 +
*''[[Sylvester and Tweety in Cagey Capers]]''
 +
*''[[Taz in Escape from Mars]]''
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Volume 3, No.2===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[The Adventures of Batman & Robin (Mega Drive)|The Adventures of Batman & Robin]]''
 +
*''[[Beavis and Butt-Head (Mega Drive)|Beavis and Butt-head]]''
 +
*''[[Contra: Hard Corps]]''
 +
*''[[Judge Dredd]]''
 +
*''[[Jurassic Park: Rampage Edition|Jurassic Park Rampage Edition]]''
 +
*''[[Madden NFL '95]]''
 +
*''[[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Mega Drive)|Mighty Morphin Power Rangers]]''
 +
*''[[NBA Jam Tournament Edition|NBA JAM Tournament Edition]]''
 +
*''[[Road Rash 3: Tour De Force|Road Rash 3: Tour De Force]]''
 +
*''[[Stargate (Mega Drive)|Stargate]]''
 +
*''[[Urban Strike]]''
 +
*''[[Warlock]]''
 +
*''[[Wolverine: Adamantium Rage]]''
 +
*''[[X-Men 2: Clone Wars|X-Men 2 Clone Wars]]''
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Volume 3, No.3===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[Barkley Shut Up and Jam 2]]''
 +
*''[[Batman Forever (Mega Drive)|Batman Forever]]''
 +
*''[[Comix Zone]]''
 +
*''[[The Death and Return of Superman|Death and Return of Superman]]''
 +
*''[[Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story|DRAGON: The Bruce Lee Story]]''
 +
*''[[Mortal Kombat 3]]''
 +
*''[[Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure]]''
 +
*''[[Primal Rage]]''
 +
*''[[Spider-Man (Acclaim)|Spider-Man]]''
 +
*''[[The Tick]]''
 +
*''[[Zero Tolerance]]''
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Volume 3, No.4===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[Aaahh!!! Real Monsters|AAAHH!! Real Monsters]]''
 +
*''[[Earthworm Jim 2]]''
 +
*''[[Garfield: Caught in the Act]]''
 +
*''[[Madden NFL '96]]''
 +
*''[[NFL Quarterback Club '96]]''
 +
*''[[Prime Time NFL Football Starring Deion Sanders|Prime Time NFL Football]]''
 +
*''[[Venom - Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety|Seperation Anxiety]]''
 +
*''[[Toy Story]]''
 +
*''[[Vectorman]]''
 +
*''[[VR Troopers]]''
 +
*''[[WWF Wrestlemania: The Arcade Game]]''
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Game Genie (Mega Drive) codes==
 +
[[:File:GameGenieMDCodeBook.zip|A copy of Game Genie Mega Drive codes]]
 +
 
 +
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
 +
 
 +
==Promotional material==
 +
<gallery>
 +
Game Genie MD US TVAdvert.mp4|US TV advert
 +
GameGenie_MD_BR_PrintAdvert.jpg|BR print advert
 +
</gallery>
 +
{{gallery
 +
|{{GalleryPrintAd
 +
|egm|39|99
 +
|sv|10|2
 +
}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|gamepro|57|9
 +
}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|cvg|133|11
 +
|cvg|134|5
 +
}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|megaforce|12|9
 +
|megaforce|13|2
 +
}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|megaforce|14|19
 +
|megaforce|15|29
 +
|megaforce|19|75
 +
|megaforce|21|85
 +
}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|megaforcees|11|71
 +
}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|megaforcees|21|93
 +
}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|sfsw|1992-02|2
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Physical scans==
 +
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=US (older)
 +
| front=
 +
| back=
 +
| cart=Game Genie (Genesis, Gold).jpg
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=US (version 2)
 +
| front=Game Genie US MD bluebox front.JPG
 +
| back=GameGenie MD US Box Back Alt.jpg
 +
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| cart=GameGenieMD.jpg
 +
| manual=GameGenie MD US Manual Edition2.pdf
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=US (version 3)
 +
| front=Game Genie US MD box front.jpg
 +
| back=Game Genie US MD box back.jpg
 +
| cart=GameGenieMD.jpg
 +
| manual=Game Genie MD US Manual.jpg
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=UK
 +
| front=
 +
| back=
 +
| cart=GameGenie MD UK Cart.jpg
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=UK (Extra Power)
 +
| front=GameGenieExtraPower MD EU Box Front.jpg
 +
| back=
 +
| cart=GameGenieExtraPower MD EU Cart.jpg
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=FR
 +
| front=GameGenie MD FR Box Front 1993.jpg
 +
| back=GameGenie MD FR Box Back 1993.jpg
 +
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| cart=GameGenie MD FR Cart.jpg
 +
| cartback=GameGenie MD FR Cart Back.jpg
 +
| manual=Game Genie MD FR Manual.pdf
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=ES/PT
 +
| front=GameGenie MD ES-PT Box Front.jpg
 +
| back=
 +
| cart=
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=BR
 +
| front=GameGenie MD BR Box Front.jpg
 +
| back=GameGenie MD BR Box Back.jpg
 +
| spine=GameGenie MD BR Spine.jpg
 +
| cart=GameGenie MD BR Cart.jpg
 +
| cartback=GameGenie MD BR Cart Back.jpg
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=CA
 +
| front=
 +
| back=
 +
| cart=GameGenie MD CA Cart.jpg
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Technical information==
 +
===ROM dump status===
 +
{{romtable|
 +
{{rom|MD|sha1=ea4b0418d90bc47996f6788ad455391d07cad6cc|md5=b5d5ff1147036b06944b4d2cac2dd1e1|crc32=5f293e4c|size=32kB|date=1992-02-19{{intref|Game Genie (Mega Drive)/Hidden content}}|source=Cartridge (US/EU)|comments=Revision 00|icon=|quality=good}}
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{{rom|MD|sha1=937e1878ebd104f489e6bdbc410a184f79f1144a|md5=e8af7fe115a75c849f6aab3701e7799b|crc32=14dbce4a|size=32kB|date=1992-07|source=Cartridge (US/EU)|comments=Revision 01|icon=|quality=good}}
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}}
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==References==
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<references/>
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{{MegaDriveCheat}}
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{{MegaDrive}}

Latest revision as of 08:28, 4 August 2024

  • Accessory
  • Program
GameGenieMD.jpg

Game Genie Screenshot (Genesis).png

Game Genie
Made for: Sega Mega Drive
Manufacturer: Codemasters
Distributor: Galoob (US), Camerica (Canada), Hornby (UK), Famosa (ES, PT)
Type: Cheat tool
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$59.9559.95[1] 7357
Sega Mega Drive
EU
Sega Mega Drive
ES
Sega Mega Drive
FR
Sega Mega Drive
PT
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£44.9544.95[2]
Sega Mega Drive
CA
Sega Mega Drive
BR 		055060

The Mega Drive version of the Game Genie is a specialised cheat cartridge (or "video game enhancer") developed by Codemasters and sold by Galoob that allows the user to manipulate various aspects of games.

Hardware

The Game Genie attaches to the end of a cartridge and is then inserted into the cartridge port of the console for which it was designed.

Upon starting the console, the player may enter a series of characters referred to as a "code" or several such series that reference addresses in the ROM of the cartridge. Each code contains an integer value that is read by the system in place of the data actually present on the cartridge. The Game Genie cannot manipulate RAM, though it can make the console read different values from SRAM.

Because they patch the program code of a game, Game Genie codes are sometimes referred to as patch codes. These codes can have a variety of effects. The most popular codes give the player some form of invulnerability, infinite ammunition, level skipping, or other modifications that allow the player to be more powerful than intended by the developers. In rare cases, codes even unlock hidden game features that developers had scrapped and rendered unreachable in normal play (an example of this is the final Hidden Palace Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 2).

The Game Genie was usually sold with a small booklet of discovered codes for use with the system. However, these booklets would eventually become inadequate as new codes were discovered and new games were released that were not covered. To address this, an update system was implemented, where subscribers would receive quarterly booklet updates for a fee. In addition, Galoob also ran ads in certain gaming publications (such as GamePro) that featured codes for newer games. Today, these codes and many others discovered by players can be found for free online.

On the Sega Mega Drive, the Game Genie can function as a country converter and bypass the TMSS (TradeMark Security System) since most of these games are only "locked" to their respective regions by the shape of the cartridges and a set of a few bytes in the header of the ROM. In other cases, Game Genie codes can be entered to allow a game to be played on any region console.

Hidden content

Main article: Game Genie (Mega Drive)/Hidden content.

History

Though developed by Codemasters, distribution was handled by Camerica in Canada and Galoob in the United States (and Europe, with the help of third-party distributors). Following the controversy of a Nintendo Entertainment System version of the device - of which Nintendo unsuccessfully tried to block, the Mega Drive (and Game Gear enhancer) were adopted by Sega as officially licensed products.

The Game Genie brand has since been discontinued, however the idea lived on through Action Replay and GameShark hacking devices on newer consoles in the years which followed. Game Genie codes have since become a supported feature in most emulators.

Scrapped successor

A new set of Game Genies called "Game Genie 2" were in the works in 1993 which would store codes and not require codes to be entered each time booting up the system. It was also going to have code searching features similar to the Pro Action Replay. This means it could probably alter RAM as searching for codes that affect ROM would have been more difficult. Due to some Game Genies recently being released it was decided to hold off the release of the new version until at least the following year, but wound up being scrapped instead.

Official code books

In the US, Galoob offered a subscription service in which "code updates" would be sent to Game Genie owners quarterly over the course of a year. Generally these books were released to cover new games, i.e. software released after the Game Genie's launch. This service was not unique to Sega console owners. Later Game Genie releases incorporated the codes from these books into the codebook which shipped with the cartridge.

  • Manual and Codebook

  • Manual and Codebook (alternate)

  • Volume 1, No. 1

  • Volume 1, No. 2

  • Volume 1, No. 3

  • Volume 1, No. 4

  • Volume 2, No. 1

  • Volume 2, No. 2

  • Volume 2, No. 3

  • Volume 2, No. 4

  • Volume 3, No. 1

  • Volume 3, No. 2

  • Volume 3, No. 3

  • Volume 3, No. 4

Volume 1, No.1

Volume 1, No.2

Volume 1, No.3

Volume 1, No.4

Volume 2, No.1

Volume 2, No.2

Volume 2, No.3

Volume 2, No.4

Volume 3, No.1

Volume 3, No.2

Volume 3, No.3

Volume 3, No.4

Game Genie (Mega Drive) codes

A copy of Game Genie Mega Drive codes

Magazine articles

Main article: Game Genie (Mega Drive)/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

  • US TV advert

  • BR print advert

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #39: "October 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • (US) #10: "November/December 1992" (1992-xx-xx)[3]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #57: "April 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (UK) #133: "December 1992" (1992-11-15)
also published in:
  • (UK) #134: "January 1993" (1992-12-15)[4]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (FR) #12: "Décembre 1992" (1992-1x-xx)
also published in:
  • (FR) #13: "Janvier 1993" (199x-xx-xx)[5]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (FR) #14: "Février 1993" (1993-0x-xx)
also published in:
  • (FR) #15: "Mars 1993" (1993-0x-xx)[6]
  • (FR) #19: "Ete 1993" (1993-0x-xx)[7]
  • (FR) #21: "Octobre 1993" (1993-10-08)[8]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (ES) #11: "Marzo 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (ES) #21: "Enero 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (SE) #1992-02: "2/92" (1992-11-19)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive, US (older)

Game Genie (Genesis, Gold).jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, US (version 2)
GameGenie MD US Box Back Alt.jpgNospine.pngGame Genie US MD bluebox front.JPG
Cover
GameGenieMD.jpg
Cart
GameGenie MD US Manual Edition2.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US (version 3)
Game Genie US MD box back.jpgGame Genie US MD box front.jpg
Cover
GameGenieMD.jpg
Cart
Game Genie MD US Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, UK

GameGenie MD UK Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, UK (Extra Power)
GameGenieExtraPower MD EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
GameGenieExtraPower MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, FR
GameGenie MD FR Box Back 1993.jpgNospine.pngGameGenie MD FR Box Front 1993.jpg
Cover
GameGenie MD FR Cart Back.jpgGameGenie MD FR Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Genie MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, ES/PT
GameGenie MD ES-PT Box Front.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
GameGenie MD BR Box Back.jpgGameGenie MD BR Spine.jpgGameGenie MD BR Box Front.jpg
Cover
GameGenie MD BR Cart Back.jpgGameGenie MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, CA

GameGenie MD CA Cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 5f293e4c
MD5 b5d5ff1147036b06944b4d2cac2dd1e1
SHA-1 ea4b0418d90bc47996f6788ad455391d07cad6cc
32kB 1992-02-19[9] Cartridge (US/EU) Revision 00
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 14dbce4a
MD5 e8af7fe115a75c849f6aab3701e7799b
SHA-1 937e1878ebd104f489e6bdbc410a184f79f1144a
32kB 1992-07 Cartridge (US/EU) Revision 01

References

  1. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "October 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 26
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Computer & Video Games, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-15), page 12
  3. ↑ Sega Visions, "November/December 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 2
  4. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "January 1993" (UK; 1992-12-15), page 5
  5. ↑ Mega Force, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 2
  6. ↑ Mega Force, "Mars 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 29
  7. ↑ Mega Force, "Ete 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 75
  8. ↑ Mega Force, "Octobre 1993" (FR; 1993-10-08), page 85
  9. ↑ Game Genie (Mega Drive)/Hidden content


Sega Mega Drive cheat code devices
(Pro) Action Replay | Game Genie | Game Wizard | Genipak | Magicard | Vzlomshchik Kodov
Sega Mega Drive
Topics Technical specifications (Hardware comparison) | History | List of games | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Merchandise | Cartridges | TradeMark Security System
Hardware Japan | North America | Western Europe | Eastern Europe | South America | Asia | South Korea | Australasia | Africa
EZ Games | Genesis 3 | LaserActive | Mega Jet | Mega PC | Mega Play | Mega-Tech System | Mega 6 | Nomad | Teradrive | Mega Drive Mini | Mega Drive Mini 2
New Mega Drive | Tianli VCD/DVD Players | "Consoles on a chip" | Licensed clones (Magic 2 | Mega Game II | Power Pegasus | Super Bitman)
Unlicensed clones
Add-ons Game Box | Power Base Converter | Mega-CD | 32X (Mega-CD 32X) | Mega Modem | Demo System DS-16
Cases Sega Genesis Nomad Carrying Case | System Carry Case
Controllers Control Pad | Six Button Control Pad | 6 Button Arcade Pad | Arcade Power Stick 6B | Konami Justifier | MK-1470
Action Chair | Activator | Arcade Power Stick | Keyboard | MegaFire | Mouse | Mega Stick | Menacer | Remote Arcade System | Ten Key Pad | Third Party Controllers
Accessories 4 Way Play | AC adaptor | Cleaning System | Control Pad Extension Cord | Game Factory | Genesis Speakers | Headset | HeartBeat Catalyst | Microphone | Region converter cartridges | Mega Terminal | Nomad PowerBack | RF Unit | SCART Cable | Stereo Audio Video Cable | Team Player | Video Monitor Cable | Third-party AC adaptors | Third Party Accessories
Network services Sega Channel | Sega Game Toshokan | Mega Anser | Mega Net | TeleBradesco Residência | XB∀ND
Development tools ERX 308P | ERX 318P | Sprobe | SNASM68K | SNASM2 (Mega Drive) | SNASM2 (32X) | PSY-Q Development System (Mega Drive) | PSY-Q Development System (32X) | 32X CartDev | Sega Mars Development Aid System | Sega 32X Development Target
Unreleased Edge 16 | Floppy Disk Drive | Mega Play 1010 | Sega VR | Teleplay System | Video Jukebox
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