🎮 How to install cheats in RetroArch: master your impossible games!
Remember that NES final boss you could never beat? Or that Crash Bandicoot level on PS1 that made you throw the controller out of the window? With RetroArch, the universal emulator, you can relive the magic of those games… and add cheats to make them fun from start to finish!
At Bytechip we show you how.
What is RetroArch and why use it for cheats?
RetroArch is an "all-in-one" program that lets you play almost any retro console. The best part is that it has a built-in cheats function which, once configured, is pure magic! You do not need to memorise codes or look for Game Genies.
Step-by-step guide: how to put cheats in your games
1. Update the cheat files (very important!)
RetroArch has a database of cheats that you have to keep up to date.
- Open RetroArch.
- Go to the main menu (Menu > Online Updater > Update Cheats).
- Wait for them to download.
2. Load your game and the right core
- Load the game you want to "cheat" (Main menu > Load Content).
- Make sure you are using the correct core for that game (for example, PCSX ReARMed for PS1, Nestopia for NES).
3. Enable the cheats
- Once the game is running, open the Quick Menu (usually with HotKey + X or the F1 key on PC).
- Scroll down and select Cheats.
- Make sure the option Apply Cheats on Load is set to YES.
4. Find and enable specific cheats
- Inside the Cheats menu, select Load Cheat File (Replace).
- A list will appear with all the cheats available for that game (infinite lives, invincibility, higher jumps, etc.).
- Select the cheats you want to enable.
- Once selected, go back to the Cheats menu and select Apply Changes. That's it!
5. Save your cheat configuration (optional, but recommended)
If you want those cheats to activate every time you play that title:
- In the Cheats menu, select Save Core Cheat File (if you want the cheats to apply to all games on that console) or Save Game Cheat File (if you want them to apply only to that specific game).
⚠️ Bytechip warning
Using too many cheats at once can make the game slow down or freeze. Use them in moderation (or don't)!