What code unlocks all missions & special features in *Medal of Honor: Rising Sun*? For Xbox, it's TUSKFISH. For GameCube and PS2... nobody knows! I reverse engineered the game's hashing system, but finding the answer required a surprising amount of biology... 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

The long-awaited cheat codes for Mighty Hits are revealed at last! @bbayles.bsky.social tells us how to unlock the stage select and master difficulty in Under the Microscope: www.segasaturnshiro.com/2026/04/13/u... #sega #saturn #segasaturn #retrogaming #retrogames #videogames #セガ #セガサターン

I found some heretofore-unreported cheat codes for the various versions *Mighty Hits*: * Stage select (Saturn) * Unlock Master mode (Saturn PAL version) * Auto fire mode (PlayStation Special Edition version) * Wide 4:3 mode (PlayStation NTSC-J version) 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

There was a pre-release preview of *Test Drive 5* on a PSX demo disc. I patched out its restrictions and found that it's got some cool hidden stuff, like a hidden menu labeled "Oh Arse" that lets you toggle special debugging functions. 32bits.substack.com/p/extending-...

*CART: Flag to Flag* for Dreamcast has a hidden debug menu. Alas, it's inaccessible – there's not even a cheat code for it. Never fear: I've made a patch that enables it. Among the debug features are a 3D model viewer, a track editor, and a free camera mode. 32bits.substack.com/p/expansion-...

Our friend @bbayles.bsky.social considerately waited until after our March community challenge ended before revealing a never before known cheat code for Virtual Casino. Check it out in Under the Microscope: www.segasaturnshiro.com/2026/04/06/u... #sega #saturn #segasaturn #retrogaming #セガ #セガサターン

Sega Saturn SHIRO! recently featured *Virtual Casino* for its community challenge. One prize was for getting the game's credits. Nobody cheated by asking me for a shortcut. But there is one! 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

The preview of the fighting game *Vs* on the Official PSX Magazine Demo #24 has a build of the game 12 weeks older than the final. I patched out the demo limits to make everything playable. There are some cool differences and you can see unfinished elements. 32bits.substack.com/p/extending-...

I found an unreported cheat code *Elemental Gearbolt* on PSX. It enables the bonus options and debug controls: * Select: Free camera * Circle/Triangle: Decrease/increase health * R2: Speed up The Any % speedrun record is about to get a lot faster... 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

You saw that new Quake prototype that got dumped last week, right? @bbayles.bsky.social already dove into it looking for cheat codes, and he writes about some interesting findings in today's Under the Microscope: www.segasaturnshiro.com/2026/03/30/u... #sega #saturn #segasaturn #retrogaming #セガサターン

A new “65% complete” version of Quake for Saturn was recently made available. I know what you’re wondering: does it have any cheat codes? Yes! There's even one that doesn't appear in the final, a framerate counter. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Here's a cheat for *Project: Horned Owl* on PSX that seems to have gone unnoticed for 30 years. * At the main menu, highlight "Controls". * While holding L1+R2+Left, press Start. You’ll get an "Extra Controls" menu with a level select, debug mode, and more! 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Here's a previously unreported cheat code for *Jet X2O * on PS2: * Start a new World Tour event from the main menu. * Create a New Player File * Enter your name as "Unlock" (hold L1 for capital letters) All riders, levels, and jet skis will become available. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Here's a previously unreported cheat code for *Stunt GP* on PlayStation 2: * Navigate to 1 Player > Time Trial in the menu * Enter your name as "SGP" * Back out and enter it again as "NOW" All vehicles and tracks will be unlocked! 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Saucy Saturn players may have encountered this already — when you try to enter your favorite activity into the high score table and the game censors you! @bbayles.bsky.social takes a look at what you can't say in a #Sega #Saturn game: www.segasaturnshiro.com/2026/03/23/u... #segasaturn #セガサターン

When doing reverse engineering, it’s good find code that does something you understand. That’s why I search binaries for naughty words. Why? Many games prevent you from entering SEX or XXX on high score screens. I've now catalogued various types of censorship... 32bits.substack.com/p/what-you-c...

SONIC WEEKLY podcast is back again with a new episode: * Sonic Rumble... Party? * Welcoming the Smurfs fans, wherever they may be. * Manifesting Tails Doll. * Chaotix Case Files episode 8. podcastaddict.com/sonic-weekly...

Where do baby hedgehogs come from? Not from company mascot contests, despite what you’ve probably heard (tho that was a thing that happened, too). How did Sonic 1 REALLY come to be? Plotting the milestones on a timeline is hard because we have so few concrete dates, but let's connect some dots 🧵

Secrets in one of my favourite games of all time! Back in 1996 I found some secrets myself through hard work and lots of playing: that the Raptor & Raptor vehicle went faster in reverse! blog.gingerbeardman.com/1996/08/06/f...

There's a demo of *Motor Toon Grand Prix 2* that's from 3 months before the final version. It's got different menus, character names, & more. I made a patch that makes more of it playable. It's cool! The same team went on to make *Gran Turismo*. 32bits.substack.com/p/extending-...

The PS2 version of *Batman Vengeance* shipped with debug symbols that make it easy to search for hidden features. I used the symbols to locate a cheat code that activates an Easter egg on the Cinematics screen. I don't think it's been seen since 2001! 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

I, @ryan.makesvideogames.com, am in this one!

A cheat code to select any stage in Thunder Force V has gone unreported for decades — until now, thanks to @bbayles.bsky.social! Find out how to do it in today's Under the Microscope: www.segasaturnshiro.com/2026/03/16/u... #sega #saturn #segasaturn #retrogaming #retrogames #videogames #セガ #セガサターン

There's a cheat code for *Thunder Force V*, the Technosoft shmup, that seems to have gone unnoticed since its release. It works on both Saturn and PlayStation, and lets you choose any starting stage. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

@timeextension.com You may enjoy this... bsky.app/profile/bbay...

There's a PlayStation demo CD with a restricted build of *Ridge Racer*. It's from 3 weeks before the final, making it some of the earliest PlayStation software. I patched out the limits to enable full access. There are lots of differences! 32bits.substack.com/p/extending-...

Croc Cheat Code Goes Undiscovered For Almost 30 Years. (Image: @ArgonautGames_)

Battle Arena Toshinden on the Sega Saturn is hiding some cheats like its prequel, but the ones @bbayles.bsky.social found are a little ... more silly. See what he dug up on Under the Microscope: www.segasaturnshiro.com/2026/03/11/u... #sega #saturn #segasaturn #retrogaming #videogames #セガ #セガサターン

English language cheat sites have codes listed for *Battle Arena Toshinden URA* on Saturn, but they're missing some: * Control the title screen background * Stretch and warp FMVs * Make the “Press Start” text spin * Nullify the "easy secret moves" cheat 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Here's a cheat code for *Croc* on PSX that seems to have escaped notice for 29 years: * On the main menu, press Triangle+Select. * Highlight the new "Credits" item and press Square+Circle. Now you can add position info to the HUD by pausing and pressing Circle. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

There's a demo of *Toy Story 2* on the Official PlayStation Magazine Demo Disc #25. It lets you play one level, but data exists for two more. It's pre-final, and similar to the Winter Jampack '99 demo. Here's a side-by-side video with that one in Andy's Neighborhood.

Most cheat sites list four codes for the Dreamcast version of Unreal Tournament. But is that the full set? No – I found two more in the game data that have been hiding out since 2001! 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

This week, @bbayles.bsky.social discovered previously unknown cheat codes in Battle Arena Toshinden Remix to enable “easy special attacks” during gameplay and a special scene test menu! Find out what they are and how he found them: www.segasaturnshiro.com/2026/03/04/u... #sega #saturn #segasaturn

I know what you're thinking: there can't be any more cheat codes in *Battle Arena Toshinden Remix*. It's been 30 years – they've surely all been found. That's what I thought, too. But there are two more that don't seem to have been documented! 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Brandon returns for a second week, and Jack (of old games) is back! This time, we're going in-depth on the new fan mod, Sonic Megamix Mania. We also cover the latest Sonic news including the arrival of Tangle & Whisper in Sonic Racing CrossWorlds. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...

Tell us what other preservation topics we should discuss! Doing these shows has been really fun.

@timeextension.com You may enjoy... bsky.app/profile/bbay...

Episode 2 of the HIDDEN PALACE podcast is out! Check it out for a discussion with experts and enthusiasts about: * The cool things that were found in the Sega ROM Archive. * Why demo discs are underrated when it comes to videogame preservation. hiddenpalace.substack.com/p/hidden-pal...

There's a preview of *Destruction Derby* on the 1995 *PlayStation Picks* demo CD. It's normally not interactive, but flipping a bit will allow you to play it. It seems to be the earliest available build of this game! I made a patch that flips the right bit: 32bits.substack.com/p/extending-...

Here's a new "unlock everything" code for *MX 2002* on PlayStation 2. At the title screen: L1+Circle, L1+Up, L1+Left, R1+Down Select, L1+Right, Triangle, Select L1+Triangle, Left, Left This is spelling out "OPEN IT ALL" with the game's custom letter entry system. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

I apologize to the 3 Ninjas fan community for the harm I've caused. youtube.com/shorts/bS_sJ...

The cheat sites are pretty confused about what codes work for the two *Championship Motocross featuring Ricky Carmichael* games for PlayStation, so I dove into the game data to figure out how to actually unlock everything. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Attention Last Bronx fans! In today's Under the Microscope, @bbayles.bsky.social gives us a look at development a few weeks before the fighter's Japanese launch by hacking into the Flash Sega Saturn Vol. 18 demo disc: www.segasaturnshiro.com/2026/02/23/u... #sega #saturn #segasaturn #retrogaming

There's a non-playable demo of *Last Bronx* on the Flash Sega Saturn #18 demo disc. I made a patch that lets you take control and play through the full game! It's a build that's six weeks older than the final, and has some interesting differences. 32bits.substack.com/p/extending-...

The cheat sites were totally out to lunch on RoboCop (2003). I found the full set of codes for Xbox, PlayStation 2, and GameCube. 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

Medal of Honor Underground tries its cheat passwords. Instead of storing them in plaintext, it only keeps the CRC32 checksums of them. I ran a meet-in-the-middle attack against the checksums. It yielded new codes for some of the cheat effects! 32bits.substack.com/p/under-the-...

First episode of a new show about video game preservation: Bo sits down with Saz, Nic and drx to discuss how Hidden Palace grew from a Sonic-obsessed corner of the early internet into a community archive of prototypes and development history. hiddenpalace.substack.com/p/hidden-pal...

PlayStation owners had an easy cheat code to access Impact Racing's debug menu, but the Saturn version is a little less easily accessible. Find out what @bbayles.bsky.social did to track it down in his latest Under the Microscope: www.segasaturnshiro.com/2026/02/16/u... #sega #saturn #segasaturn

There's a debug mode hidden inside *Impact Racing* that lets you tweak physics, car parameters, and more. A GameShark hacker figured out how to make it display on PSX, but not on Saturn. I made a patch that makes it available! Tweak to your heart's content. 32bits.substack.com/p/expansion-...