Konami code (1986)

added May 18, 2009 at 10:17PM UTC

26 Comments
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Origin

The “Konami Code” otherwise known as the “Contra code”, first appeared in the 1986 release of “Gradius” for the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System, or “Famicom” in Japan.), It is used in many Konami games and Non-Konami games. The most famous use of the code is in the game “Contra”, a two player shooter also for the NES. In Contra it gave you thirty lives, dubbing it the “30 lives code”. There are many variations of the code, used in many games. The code itself is “UP UP, DOWN DOWN, LEFT RIGHT, LEFT RIGHT, B, A, START BUTTON.”

Usage as Easter Egg

The Konami Code has been showing up a lot recently as the preferred method for unlocking cool easter eggs (“bonus” features) on popular websites.

On April 26th, 2009, an unnamed designer working for ESPN.COM created an Easter Egg in which one could “Cornify” the page by entering the Konami code.

As of May 8th, 2009, The Konami Code can be entered into Facebook to activate lens flare effects when you click your mouse.

Using the Konami Code while reading comments on Digg.com automatically expands and collapses all nested replies.

A larger list of sites using the Konami Code can be found at http://konamicodesites.com/

Notable YTMND’s

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26 Comments

neviazsky
May 18, 2009 at 11:20PM UTC , neviazsky wrote:

This code works on Facebook too, simply substitute the start button with enter…and a sweet flare effect is unlocked!

james
May 19, 2009 at 12:55AM UTC , james wrote:

i don’t really see how its a meme, its nostalgia for sure.

Dave Davidson
May 19, 2009 at 03:39PM UTC , Dave Davidson wrote:

Didn’t need the internet to spread.
Not a meme.

Chris Menning
May 19, 2009 at 06:45PM UTC , Chris Menning wrote:

The way this has spread around the internet is very memetic. Let me find more examples of the Konami Code implemented on other websites and you’ll see.

Tylord14
May 19, 2009 at 09:53PM UTC , Tylord14 wrote:

nice this really does work on facebook :D

mystic duck
May 31, 2009 at 09:38AM UTC , mystic duck wrote:

1.up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, START
2.????
3.Profit.

Blast
Jun 11, 2009 at 03:13AM UTC , Blast wrote:

Memes are social phenomenon, newfags. It doesn’t require Internet relevance.

Taryn
Jun 15, 2009 at 01:48AM UTC , Taryn wrote:

Blast, you are a total newfag if you think the SITE ADMINS, don’t know what a meme is, and you are wrong, memes are not social, they’re interwez.

Rick Astley
Jul 09, 2009 at 11:04AM UTC , Rick Astley wrote:

also an addition to this would be the Song called Konami Code by The Gothsicles

Rick Astley
Jul 10, 2009 at 09:38AM UTC , Rick Astley wrote:

Could the Belly Tattoo of the Konami Code have something to do with this video i found on youtube.

Featuring Belly Dancers and the Konami Code song by the Gothsicles ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDuSAMKn_Zo

Cluster OfCephalopods
Jul 27, 2009 at 01:20AM UTC , Cluster OfCephalopods wrote:

Also works on http://www.openededadventure.com

ViktorLC
Jul 27, 2009 at 04:44AM UTC , ViktorLC wrote:

This code is also featured as an Easter Egg in the anime series “Hellsing”.

Jostin Asuncion
Aug 15, 2009 at 05:00AM UTC , Jostin Asuncion wrote:

@ Taryn

Actually, as Urban Dictionary defines it, a meme is:

“A unit of cultural information that represents a basic idea that can be transferred from one individual to another, and subjected to mutation, crossover and adaptation.”

It says nothing about the interwebz. It’s pretty social, too.

Taryn
Aug 15, 2009 at 01:09PM UTC , Taryn wrote:

Jostin, by memes, I meant memes here. As in this site. We don’t take too fond to people telling us what memes are.

KingStarscream
Aug 17, 2009 at 09:46PM UTC , KingStarscream wrote:

I think the simplest way to resolve this issue would be to point out that this is the INTERNET Meme Database. Yes, memes can exist outside of the Internet. However, your arguement is invalid. If they don’t think it’s an INTERNET meme, then it doesn’t have to be on this site.

Chris Menning
Sep 08, 2009 at 01:06AM UTC , Chris Menning wrote:

@Taryn, On this website the issue of what is a meme and what isn’t is constantly up for debate.

foamguy
Oct 24, 2009 at 10:10PM UTC , foamguy wrote:

is gives you nukes on mercenaries 2 ps3 but dont use start

foamguy
Oct 24, 2009 at 10:17PM UTC , foamguy wrote:

or B A because you just cant on ps3

Bomberman
Nov 24, 2009 at 04:38AM UTC , Bomberman wrote:

@ KingStarscream
I agree with you; that this website is for internet memes, and the Konami/Contra/THE code IS A real world MEME like CNFs, but THE code is NOT an internet meme (although, it is used a lot on the internet(as ester eggs, quizzes…)) so therefor dose not belong hear (unless they want to include it for a history (of some sort) of memes, or add other real wold memes to the database)

Bomberman
Nov 24, 2009 at 04:39AM UTC , Bomberman wrote:

@ KingStarscream
I agree with you; that this website is for internet memes, and the Konami/Contra/THE code IS A real world MEME like CNFs, but THE code is NOT an internet meme (although, it is used a lot on the internet(as ester eggs, quizzes…)) so therefor dose not belong here (unless they want to include it for a history (of some sort) of memes, or add other real wold memes to the database)

Logan Zezima
Dec 22, 2009 at 01:24AM UTC , Logan Zezima wrote:

LOL at the UP movie poster!!

Jack Candle
Jan 07, 2010 at 02:23AM UTC , Jack Candle wrote:

The UP poster got it wrong though, it’s “Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start”, not “UP, down, up, down, (the rest)”

Watcher
Jan 07, 2010 at 05:25PM UTC , Watcher wrote:

Try this on KYM. Heh heh heh…

k1llz d4'n00bz
Jan 22, 2010 at 06:41PM UTC , k1llz d4'n00bz wrote:

“I think the simplest way to resolve this issue would be to point out that this is the INTERNET Meme Database. Yes, memes can exist outside of the Internet. However, your arguement is invalid. If they don’t think it’s an INTERNET meme, then it doesn’t have to be on this site.”

or it’s a database of memes and said database is stored on the internet, but not necessarily internet memes. just sayin’. oh, btw, i agree with you, I’ve just been reading “Plato and A Platypus walk into a bar…” which is a philosophy book explained with jokes.

Chi The Cat
Feb 06, 2010 at 09:54AM UTC , Chi The Cat wrote:

lol, internet

ManFly
Feb 06, 2010 at 03:05PM UTC , ManFly wrote:

From NinjaWars
http://apps.facebook.com/ninja-warz/

Konami Komando
Master of the ancient art of Konami!

Talisman of Nerdly Prowess
Proof of your mastery of the art of Konami, the ancient up up down down ritual, +10% attack speed

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