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PS2 Gameshark

The codes I am trying to use are not working for me. Am I doing anything wrong?

This document will help you with code issues you might be having. There are many variables that would cause codes to fail. It will also teach you how to add a new game that is not pre-loaded on your disc.

Most of the info below can be also be found at the Gameshark forums – the best place to get help with codes:

PS/2 Code Problems/Issues

There are 2 types of Gameshark codes. – Codes that are already on your disc and codes that you retrieve from Gameshark.com and add yourself using your controller or a USB keyboard. Some of the below will apply to both types of codes and other content will be code type specific.

If codes are pre-loaded:

1. The revision of the game you have does not match the codes you are using.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is one example. If you have Gameshark 2, version 4, Vice City is pre-loaded on the Gameshark disc. If your copy of Vice City was released after the Version 4 Gameshark, you will most likely need to use one of the other 2 code sets that were created for that game. Unless you are using the right set of codes, they will not work. This is true of Greatest Hits editions of games as well. Unless the codes specifically say they are for the Greatest Hits edition of a game, the codes might not work and a new set of codes would need to be created* To see what version game you have – take a look at the back of the game disc. Not the case, the disc itself. Look for PDSS or PTRM. You will then see another string of numbers and letters. Keep going past this string and you will see a number all by itself. This is your revision number and if it is something other than 1, it could be that the revision of the game you have will require an alternate set of codes.

2. You are activating too many codes or not activating them at all.

Codes will not take effect unless they are flashing. From the main menu, when you hit X on Select Game or Expert Cheat Mode, you will see a list of all the games available. When you find your game, highlight it with your D-pad. Do not press X on the game title as this will activate all of the codes for that game which in most instances is too many. Even if you activate only 2 codes, they might conflict with each other. So instead of hitting X on the game title, press to the right with your D-pad to make the individual code list appear. Now choose the codes you want to use and hit X on them so they start to blink. Once the codes you want to use are flashing, hit the Start button on your controller. This will take you back to the main menu. Hit X on Start Game and then just follow the on screen instructions. It might take you a few tries to see what codes will work with each other. Start with just a few codes and then you can go back and activate more codes until you find out what works best for you.

3. The game you are playing requires you to start a new game before codes will take effect.

For certain games, you cannot have any previously saved game data on your memory card before the cheats will take effect. Try deleting any game data from your memory card and then activating the codes.

4. The code you are trying to use requires something special in order to take effect.

If a code needs something out of the ordinary in order to work, there will be instructions on the site or on the disc. The message boards at Gameshark.com is another place to find instructions for codes. The unlock all characters cheat for Mortal Kombat: Deception is an example. The code will not work unless you start a new profile, logout of the profile you just created and then log back in. Just pay attention to any special instructions if you see them.

If you are adding codes yourself**, taken from Gameshark.com (we are not responsible for unofficial codes taken from alternate websites)

1. The codes you are trying to input do not match the version of the Gameshark you have. Take a look at your Gameshark disc. If your Gameshark is current, the version number will be clearly visible on the disc and it will be one of 3 different versions.

• Gameshark 2, Version 3
• Gameshark 2, Version 4

Both of the above versions use identical code

• Gameshark 2, Game Codes (With Media Player Software or Broadband Enabled) For this version of the Gameshark, the first line (and sometimes the second) of any code, whether it is the Master code or inf. Health, will begin with a 7. Make sure any codes you retrieve from Gameshark.com start with a 7 if you have this version. If you have Gameshark 2, version 3 or 4, make sure any codes you input do not begin with a 7.

2. You forgot to add the Master Code – this is always first on the code list at Gameshark.com and must be entered first when you are creating a new game listing. You will not find the [ ] on the Gameshark’s virtual keyboard. They are not needed. You can just use M if you want. The name of the game or code can be anything you choose, just so you know what it stands for. Only the actual code has to be exact. Zero and O are the same – you cannot make a mistake

3. You did not enter the entire code. Some codes are more than one line long. If you see a code listed at the site, whether it is 1 line of code or 32 lines of code, you need to input the entire code in the same order it appears on the site.

4. You might have made an error when you entered the codes. Double and triple check your codes. When you are putting in multiple lines of code, it can be easy to leave out an entire line or use an 8 instead of a B which will cause the code to fail. If the error occurs in the Master Code, it will cause all the other codes to fail and nothing will work for you.

5. You need to reset your PS2. Sometimes you must enter the codes and then save them to your PS2 memory card. Then reset the PS2. When it comes back on, activate your new codes as you normally would.

*To request codes for games – please do not contact tech support as they do not create the codes. Instead, go to the Gameshark Forum

This is where you can get in contact with the Code Hackers who make the codes that you love to use. See if codes have been requested for the games you want. If your game hasn’t already been requested or you want to see another code created, you will need to become a free member so you can post a code request.

** To add a new game that is not pre-loaded onto your disc, follow the steps below. Separate instructions are included for each type of PS2 gameshark:

Before you begin, follow this checklist to ensure full compatibility with the Playstation 2 Gameshark product.

1. Make sure you own a PS2 Gameshark manufactured by Mad Catz Inc. Any PS2 Gameshark version 3.0 or higher is made by the Mad Catz Company. Playstation 2 Gamesharks lower than the 3.0 were manufactured by another company called InterAct Accessories. InterAct Gamesharks are not compatible with any cheat codes Mad Catz officially releases for the Gameshark. You can find the name of the manufacturer on the Gameshark disc or within the instruction manual you received with the product.
2. Only use codes officially released by Mad Catz for your PS2 Gameshark. We cannot guarantee that any cheats from unofficial sources will be compatible with our product. Your best official source for Gameshark codes will be the www.gameshark.com website.
3. Make sure you have your Playstation 2 Memory Card inserted into the first memory card slot. After adding the codes to the Gameshark, this information will need to be saved on the card. Make sure you are using an officially licensed PS2 card to save this data; any card bearing the “Magic Gate” label should be compatible with the Gameshark.

Once you have gone through the checklist above, begin by inserting the Gameshark disc into the Playstation 2 and proceed following the steps below.

Gameshark 2, Version 3 or 4:

1. Choose "Select Game" on the main menu and press [X] on the controller.
2. The alphabetical game list should appear now. Press [circle] on the controller to add the new game title. Enter the new of the new game title using the virtual keyboard that shows up on the screen.
3. Move the cursor over the new game title created. Push [right] on the D-pad of the controller to bring up a blank screen with the game title headlining the top of the screen. This is the Cheat Description screen of the game title.
4. On the Cheat Description screen, push [circle] to enter the name of the new cheat. Use the keyboard that appears to name the cheat. In most cases, this first cheat will be the “[M] Must Be On” or the “Master” code.
5. Once the cheat name is entered, with the cursor over the new cheat name, push [right] on the D-pad to bring up another blank screen. This time, the cheat name will be headlining the top of the screen. This is the code entry screen.
6. On this new screen, press [circle] to enter the 16 character cheat code. Use the virtual keyboard and cursor on the screen to enter this information.
7. If the cheat code consists of multiple lines, you will need to enter all of the lines to complete the cheat code. To enter multiple lines, go back to the code entry screen. You will notice the first line of code will now be present on this screen. Press [circle] once again on the controller and proceed to enter the second line of the code. Once this line is entered, it will appear underneath the first line of code previously put in.
8. Repeat steps 4 thru 7 until you have completed adding the codes you want on the Gameshark.
9. If at any point you wish to save the new information entered on the Gameshark, press [start] on the game controller. As long as you have an officially licensed PS2 memory card plugged into memory card slot one, the Gameshark will automatically ask you to save the information entered.

Gameshark 2, Game Codes W/ Media Player or Broadband Enabled or Cheat Codes:

1. Choose Expert Cheat Mode on the main menu and press [X] on the controller.
2. The alphabetical game list should appear now. Press [circle] on the controller and press [X] on Add. You will now see the virtual keyboard and New Game will be at the top of the screen. Use the arrow at the top right of the keyboard to delete the words New Game. Now enter the title of the game you are adding then press [X] on the middle arrow (enter) at the right of the keyboard.
3. The title you just entered will appear in alphabetical order in the Expert Cheat Mode menu. Move the cursor over the game title you just created. Push [right] on the D-pad of the controller to bring up a blank screen with the game title headlining the top of the screen. This is the Cheat Description screen of the game title.
4. On the Cheat Description screen, push [circle] then press [X] on Add so you can enter the name of the new cheat. Just like when you entered the game title, use the keyboard to get rid of New Cheat so you can enter the name of the cheat you are adding. You always want the Master code to be first on your list. When you get codes from our website, this is always the first cheat listed. Just title it M for Master then press [X] on the enter arrow on the keyboard.
5. You will then be taken to a new screen. You will see the name of the game at the top and the M code directly under it. Move cursor over the new cheat name, push [right] on the D-pad to bring up another blank screen. This time, the cheat name will be headlining the top of the screen. This is the code entry screen.
6. On this new screen, press [circle] and then press [X] on Add in order to enter the 16 character cheat code. Use the virtual keyboard and cursor on the screen to enter this information. Do not worry about the space, it will take care of itself. Just type all 16 digits in a row. When you have the first line of code in, press the enter arrow which is now found at the bottom right corner of the virtual keyboard.
7. You will now see a screen that has the cheat title at the top and the first line of code you just entered. If the cheat code consists of multiple lines, you will need to enter all of the lines to complete the cheat code. To enter multiple lines, press [circle] on this screen and then press [X] on Add. Enter the second line of the code then hit enter on the keyboard. Once this line is entered, it will appear underneath the first line of code previously put in. Press Left on the D-pad to get back to the Cheat Description screen so you can begin entering a new cheat.
8. Repeat steps 4 thru 7 until you have completed adding the codes you want on the Gameshark.
9. If at any point you wish to save the new information entered on the Gameshark, press [start] on the game controller. As long as you have an officially licensed PS2 memory card plugged into memory card slot one, the Gameshark will automatically ask you to save the information entered.

If after trying all of the above tips your codes still do not work, there could be a problem with the codes themselves. Occasionally mistakes do occur and codes need to be changed or updated if they were translated to the disc or website incorrectly. If you can’t get codes working, check the message boards at http://boards.gameshark.com/ and see if anybody else has the same issues or the Code Hackers can offer some insight. Every game is different so there might be something else you need to do get codes to activate. The Code Hackers need to be informed when codes are problematic so they can attempt to fix them. Here is where you can report codes issues:

PS/2 Code Problems/Issues

Date Created: 6/7/2005

Last Updated: 4/11/2006