Overview Dolphin supports GameCube and Wii cheat codes using the Action Replay code format. These codes allow you to modify game memory to enable cheats like infinite health, unlock items, or alter gameplay mechanics.
Enabling Cheats
Open Properties
Right-click a game in the game list and select “Properties”
Go to AR Codes Tab
Navigate to the “AR Codes” tab
Add Codes
Click “Add” or “Edit” to enter cheat codes
Enable Codes
Check the box next to codes you want active
Enable System
Ensure “Enable Cheats” is checked in Config > General
Action Replay codes consist of two-line pairs in hexadecimal format:
AAAAAAAA : Code type and addressBBBBBBBB : Value to write or compare
Example Codes 04012345 00000063 # Write value 0x63 to address 0x80012345 00023000 00000312 # Fill 3 bytes at 0x80023000 with 0x12
Memory Range GameCube memory range:
Cached : 0x80000000 - 0x817FFFFFUncached : 0xC0000000 - 0xC17FFFFF
Action Replay uses simplified offsets 0x00000000 - 0x017FFFFF with code type prefix.
Most codes write to the cached range (0x80000000 base).
Data Sizes
8-bit (Byte) : 0x12 (0-255)16-bit (Halfword) : 0x1234 (0-65535)32-bit (Word) : 0x12345678 (0-4294967295)
Alignment Requirements
8-bit : Any address16-bit : Address must be multiple of 2 (ends in 0,2,4,6,8,A,C,E)32-bit : Address must be multiple of 4 (ends in 0,4,8,C) Misaligned codes may fail or crash. Basic Code Types RAM Write Codes Write values directly to memory.
8-bit Write (00)
16-bit Write (02)
32-bit Write (04)
00XXXXXX NNNNNNVV Writes byte VV to address 0x80XXXXXX, repeated NNNNNN+1 times Example: 00006500 00000312 Writes 0x12 to addresses: 0x80006500, 0x80006501, 0x80006502, 0x80006503
Addition Codes Add values to existing memory.
8-bit Add (80)
16-bit Add (82)
32-bit Add (84)
80XXXXXX 000000VV Loads byte at address, adds VV, stores result (masked to 8-bit) Example: 80012340 00000005 Adds 5 to byte at 0x80012340
Conditional Codes Execute following codes only if conditions are met.
If Equal Single-line If Equal (08/0A/0C)
Two-line If Equal (48/4A/4C)
Multi-line If Equal (88/8A/8C)
08XXXXXX 000000VV # 8-bit 0AXXXXXX 0000VVVV # 16-bit 0CXXXXXX VVVVVVVV # 32-bit If value at address equals VV/VVVV/VVVVVVVV, execute next code Example: 0C012340 00000001 # If word at 0x80012340 equals 1 04012344 00000063 # Then write 99 to 0x80012344
If NOT Equal Single-line If NOT Equal (10/12/14)
Two-line If NOT Equal (50/52/54)
Multi-line If NOT Equal (90/92/94)
10XXXXXX 000000VV # 8-bit 12XXXXXX 0000VVVV # 16-bit 14XXXXXX VVVVVVVV # 32-bit If value does NOT equal, execute next code
Comparison Codes
18XXXXXX 000000VV # 8-bit (actually unsigned due to AR bug) 1AXXXXXX 0000VVVV # 16-bit signed 1CXXXXXX VVVVVVVV # 32-bit signed 58/5A/5C - Two-line version 98/9A/9C - Multi-line version
8-bit “signed” comparison is actually unsigned due to AR bug.
20XXXXXX 000000VV # 8-bit (actually unsigned due to AR bug) 22XXXXXX 0000VVVV # 16-bit signed 24XXXXXX VVVVVVVV # 32-bit signed 60/62/64 - Two-line version A0/A2/A4 - Multi-line version
28XXXXXX 000000VV # 8-bit: 0-255 2AXXXXXX 0000VVVV # 16-bit: 0-65535 2CXXXXXX VVVVVVVV # 32-bit: 0-4294967295 68/6A/6C - Two-line version A8/AA/AC - Multi-line version
30XXXXXX 000000VV # 8-bit 32XXXXXX 0000VVVV # 16-bit 34XXXXXX VVVVVVVV # 32-bit 70/72/74 - Two-line version B0/B2/B4 - Multi-line version
38XXXXXX VVVVVVVV If (value_at_address AND VVVVVVVV) != 0, execute next code 78XXXXXX - Two-line version B8XXXXXX - Multi-line version
Advanced Code Types Pointer Codes Write to addresses stored at other addresses.
40XXXXXX NNNNNNVV # 8-bit pointer write 42XXXXXX NNNNVVVV # 16-bit pointer write 44XXXXXX VVVVVVVV # 32-bit pointer write Loads pointer address from 0x80XXXXXX, then writes to [pointer + offset] Example: 44012340 12345678 Loads address from 0x80012340, then writes 0x12345678 to that address
Fill & Slide Write repeating values with incrementing addresses/values.
00000000 8XXXXXXX Y1Y2Y3Y4 Z1Z2Z3Z4 Address: 8XXXXXXX (size in bits 25-26) Value: Y1Y2Y3Y4 Address increment: Z3Z4 (signed) Value increment: Z1 (signed) Repeat count: Z2 Example: 00000000 84012340 00000001 02050010 Writes to 0x84012340 with 32-bit size: Value 0x01, repeat 5 times, incrementing address by 0x10, incrementing value by 2 each time
Master Code Modify how codes are executed (advanced).
C4XXXXXX NNNNTTMM MM = Master Code Number (0x00-0x0F) TT = Type (0-3) NN = Codes to execute per cycle Types: 0 - Branch to subroutine 1 1 - Backup 4 ASM lines, branch to main 2 - Branch to subroutine 1 copy 3 - Branch to main routine start
Master codes are complex and can crash games if misconfigured. Use with caution.
Special Codes End of Codes 00000000 00000000 Terminates code execution, returns control to game
Normal Execution 00000000 40000000 Ends multi-line conditional blocks Resets execution mode to normal
Execute All Codes 00000000 60000000 Executes all codes without returning to game Until another mode change occurs
Practical Examples Infinite Health
Max Money on Button Press
Conditional Unlock
Level-Up Loop
04123456 000003E7 Writes 999 to health address at 0x80123456
Finding Code Addresses
Use Dolphin's Memory Tools
Tools > Cheats Manager > “Start New Search”
Narrow Down Values
Search for known values (health, money, etc.)
Perform actions in-game and search again
Identify Address
When you find the address, note it down
Create Code
Use appropriate code type to modify the value
Code Databases Pre-made codes available at:
Gecko Codes : Common cheat code databaseGCT Files : Pre-compiled code collectionsCommunity Forums : Game-specific code repositories
Always verify codes are for the correct game region (NTSC-U, PAL, NTSC-J).
Troubleshooting
Verify “Enable Cheats” is checked in Config > General
Check codes are enabled (checked) in AR Codes tab
Ensure code is for correct game region
Verify address alignment is correct
Disable all codes and re-enable one at a time
Check for alignment errors (16/32-bit codes)
Verify addresses are valid (0x80000000-0x817FFFFF)
Remove master codes if present
Address may change between game versions
Value may be overwritten by game logic
Try using pointer codes if direct write fails
Search for address again using memory tools
Best Practices
Test codes individually before combiningBack up save files before using cheatsUse minimal codes to reduce conflictsDisable codes when not neededDocument addresses for future reference
Some codes can corrupt save files or cause permanent game glitches. Use with caution and keep backups.
TAS Tools Frame-by-frame control and input recording
Graphics Mods Visual modifications and enhancements