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Top 10 Cheat Codes That Would Be Awesome in Real Life

Published

1 month ago

March 20, 2025

Back in the day, we had things like Game Genies, Action Replays, and CodeBreakers to give us that extra edge when playing video games of old. But what if we had a similar set of cheat codes in real life? Which codes would be at the top of our list? It’s a very interesting subject when you think about it, and this list was a bit harder to come up with than I originally thought it would be. With that said, here are my top 10 cheat codes that I wish were usable in real life:

10. No Fog Mode

This one actually can be played a few different ways, so I’ll cheat a little (see what I did there?) and address both. Firstly, let’s imagine what it would be like to never have brain fog- to be sharp and precise, without distraction- no thoughts, worries, fears, or clouded judgement. We could accomplish so much, make better decisions, and get a lot farther in life, just by virtue of how much clarity this cheat code would provide.

Secondly, let’s look at No Fog Mode as it was casually referred to in gaming- we can always see the full view of the map. This means, no need for GPS, you always know where you (and depending on the game, the cops!) are, where the stores are, etc.. In a world where we are so dependent upon GPS for our travels, what if we didn’t need it? (Hint: we don’t, we could just learn to read paper maps again, that’s another article for another time!).

9. Slow Motion Mode

Imagine being able to stop any situation, at any moment, and throw it into slow motion. The mistakes we could avoid, the situations we could escape, and that’s not even considering the impact this cheat would have on traffic accidents! In a world where everything is “move move move”, I think Slow Motion Mode would be terrific. Think what it was like to be a kid, where everything was so slow and took too long. Little did we know, we didn’t want the clock to speed up like it did as we got older. This cheat would solve that dilemma.

8. Fast Mode

Like Slow Mode, but in reverse. Imagine when you set out to do something that naturally takes, well, forever (looking at you, losing weight!). Imagine if we could just put that into fast mode, where it all happens very quickly without you having been subject to the daily grind for a period of months? I’m not sure what the psychological ramifications are of having that capability, but hey- I’d want this cheat code in my back pocket!

7. Infinite Stamina

The applications here are…numerous. Play it as it stands!

6. Level Select

Imagine being able to jump around to different portions of your life at will. What would you do? Revisit childhood? Go see what it’s like to be retired? Go back in time to all of your best (and maybe worst, if you want to fix something) moments at the snap of a finger? I would consider this cheat to be more wide-ranging and would want full on time travel capability beyond just the timeline of my own life, but this would certainly be awesome.

5. Anti-Gravity Mode

Imagine if gravity was gone, and we just got to float around everywhere. How many viscous arguments do you think would happen? Two people get down and ready to fight, only to float so slow that it’s probably more humorous than anything else. Think about the end of arthritis, or the ability to slam dunk or climb a mountain at will. Lots of fun options here if that cheat existed.

4. Infinite Money

I know, I know, you’d think that this would be number one. But it isn’t. Stating the obvious, I think it’d be awesome to never run out of money and be able to do, whatever it is you want to do, forever, without worrying about how to survive. At the same time though, I do think having the ability to buy what you want whenever you want, does inherently reduce the anticipation, excitement, and reward of many things in your life. Sure, maybe it’d be incredible for a few months, or a few years even- but imagine you travelled the world and bought whatever you felt like along the way, including mansions and whatnot. So once you’re done, what next? Don’t get me wrong, this cheat deserves to be in the top 5, but you need a bit more substance to get into the top 3.

3. Unlock Hidden Characters

In the great adventure of life, how many people did you meet (or not) along the way? What if you went in a different direction 10 years ago? How many new friends, enemies, and acquaintances would you meet? What other experiences would you have had? Think about walking down a busy street full of strangers, and you just jumped in front of one and fell on the ground or something. What new sets of people will you meet as a result of that one crazy move? I think this cheat in particular would be awesome to play out the “what if” scenarios. Stacked with Level Select, this would probably give you a glimpse of an entirely new life (or sets of lives) that you were oh so close to having, but didn’t.

2. Infinite Time

What good are slowing down and speeding up cheats, if you still only have a finite amount of time? What if you had all the time in the world, would you be doing things differently today? And imagine if you stacked an infinite amount of time cheat, with slow motion and fast mode cheats? I think things would probably get to Inception-level confusion eventually, but the flexibility this one gives us places this cheat in a solid number 2 position.

1. Infinite Lives

Stating the obvious, what if we could just start over, again and again and again, from start to finish? Go through all of the various aspects of life from a fresh perspective each time, cherishing pieces of our lives that great levels of experience taught us to, and blowing past the parts of life that we got so stuck on that we missed some very important parts along the way? They say hindsight is 20/20- if you had a chance to do it all over again with what you know now, how much happier would you be? Some people believe in an afterlife (I do), but one hopes that our experience in this reality is exactly that- time in the tank so we know how to live when we get to do it all over again, right this time.

High Score

Why the Sega Genesis Was the Ultimate ’90s Console (Yes, I said it)

Published

1 day ago

April 27, 2025

80sBrain

In the grand playground debate of the early ’90s, nothing divided friendships faster than one simple question: Sega Genesis or Super Nintendo?

While both systems had their strengths, there was an undeniable cool factor about owning a Sega Genesis. It wasn’t just a game console—it was an indicator of where you stood in the playground social structure. Did you have attitude, or not? With its bold “Genesis does what Nintendon’t” marketing and a library packed with edgy, high-energy games, the Genesis carved out its own lane as the go-to system for kids who wanted a little more excitement and rebellious edge in the 16-bit console wars.

Let’s take a look at exactly why this system came off as “cooler” than the competition:

1. Speed, Style, and Sonic the Hedgehog

Let’s start with the blue blur himself. When “Sonic the Hedgehog” dropped in 1991, it was clear Sega wasn’t here to play nice. While Mario was taking leisurely strolls through the Mushroom Kingdom, Sonic was spinning at breakneck speeds, collecting rings, and loop-de-looping through vibrant, fast-paced levels like Green Hill Zone.

Sonic was cooler, faster, and had way more attitude than his Nintendo rival. The Genesis hardware itself could handle quicker scrolling and more frenetic gameplay, making Sonic’s speed a feature—not a gimmick. By the time “Sonic 2” hit the shelves, that intensely fast gameplay became even more refined, and further sequels on the genesis just kept the intensity up.

Plus, those soundtracks? Absolute bangers.

2. “Genesis Does What Nintendon’t”: The Edgy Marketing That Worked

Sega’s advertising campaign didn’t just sell consoles—it sold rebellion. With the infamous “Genesis does what Nintendon’t” tagline, Sega positioned itself as the cooler, more mature alternative to the family-friendly Super Nintendo.

The commercials were fast-paced, loud, and often chaotic—exactly the vibe that appealed to the MTV generation. Sega leaned into the “bad boy” image, giving the Genesis an aura of danger and edge. It was the console for kids who skateboarded, listened to Guns N’ Roses, and wore their baseball caps backward.

It worked. The Genesis became the console of choice for those who wanted to feel like they were playing something a little more radical.

3. Sports Games That Actually Mattered

If you were into sports in the ’90s, the Genesis was the system to own. The “Madden NFL” series truly came into its own on the Genesis, with smoother gameplay and tighter controls compared to the Super Nintendo versions. Sports fans also had access to titles like “NHL ’94,” often hailed as one of the greatest sports games of all time (and still a favorite for retro tournaments today).

“NBA Jam” on Genesis? Boomshakalaka. While it was available on both platforms, the Genesis controller layout made it feel snappier and more responsive. And for the baseball crowd, “World Series Baseball” offered a level of depth and realism that blew away competitors.

4. Arcade Ports That Felt Like the Real Thing

One area where the Genesis regularly outclassed the SNES was in its ports of arcade hits. Games like “Mortal Kombat” were the stuff of legend—and here’s the kicker: the Genesis version let you enter the infamous “blood code” (A, B, A, C, A, B, B) to unlock the full, gory experience.

Meanwhile, the Super Nintendo’s version swapped out the red blood for gray “sweat,” a move that felt like a major buzzkill to fans of the arcade original. The Genesis didn’t just bring home arcade classics—it brought them home right.

“Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition” also found a solid home on the Genesis, although it didn’t quite hit home as well as Mortal Kombat did.

5. A Killer Library of Exclusives

Beyond Sonic, the Genesis boasted an incredible lineup of exclusives that gave it an edge. “Streets of Rage 2” remains one of the best beat-’em-ups of all time, with satisfying combat, co-op play, and a soundtrack that could easily be mistaken for underground club music.

“Gunstar Heroes,” from Treasure, delivered fast-paced run-and-gun action that rivaled and, in many ways, surpassed SNES’s “Contra III.” The level variety, insane bosses, and creative weapon combinations made “Gunstar Heroes” a standout experience.

RPG fans had “Phantasy Star IV,” a sci-fi epic that gave “Final Fantasy” a run for its money. And let’s not forget “Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master,” a silky-smooth action platformer that showcased just how polished Genesis games could be.

6. Blast Processing and the Power of Perception

OK, let’s talk about “blast processing.” Was it real? Not exactly—but it felt real. Sega’s clever use of the term played into the perception that the Genesis was faster, sleeker, and more powerful than the SNES.

Whether or not “blast processing” was a legit technical advantage, the messaging worked. Games like “Sonic,” “Road Rash,” and “Thunder Force IV” felt quicker and more intense. That sense of speed became part of the Genesis brand identity.

In a way, the myth of blast processing became just as important as any hardware spec sheet.

The Truth: If you owned a Genesis in the 90s, you were cool.

Owning a Genesis in the ’90s felt like you were part of a club—one that didn’t follow the rules. While the Super Nintendo had its fair share of hits (no shade to several Nintendo classics would also become some of the best games of all time), the Genesis brought an edge, an attitude, and a sense of speed that the SNES just couldn’t match.

Genesis does what Nintendon’t—and for many of us, it always will.