Xaotik Designs

Since the beginning of gaming, there have been cheat codes and in games secrets that helped players out or changed the gaming experience.  While some, like the Konami Code, are pretty well known, they are usually kept secret, only available after someone else finds them and tells their friends.  They were a staple of games back in the day, not so much anymore however.

Nintendo appears to be bringing them back, but not quite in the same way.  Instead of making them a secret item, it’s become a feature of the game:

“Beginning with the upcoming New Super Mario Bros. Wii (due this holiday season), players will be able to pause a game during a particularly difficult level and let the game take over to complete the level. Press a button at any time to resume playing. This will help reduce barriers of entry for new or younger players – without purchasing a strategy guide or resorting to websites that list cheat codes.”  Via USA Today

Nintendo is building cheating right into the game, just pause, and it’s there.  And it’s not even cheating like the old codes were.  The old codes may have given you unlimited ammo, infinite life, or other reality altering options, but you still played the game.  With the new Wii Demo Mode, you just watch while the game plays for you.  The article states that it’s for the hard parts, but it doesn’t specify if you can turn it on anytime you want, thus turning the entire game into a long movie, or only for what they deem as the hard parts.

I don’t really care for this, at least on God Mode, you are still playing the game.  You aren’t just watching what would amount to nothing but cut scenes of all the action.  If I wanted to just watch a game, I’d call a friend and have them play for me.  Why not just bring back cheat codes.  Let people put in cheats get the benefit, and cancel them when they are done?