Someone Found A Hidden Cheat Code In A 28 Year Old Donkey Kong Game

Image: Nintendo

Surprise! A new, previously undocumented cheat code has been discovered in the classic Super Nintendo game Donkey Kong Country 2 nearly three decades after it hit store shelves.

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Suggested ReadingDonkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest was first released nearly 30 years ago in 1985 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The Rare-developed platformer sequel with pseudo 3D graphics was a big hit at the time and is still fondly remembered today. I mean the music in that game alone makes it really special. And now, someone has found a hidden cheat code in DKC2.

As spotted by Time Extension, Twitter user tnkt_kong shared the discovery on social media, providing a video of the newly discovered cheat code in action. However, the hidden code was actually discovered by Discord user h4voc21.

The newly discovered Donkey Kong 2 cheat code lets you return to the map screen even if you haven’t completed the current level. Here’s how you input and activate the cheat, via a tnkt_kong’s initial tweet.

During the pause screen, press:

Right + YLeft + AUp + BDown + XYou can return to the map screen by entering this command (even if you haven’t completed the course yet)

If entered correctly, you’ll hear a noise and immediately be taken back to the map screen regardless of where you are in the level or your progress. It might not be the most useful cheat code ever discovered, but it’s still neat that a beloved retro game like Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest was holding on to at least one last secret that took decades to discover.

The timing of this discovery is interesting, too. DKC2 was added to the Nintendo Switch Online catalog in 2021 and new icons were just added last week. And its music is available in Nintendo’s Spotify-like music app out now on Android and iOS. There’s something in the water, I guess.

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