PSX GameShark - "Enhancement CD?"

[NayusDante]

I fired up my PS1 GameShark (v2.1, plugs into the back). I know this isn't the latest version of the unit, but I noticed a "Use Enhancement CD" option in the Explorer. Unfortunately, my later v4.0 CD doesn't seem to be an Enhancement CD. Can this unit be upgraded? I remember that a lot of stuff didn't work on the older model, but I liked having the physical switch. Can I download an ISO somewhere, or does it need to be a retail GameShark CD?

Also, it probably deserves a separate thread, but what's the coolest thing you've done with a cheat device? I haven't messed with these things in years, so I'm itching for some neat stuff to try.

[Rickstilwell1]

I remember the old Gameshark unit saying "use enhancement CD" as well. I never knew what it was talking about.

I have found my own codes for Gameshark CDX for Playstation though. It was when I was playing Beyond the Beyond using Gameshark codes. I wanted the quick level gain codes for all characters and I could only find the codes for a few characters online at the time. But I noticed something. There was a pattern with the values of the numbers and their corresponding characters. I used simple adding and subtracting to find all of the missing max stat codes for each character as well as those quick level gain codes.

While doing the math, I made a mistake and instead of finding a different character's quick level gain code (I think it was Domino) I found Percy's size modifier code that made him giant in battle. His sprite was blown up so large that he was as tall as the TV screen. After finding the normal codes for Domino and the remaining characters I went back doing the math and got the "giant in battle" size modifier codes for each of the 7 other characters.

It is very funny if you use these codes on all 5 current party members at once in battle. They are all touching each other as they move in their standing position and it looks quite odd.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I never owned a PS1, but I do remember messing around with some sort of cheat device with my buddy Chava back in 1998. We saw all of Resident Evil's endings that way and even listened to some music tracks off the disc. Fun stuff.

[Poofta!]

while i cant help you with the cd enhancement problem, i too wish to know the answer!

the coolest thing i remember doing w/ a gameshark was for the n64, getting to an unfinished "secret" level. i thought that was sweet, seeing what the developers were working on but never completed

[The 1 2 P]

I'm not 100% sure what the enhancement cd is either. I always thought it was a stand alone cd that added more codes and a new feature or two.

what's the coolest thing you've done with a cheat device?

After using my import convertor on my PS1(it's shaped like a Gameshark and also plugs into the back of your PS1) to play my import games, I decided to try my real Gameshark cd. It actually worked for one of my import wrestling games(All Japan Pro Wrestling) but I couldn't get it to load anything else. I always wondered why that game worked but maybe it just had the magic touch or something.

[Dangerboy]

DANGERBOY TO THE RESCUE.

I can actually answer this since I was one of the ones who *worked* on the CDs

The Enhancement CDs were called the "Big Waves" and I believe there were 4 total. Essentially a separate subscription than the GameShark magazine, the CDs would automatically update the GameShark's code list with new codes, etc.

If you have the Parallel Port version of the GS, with the serial port and the proper PC parts (a plug-in board), you could actually write your own code lists in text files, and then upload that to the GS via the serial port. I was actually working on a "complete" text file for the PSX that would have required some 15 GSs to hold it all.

Then the CDX came and ruined everything (which came thanks to Sony ruining everything by removing the port.)

[NayusDante]

Thank you, Dangerboy! I can understand the codelists being on the Enhancement CDs, but my big question is whether they contained program updates or not.

Perhaps a better question if whether the GameShark unit actually SUPPORTED program updates.

And while I'm on the subject, what's the explanation for the "slot" on the back of the N64 GameShark?

Lastly (this probably deserves a separate topic...), I actually bought the PC GameShark. Is there any point in still having one? Can it do anything that a memory hacker or game trainer can't do?

[Dangerboy]

Perhaps a better question if whether the GameShark unit actually SUPPORTED program updates.

I think it did...one of the CDs upgraded the original black / red simple set-up to the moving background set-up. Don't quote me on that, but I think one did. Christ it's been too long...

And while I'm on the subject, what's the explanation for the "slot" on the back of the N64 GameShark?

You know, for the two years I worked there, I don't know if anyone knew. The GS were just localized Action Replays - I don't know if we ever bothered the UK dev guy to figure that out.

However, after a google search, I found this:

Smart Card Port

The Game Shark has a unique Smart Card reader/writer slot at the rear of the unit. This slot will support a range of Smart Cards including Ram, Rom and Flash Rom cards. These cards will offer features including special game cheats and memory card support. Watch out for these exciting products as they become available for your Game Shark in the future.

Full instructions for the use of this expansion port will be included with
the new products.

I don't think those ever surfaced. Funny enough, Datel had built it's own Expansion packs they needed for hacking before nintendo ever released theirs. God I wish I had kept some of those...

Lastly (this probably deserves a separate topic...), I actually bought the PC GameShark. Is there any point in still having one? Can it do anything that a memory hacker or game trainer can't do?

The PC Gamesharks were absolutely, positively useless. In fact, when they re-launched it, a co-worker and I told the brand manager that the world didn't need a useless disc for things they could do for free. The poor sap that we hired to "hack" using that thing could barely get it to work half the time.

[Dangerboy]

I won't be able to get to till Tuesday, but I think I may still have a box full of PSX GS stuff, if I do, I'll post pics and try and figure out the "program update" aspect.

Jason

[Az]

I won't be able to get to till Tuesday, but I think I may still have a box full of PSX GS stuff, if I do, I'll post pics and try and figure out the "program update" aspect.

GS did have a firmware update CD that would work on either regular GS or a GS Pro. The particular one I still have updates to either 2.42 or 3.2 depending on what model you're running.

[Borman]

On the n64 GS, you could upload codes to certain versions, along with using it to dump some games I believe. I know the Goldeneye level hack thing uses the port to upload the code.

[NayusDante]

I finally got around to photographing my N64 GS. I've never seen anything like this. What exactly was intended to go into it? I've never heard the term "smart card," so I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking at here.




As for the PC GameShark, I believe I still have the VHS tape that it came with. Might upload that to the 'Tube soon.