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Cheat codes (also called debug codes or backdoors) are codes that can be entered into a video game to change the game's behavior, alter characters' looks and abilities, skip levels, or access other hidden features. A prime example of this is the Konami Code (↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A Start), which when entered usually gives the player a large number of lives or powerups.

The practice of cheat codes and secrets in a video game was started in the Atari 2600 game Adventure. Afterwards, codes were implemented and used by game developers to playtest certain aspects of their games; for example, a common use of a cheat code is to skip to a level in a game. In moddable games, such cheat modes are often left in released titles specifically for modder use.

The practice became well-known, and now many games have cheat codes intentionally included as a form of easter egg or unlockable prizes. Some video game magazines have sections devoted to providing these codes. Booklets are also produced that collect cheat codes for a large number of games. Many codes, for both older and more recent games, can be found at specialized websites.

The method of entering cheat codes varies; on video game consoles, the code is frequently a sequence of button presses. Alternatively, on computers such as the Amiga or PC, the code may be textual and entered using the keyboard, or through a more complex combination of input devices. In some recent games, the cheats are also enabled by adding special settings in game configuration files.

While normal cheat codes are built into the game by the programmers, unofficial cheat codes can be created by manipulating the contents of the memory address for a running game. On video game consoles, this is done using a cheat cartridge. Users of some early home computers called these codes pokes, named after the command used to input them. Nowadays, cheating like this is considered "hacking" because the user must use external software or hardware to change values in the game memory.

Cheat codes are, by definition, considered cheating and most serious players only use them for experimentation, if at all. Sometimes, though, using cheat codes is necessary, particularly in the case of bugs: If a serious game-stopping bug is encountered, a cheat code may be able to bypass it without the need to start the whole game over again from the beginning.

The game Micro Machines for the NES had a bug where the game would freeze if the player reversed over the start/finish line at the start of the race. This was due to a single zero being a one in the code. Discovered after thousands of games were made, Codemasters, rather than throw the cartridges away, which would have been very costly, used technology from their Game Genie cheat cartridge to rewrite the code in every game.

Often cheats spell a word, possibly comical or relating to the cheat (for example, "Start", "Left", "A", "B" would spell "Slab").

• Cheating (video games)
• Konami Code
• God mode

• Cheats and Hints at the Open Directory Project