UUDDLRLRBA - What is it, and where does it come from?

For many old school gamers, this question is a no-brainer. Such a no-brainer in fact that you might as well ask them what their name is. They'll come back with the answer just as quickly. But there are a great deal of gamers out there who do not know what this strange-looking code is.

Well, that's exactly what it is: a code. More precisely, it's the Konami Code.

It first sprung into existence back in 1985, during the arcade-to-NES conversion of the game Gradius. Kazuhisa Hashimoto, who was developing the NES version, found the game so hard that he could not test the later levels. He coded a cheat that would allow him the full set of power-ups that would easily see him reach the later levels, allowing him to fully test the game.

This code was left in when the conversion was complete, but it wasn't until 1988 with the NES release of Contra that it took off. This time around, the code gave the player 30 lives. The game was so hard that many people found it impossible to beat the game without this cheat.

Since then, almost every Konami game has featured this code - a list of games that use the Konami Code, and their effects, can be found right here. But the code isn't just confined to games....

Got a Google RSS Reader account? Try using the cursor keys and the B and A keys to enter the code on the Reader screen.

Gamespot? Try it there too.

DIGG, at one time, used the code to allow users to view every comment in a thread.

And aside from that, many bands have referenced the code in song, including The Ataris, The Moldy Peaches, and Deftones.

So there you have it. The Konami Code. A staple of gaming culture, and for many, a saving grace.

Wow thats so cool!!

i jizzed in my pants lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pXfHLUlZf4

Since I am appalling at Gradius i need to use this code hahaha.

On PSP what would replace B and A whilst playing TwinBee?

I'd say cross then square in that order.

Hmm, thanks.

Its in japanese so I'm not 100% sure if circle might be A.

It's a pretty fun collection, might write a review

Cross then circle, not square. Got my shapes mixed up.

Dude, even I don't mix up the PS buttons

Its called "getting kicked out of bed by a 10 month old and then sleeping on the sofa which isn't very comfortable and only getting in 2 hours of sleep before waking up, and still feeling very tired".

But still, very facepalmworthy.