melonDS is one of the best DS emulators available today. It’s widely compatible, actively developed, and comes packed with awesome features like Wi-Fi support, GBA slot 2, and wireless multiplayer that even veteran emulators lack.
One question I immediately asked after downloading this emulator is, “How do you use cheats in melonDS?”
From building the dream team and a party of Shiny Pokemon to exploring illegal areas, cheats have always been a huge part of the Pokemon emulator experience.
In this guide, I’ll teach you how to use cheats in melonDS to enhance your adventures without messing up your games.
More emulator guides:
- How to Use Cheats in mGBA
- How to Use Cheats in Pokemon Games on DeSmuME Emulator
- How to Use Cheats on Visual Boy Advance (VBA)
- How to Use Cheats on Citra
- How to Use Cheat Codes in Nostalgia.GBC Emulator
Does melonDS Support Cheats?
Yes, melonDS does support cheats. It accepts Action Replay and CodeBreaker formats, which are the most widely used cheat codes for Nintendo DS.
However, unlike older emulators such as DeSmuME, the cheat interface in melonDS isn’t quite as polished. It works well once you get the hang of it, but beginners may find the setup less intuitive.
The good news? Once you’ve successfully added and enabled cheats, they work reliably in most Pokemon games. Here’s how.
Precautionary Steps Before Using Cheats
Cheats are fun and can enhance or improve your gaming experience. However, they don’t come without risks or regrets.
Glitches, errors, and conflicting cheats can cause you to lose your progress or, even worse, corrupt your entire game.
So, to avoid these, here are some safety measures you have to take before using any cheat codes.
- Back up your saves: Copy your .sav file to a safe folder before enabling new cheats. If anything breaks, you can restore progress instantly.
- Extra save states: Extra save states are usually enough for me when I plan to use cheats. Just hit Shift+F1 to F5, or whatever number makes you feel safe. You can also leave Slot 9 as a backup in case your cheats cause glitches or errors.
- Don’t use too many codes at once: Don’t enable multiple codes at once, especially if they alter wild encounters or item lists. Conflicting codes are a common source of freezes.
- Use reliable sources: Only grab codes from trusted communities like Pokemoncoders to avoid broken or outdated cheats.
- Avoid saving immediately: After activating a new cheat, play for a bit before saving. This ensures the cheat works without making things permanent.
How to Use Cheats in melonDS
Step 1: Enable Cheats
Open the melonDS emulator and load the DS game you want to play. For example, for Pokemon Platinum, you’re going to apply some Pokemon Platinum cheats.
To allow cheats, click on System on the upper-left menu, then make sure “Enable Cheats” is checked. This is a crucial setting, and if this isn’t turned on, your codes won’t work at all.
Step 2: Open Cheat Code Editor
After cheats have been enabled, you can now add your codes. Go to System once more, then under the Enable Cheats setting, click on Set up cheat codes, and this will open the Cheat code editor.
Now, the first thing you’ll see is the option to add a new category. This allows you to sort your cheats into different categories. Create one spending on the cheat you want to use.
For me, I always go with Battle Cheats, Pokemon Cheats, Item Cheats, and Miscellaneous when I add my categories. This helps me sort codes out so I can enable and disable them quickly.
Step 3: Add Cheat Codes
Now, once you have chosen a code to use, select the corresponding category it falls into. Then, click on New AR Code. Copy and paste the code in the space on the right.
Give it a descriptive name like “999 Master Balls” or “Walk Through Walls.” This makes it easier to manage multiple codes later. Hit OK and you’re good to go.
Step 4: Test Your Cheats
Now it’s time to see if those cheats are working. Some cheats are easy to use and work instantly after you add their codes.
But some cheats, like item cheats and Wild Pokemon modifiers, require you to press a specific combination of buttons before they can be activated. Check their cheat source for these instructions.
Once everything is set, your cheats should now be working. Do not save immediately after you see your cheats working.
This gives you time to check for side effects, such as errors or glitches. You can save later if everything is working smoothly.
Popular Pokemon Cheats for melonDS
If you are new to cheats on Pokemon DS games, here are some of my top recommendations:
- Infinite Rare Candies: Unlimited levels for your Pokemon without the tiring grind.
- Walk Through Walls: Explore areas earlier than intended or skip long puzzles. Be careful not to venture into illegal areas, though.
- Shiny Pokemon Modifier: Create a team of Legendary Shiny Pokemon.
- 999x Master Balls/Items: Never worry about catching Legendaries or running out of essentials.
Where to Get the Best Pokemon Cheats
Setting up cheats on melonDS might seem complicated at first glance, but it’s actually super easy.
If you stick to this guide, you can use cheats on your favorite emulator and be worry-free of any potential errors or glitches.
So, where do you find the best Pokemon cheat codes on the internet? There’s no better place than Pokemoncoders, the home of Pokemon lovers and enthusiasts.
We are a team of veteran Pokemon Trainers that are dedicated to helping you get the most fun and enjoyment from your Pokeadventures.
If you have any questions about using cheats or are looking for codes for a specific Pokemon game, feel free to comment down below, and our team will gladly assist you.
