The Progressively More Confusing History of Fire Emblem's Actual Secret Codes

[@Faerghast]

hey gang! I know this is a pretty obscure topic and for that reason I would really appreciate it if you left a like and comment down below to help the video's search ratings! Would mean a lot! And please subscribe if you haven't yet! See you in the next video!

[@image44]

i love faerGHAST

[@JacobNintendoNerd99]

Wanna point out a very strong lead here with the results screen password. Metroid Zero Mission has a hidden mode you can unlock with codes. It's a Time Attack mode, which isn't too much different from what the standard New Game Plus gives you in Zero Mission, but Time Attack mode tracks a few extra things throughout a playthrough. However, once you beat the game in a time attack run unlocked with this secret code, the ending results screen gives you a password in Zero Mission as well, tracking very similar data as in FE7's password, essentially putting your results into the contents of a code. And it is actually very well documented that Nintendo held a speed running contest in Japan for Zero Mission, and the first place prize for the fastest time completing Zero Mission in time attack mode was a special Game Boy Advance SP with Samus's suit colors and the drawing from the ending screen in the lower right of the GBA. The interesting connection here is that Intelligent Systems worked on Metroid, Metroid 2, Super Metroid, and Metroid Fusion. That's why Arran is literally just an expy of Samus (with the Samson/Arran reference introduced in FE1 and Arran being intended to look more like Samus of the two) and his backstory detailed in New Mystery is designed to be just a medieval expy of Metroid 2's plot, with the twist he doesn't come to his senses in time like Samus and is haunted by his massacre for the rest of his days (a fate heavily implied to be something that would have befallen Samus had she fully gone through with that in Metroid 2). However, Intsys stopped working on the 2D installments of the series after Fusion. Buuuut it's definitely possible that ideas were passed around between the main Nintendo development team working on Zero Mission and Intelligent Systems, especially given that Zero Mission runs on a heavily modified Fusion codebase, a game Intsys did work on. I'm not sure if there was a Blazing Blade contest that ever actually happened in Japan, but it was probably a contest for Low Turn Count clears if it was held given the parallels with Zero Mission here and the data that's actually given by the password. There was a Binding Blade contest that actually was held in Japan, and the top ranked players received special cartridges of Binding Blade with exclusive trial maps. This is documented on SerenesForest, but I don't think there's any similar password system in FE6, unless it's undiscovered? It's possible they held or intended to hold a similar contest for FE7 and wanted a password system to weed out frauds, and Zero Mission took a similar idea later due to Metroid's close ties to Intsys up to that point.

[@brentlaviolette8437]

I love the secret codes it might be more relevant if you find out some secret codes for awakening or fates. And do a video on it. I started fire emblem with awakening and fates so finding neat things to do there would be of interest to me and those games are more accessible then the Gameboy ones so more people could try them out

[@Dakress23]

The fact people are still finding secret cheat/codes to this day is honestly amazing. Also the FE GBA games having a secret "wipe all data" code make so much sense in hindsight given I always found weird how subsequent runs of the game added a win/loss counter for each unit.

[@MattMorency]

Basically a factory reset for your cartridge.

[@menhirmike]

Huh, TIL that there were secret codes, though I'm not surprised that Sound Test is one of them. And I'm also glad to be reminded that Gaiden/Echoes had the best soundtrack in the entire series. I only know a secret enemy removal button combination in FE 8: Move your cursor over Seth, press A, move your cursor next to an enemy, press A four times, and the enemy will be gone.

[@bolladragon]

Don’t you dare apologize about being excited over new info on old games you love. I’m into this exact kind of thing in older Sonic titles, so your joy is so relatable to my core.

[@byronvonedmund]

1:41 now that's truly a faithful remake

[@maximeminassian6002]

A bit too faithful if you ask me. The atrocity that is Gaiden’s map design shouldn’t have come back in it’s remake.

[@byronvonedmund]

@@maximeminassian6002 I mean, Kaga did them - so it's at least something left from him in the series

[@maximeminassian6002]

@@byronvonedmund I mean, it’s true but honestly the map design of the Kaga games are generally very boring, having way too much open fields and a tendency of really badly placed ennemies, I’m staring at you Nuibaba’s abode. And personally, I feel like the purpose of a remake shouldn’t be to copy everything from the original and only changing the graphics and aesthetic, but to improve on what was previously done, in order to give a much more pleasant experience for the new generations of fans, something SoV barely even tried.

[@TheGreenthunder200]

I actually unlocked paragon mode in Fe5 on a whim, I was just messing around with the controller after getting frustrated with chapter 18 and got the sound and I was just shocked that there was technically an “easy” mode the whole time. Not that it actually helped with the awfulness of Ch 18 but it was something lol

[@shytendeakatamanoir9740]

Not being able to get both Easy Mode and the money code is slightly annoying though

[@Nupleyboi]

I accidentally gaslighted one of my close friends into believing Thracia Paragon mode doesn't exist

[@muzas15]

How?

[@Nupleyboi]

I've gaslighted him on purpose several other occasions for other jokes, but the way this one came about was him playing Thracia for the first time blindly, and only once he got towards the end of the game I said something along the effects of "Bro, if you're having that much trouble with the Ballistas just start over on Paragon mode!" He was confused, so I explained what Paragon mode was, he then told me I was full of sh#$

[@Nupleyboi]

Granted, I explained it in a very nonbelievable way

[@overcooked2808]

@@Nupleyboi he gaslighted himself on that one

[@hmmmooops]

@@Nupleyboi Gaslighting 4D chess

[@lazydroidproductions1087]

Thanks, started Shadows of Valentia last night so now I have sound-test unlocked

[@lazarusmekhane439]

I am so disappointed that there have been no further secret codes in future games. Even if most of these codes were just sound tests, just the notion of secret codes in future games would have been just a joyful thing to have. And they stopped right when FE began to get actual international recognition. At least Echoes maintained its sound test.

[@AbsolXGuardian]

2:47 I have a guess. Old computer monitors and old TV monitors were two very different kinds of CRT monitors. If you wanted to ensure fidelity regarding the tint of the maps, the best way to do so would set those colors from the console hooked up to the most popular type of TV in Japan at the time, rather than the computers used to program the game. The fact you can set red, green, and blue means you can create any color. You'd also need a function to write this information to the cartridge, which would have been removed from the final release since it modifies the source code. I don't know if this hypothesis is compatible with how games were made back then, but it's the only guess I have, considering it's more than some pre-made filters and doesn't save your changes.

[@TheGamersState]

I can't speak for Fire Emblem as I'm a filthy casual that started at Fire Emblem Awakening but I remember learning of something similar with Golden Sun where if you put in a set of commands, can't remember what they are, on the character naming screen for Isaac, it let's you rename all the other party members. When I learned about that, it blew my mind especially considering how text-heavy that game is.

[@bragsaint7824]

4:20 I just KNOW they didn't add jiggle physics to Lyn in the GBA games, I just KNOW THEY DIDN'T

[@topazlight1586]

This was really neat! I know pretty much all of these besides the FE3 map tint code, and that one makes me curious as to why it was implemented. I wonder if it's not a leftover debug function for testing screen tinting code for magic and cutscene effects of something. Not as mysterious as the FE7 battle history code, obviously, but it's newer to me, haha

[@Slenderquil]

The only code I was aware of was the reset code, so it's really cool hearing about these!

[@PluckyInc]

the select code could've been for a japanese contest, i mean there was a similar code in Mario Kart: Double Dash that actually did generate a code in all versions of the game, however only japan had a contest. there's also a code in Mario Kart DS which was also used for a japanese contest.

[@samthedigital]

Metroid: Zero Mission had a similar code generation thing that was used for a contest in Japan. It was slightly more involved, but it seems pretty similar otherwise.

[@keneor4468]

So about the FE7 codes, I actually wonder if they planned a Golden Sun styled shenanigan. Lemme explain : for those unfamiliar with this franchise, when you finish the first Golden Sun it ends with a cliffhanger, you save your game, and then your data becomes a "Cleared" state. You can no longer load your save except on the battle arena mode which is an infinite battle mode where you can't save (so no xp gain or item changes). The game is over you have to start again. However, once you start the sequel everything makes sense, since in the sequel's menu there's an "Inherit" feature, which allows you to transfer all the data of your character's current state to Golden Sun 2, so once you reclaimed those units in the game they are in the state you left them in in GS1 (this was so cool). To transfer the data you had two options : link cable connexion or... A code! To get the code, GS 2 instructed you how to unlock the inherit menu IN GS 1 (through an input code) so you can generate your code to input it later in GS2. So all this tangent to state this : what if they planned to somehow make use of this transfered battle data in a later game (POR or Sacred Stones in early stages) and left that here to allow a data transplent from FE7 to the next game. We'll never know for sure but could be a lead!

[@lpfan4491]

That wouldn't really made sense tho. PoR is not known to have ever had a tie to FE7 and FE8 is completely out of the question because that game was quickly thrown together as a fillergame until the release of PoR, FE7 was originally meant to be the last GBA game.

[@ivanbluecool]

Oh game codes not source "codes". Guess it's always interesting to know the games still have a lot of hidden secrets still

[@Joe_Cool13]

This was SO COOL! I would love more videos like this! Don’t know how much content like this there is though…

[@t50j50]

Great video! I'm always excited to revisit old titles, especially the gba games. The 3h content is great but I really wouldn't mind more of this varied content.

[@dom5396]

I love the Super Mario Land Music throughout the Video. Especially because it's the space music. Loved these Levels

[@lpfan4491]

5:20 Excuse me, what? This is crazy, I thought this function was simply inaccessible in FE6!(in FE7 and I think FE8, it is also in a debug-menu, but not here. I only knew that the function was meant to be in FE6 too because I saw the text for it in FEBuilder.)

[@hustlevania3318]

Found the delete all data in fe7 as a kid :) I love Anna

[@stevemora6463]

I'm getting into FE again after many many years. And this kind of content is really interesting. I feel like a child again.

[@JustNeonSpoons]

So, regarding the Battle History code thingie, it could be possible this was related to the juna fruit event that was in Japan for a limited time. I'm not entirely sure though, as I just connected one thing I've heard with another.

[@hydrusalphy4654]

Please more videos like this! I dunno if you have more material to base one on, but it's so exciting!

[@loganmiller7827]

You mentioned something about Path of Radiance. Do you have a separate video on it? I've never heard of that and thought it sounded interesting

[@Arkholt2]

FE5 Paragon mode was probably buried because I honestly don't think it would help that much. Having your units stay alive more easily is great, but it doesn't help you when you realize you didn't bring enough door keys that you didn't know you should have bought, or any of the other non-combat related frustrations in that game.

[@askiia8713]

Agreed, besides, Thracia's stat caps are so absurdly low sometimes it doesn't even help that much that you level up faster

[@shytendeakatamanoir9740]

Keeping your money on New Game is arguably more useful I suppose

[@yeasstt]

@@shytendeakatamanoir9740 even then, Thracia throws money at you. The difficulty from thracia doesn't come from stats or resources.

[@imafireIsFroent]

"The numbers, Mason, what do they mean!?"

[@Rhyto]

I'm just flabbergasted that this exists, thanks for the overview of what you've found so far.

[@klissattack]

I do greatly enjoy these codes. Keep it up!

[@CaptainBoxheadman]

The only code I even knew about was the Garden and SoV sound test code so this was surprising to see and it's very interesting. I'm shocked Thracia has an easy mode that's really cool and I'm very surprised I've never heard anyone mention it before

[@everettwatsonrazorearcwolf6553]

Obscure stuff is always fun to learn about! I think the only one I knew was the Thracia one

[@cabbusses]

I don't know if this is useful for your content or not, but for the BS Fire Emblem ROMs, asuming your emulator is set up right (IE: Not ZSNES w/ patches), L+R+Start+Select will set the player back to the beginning of the last player phase, giving a bit of a mulligan if any screwups happen. This is somewhat abusable as it lets you farm for desired battle outcomes.

[@aegrajag]

and in 3H and other FE games I think, it resets the game back to the main menu

[@cabbusses]

@@aegrajag That's a more bog-standard soft reset that has been nearly standardized in the JRPG genre. The fact that it has a distinctly different behavior in BSFE is of note.

[@cluesagi]

In FE6 you unlock the ability to move units a lot faster by holding the A button once you've beaten the game at least once. You also get a counter in the battle status screen that counts which playthrough you're currently on. However if you press L on the status screen you can actually make the playthrough counter disappear, and doing so also disables the faster unit movement. It's never explained in-game and I have no idea why they didn't just add the fast movement to the game's options menu but there it is.

[@Trikzilla]

Fun video ghast!

[@GameAW1]

Obviously you needed the codes to get the seven chaos emeralds so that Goku could become the next Hokage, which would enable him to save Princess Peach from the clutches of the evil Dr. Wily and doing this side quest would get you Marth and Roy as playable units proving that yes, this IS the one with Marth and Roy.

[@danny18894]

This is so cool , Maybe I could use Paragon Mode to finally play Thracia

[@Cappy-Bara]

My Uncle worked at Nintendo, and if you gave that code at Intelligent Systems HQ, they would give you the mutton they gave Dorcas

[@WolxVal]

Love the background song Super Mario Land 2 Star Field lvl 2

[@arthurgamonal2mb358]

FE64 Maiden of Darkness video When?

[@megamanzero29]

Even 20 years later there are still things about FE7 we don’t know about

[@shinigamimiroku3723]

This was really interesting to learn! I thought I knew everything about the GBA games, but this just blew my mind. XD

[@illialidur8244]

I knew about Paragon mode and the Sound test room in FE2/15, the rest were new to me.

[@legacytag]

This is also the kind of stuff I love, so I feel the energy here

[@lazykatie42069]

holy shit, I knew about easy and paragon mode but these other codes are news to me

[@bigcountrymxog]

Pretty cool. Only thing I knew of was paragon mode

[@lux3239]

Honestly kinda tempted to use paragon mode when I pick up Thracia finally, cool fact!

[@mochie9360]

I would love to see a older fe game like any gba to have NG+

[@ariano1561]

I accidentally did the forced movemnt skip while playing an fe8 randomizer the unit i had didnt have enough movement so to the action so ijust frustredly clicked all the buttons in random order

[@Livingvapour]

thanks for the fun video random nova scotia man

[@Klaire_Fluffle]

Is the Debug Mode/model viewer for Path of Radiance accessible without hacks, maybe with an input code or something? I had never heard of that until now.

[@nykita427]

Make a video on Fe 6 super secret promotional trial maps. Very obscure stuff

[@lpfan4491]

The lost media that makes fans sad.

[@solidskullz5736]

Fire emblem secrets, how fun

[@leokokiri]

Idk how secret it is but I believe almost every FE game has like a hard reset code where you can restart the game as if you just booted it up, i just checked and all 3ds FE + 3H have it; i guess its a neat way to check in game galleries or restarting the games without the need to reset the whole console Tho Awakening and Fates seems to only work on maps while 3H works on almost everytime except on loading screen

[@ctochtli2964]

Oh yes there is secret codes, in F Zero X there is codes to unlock all the machines and other for change his appearance deforming the size a little bit.

[@greenpoolball5136]

I hope there are secret codes for tear ring saga and Berwick saga, a harder difficulty mode would be amazing.

[@DanisThoughts]

Pretty cool video!!

[@bobosmith101]

The audio sounds really quiet this episode?

[@johnwilson1762]

why didnt you show the FE8 and FE9 codes you referenced

[@EthanKironus8067]

So Genealogy doesn't have any secret codes?

[@arzfan29]

What about genealogy

[@nolanbrewer898]

Consider my mind blown

[@kongu12395]

I knew about Gaiden’s sound test and Easy Mode, but that was about it. By the way, that’s definitely the best way to play the original Gaiden. Otherwise it’s extremely tedious.

[@123dantheman78]

This was cool. Fire Emblem is awesome

[@robby6382]

God Shadows of Valencia is so good

[@Arouxayis]

i like this content

[@Lh0000]

THE CODES MASON, WHAT DO THEY MEAN!

[@bayzul7405]

Anna nukes your files Free of charge

[@mystergamer0750]

time to play Thracisa on paragon mode.

[@JoeEmber776]

The numbers Maeda! what do they mean!?!?

[@SharurFoF]

Mare-ee-oh Kart? Oh dear. :P

[@seteth5556]

Don't be downplayin how cool this is, you aren't silly and clearly thousands of people agree

[@Corvidazed]

This was such a hot and sexy video, thank you sir ghast.

[@Eo22I005]

I’m pretty sure the last one is real as mario kart dd has a similar feature thats not similar but exactly the same.

[@usvidragonslayer3091]

Interesting

[@cjt217]

The codes!!!

[@MitoRequiem]

The codes were to blame

[@Khtras]

You forgot the special code in Fire Emblem Heroes. You put the numbers that are in your father or mother's card in the wallet, and then you can get extra orbs!

[@darkruler19]

Are there n codes for the more modern fe titels? Like the ds?