The Konami Code

Thanks to this ridiculous series of vias (kottkeIf..ElseSonSpring DesignPeppermint Tea), here's some more linkloggery infiltrating the main page: The legendary Konami Code apparently unlocks an Easter egg of sorts in the new Mint Web stats package. Noah and I were talking yesterday about how we wished we could come up with all the good ideas in the world before anyone else, and this is the exact sort of thing I was thinking of. If only I had a grasp of PHP and Javascript so I could use my obscure gaming knowledge for good instead of evil.

One thing I noticed while linking through all those sites above, though, is that while many people are aware of the Konami Code and can usually recite it in some form, few are aware of the actual, proper code. That is:

↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A

Usually people follow this with SELECT START, or maybe just START. These buttons are not part of the Konami Code. It's true that the code is usually followed by Start, thus causing people to assume it is part of the code itself, but usually the effect of the code has already been applied and you only push Start so you can unpause the game. (Or in the case of Contra, begin it.) I really don't know why people put the Select in there.

So please, this Halloween, educate yourselves on the use of the Konami Code. With your newfound knowledge you will be able to score a bonus Elitist Jerk point by correcting people who include erroneous buttons when they recite the code. And they thought they were so old school.

Comments (5)

October 31, 2005, 11:24 PM

That's hillarious, the technicalites of the code. I stand corrected, that Select and Start are indeed not part of the code. :)

November 1, 2005, 5:57 PM

MC »

The select is there so you can pick 2P mode in Contra. WAY TO NOT HAVE FRIENDS JERK!!!!!!!!!

November 1, 2005, 11:10 PM

Flik »

I miss you guys. :(

November 2, 2005, 4:26 PM

All my friends left after I spent $300 on a robot cat. :<

Also FLIK IS ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what up homie

May 8, 2006, 3:32 PM

William »

Jerk.