American Dream is a 1989 gambling adventure game developed by C-Dream and published by Coconuts Japan. The game was released on NES exclusively in Japan, with an English translation only arriving courtesy of a fan / ROM hacker named Pale Dim in 2007. Because of its incredibly limited release, it’s difficult to know just how much of a success the game was, critically and commercially.
American Dream Premise
©Screenshot from American Dream.
American Dream begins by introducing its central concept: gambling. Pachio-kun, the walking pachinko ball protagonist, is refused entry to the first casino in the game, before finding an entry ticket on the floor. From this point onward, the game really begins, as you go around several casinos playing its slots games in search of riches. The game makes sure that you try out several different casinos by offering different payouts, meaning to progress, you’ll need to test the waters of the payouts elsewhere.
Progression in the game is done by unlocking new areas of New York City. For example, you can go to Queens, the Bronx, Manhattan, and even New Jersey. These boroughs are unlocked when you hit a certain money threshold, which can only be done by winning in the casinos.
As you move between boroughs, the game features random encounters that allow you to play dice games, too. These in-between sections have a ton of items to find, too – there’s a gun you can get to defend yourself in Manhattan, for example. Seeing a pachinko ball with a gun is certainly an interesting sight.
Above all else, the slots games are the highlight of American Dream. Everything else exists to get players from one machine to the next. The irony of a game titled American Dream being about gambling your way to the top is not lost on us.
American Dream Main Characters
©Screenshot from American Dream.
In American Dream, there is next to no plot across the course of the game. The same goes for its characters, too. Other than its protagonist, who is the cartoon character Pachio-kun, the game has no named characters for you to interact with (barring a strange Al Capone cameo).
Because of this, there’s only one main character – Pachio-kun. He’s a gambling addict who dreams of massive riches, and sets off to New York City to achieve his dream via his addiction.
American Dream Titles in the Series
©Screenshot from American Dream.
There’s something extremely fascinating about American Dream. The fact that it was only released in Japanese markets despite being focused on the concept of “The American Dream” is unique, and to this day, there is next to no information about the game’s developer online. Even its use of the Pachio-kun character is a little strange, considering the game isn’t connected to the other titles featuring the character. It all comes together to make American Dream something of an enigma.
Understandably, the game never received a sequel, and almost certainly never will, either. It will always exist as a strange mystery of how it even came to be in the first place.
- American Dream (1989)
American Dream Cheat Codes
©Screenshot from American Dream.
American Dream has several cheats that you can enter throughout the game. While one allows free movement, the rest are level passwords that allow you to restart the game with a certain amount of progress.
Here are the cheat codes for American Dream:
| Cheat Code | Cheat Code Effect |
|---|---|
| AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA COCO NUTS | While in map mode, hold Select and press the D-pad. You’ll be able to move around freely. |
| AOOO OJAX VOOJ AOOO OJAO OOOJ AOOP PKBP UOJO OOOA | Allows you to start the game in Manhattan with $1 million. |
| BBBB CJBB BBBJ BBBB BJBB BBBJ BBBC CKCC KBJB BBBB | Allows you to start the game in New Jersey with $100 million. |
| AFFF FNFF FFFN AFFF FNAF FFFN AFFG GOBG OFNF FFFA | Allows you to start the game in New Jersey with $5 million. |
| AFFF FGAF FKFG AFFF FGAF FFFG AFFG GGAF IFGF FFFA | Allows you to start the game in Queens with $5,000. |
| AIII INAI QIIN AIII INAI IIIN AIIJ JNAI NINI IIIA | Allows you to start the game in the Bronx with $80,000. |
American Dream Cheat Code FAQ
©Screenshot from American Dream.
How Do I Enter Level Passwords in American Dream?
To enter level passwords in American Dream, press Game Mode at the start screen, and then press the Continue button. You’ll be presented with a menu where you can enter the level passwords above.
How Do I Get Free Movement in American Dream?
To get free movement during American Dream levels, enter the code “AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA AAAA COCO NUTS.” Then, while in gameplay, hold Select in map mode then use your D-pad to move.
Does American Dream Have Achievements?
No. As a NES exclusive, there are no achievements to earn here.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Screenshot from American Dream..