Shining Force is a retro role-playing game from 1992. While this classic, pixel-style game is mostly a high fantasy setting, it also mixes in some sci-fi elements. This turn-based tactical RPG was released on the Sega Genesis and over the years had been released on the Wii Virtual Console and PC. It is even included in the Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It has also been re-released in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack in 2021.
Shining Force has overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics. It topped the sales chart not long after its release. It is considered a true RPG and retro masterpiece. Its combat system, use of sprites, and traditional Japanese RPG style have garnered positive comparisons to Fire Emblem and Dragon Quest.
Shining Force Premise
In the Kingdom of Guardiana, the hero Max is sent on an epic quest to stop the evil Kane from spreading evil across the land of Rune. Kane controls the Runefaust hordes and plans on unleashing the Dark Dragon. To do this, Max must recruit several powerful allies to join the Shining Force that he leads. Wield the Chaos Breaker sword, seal the evil away, and save the kingdom.
Shining Force Main Character
The main character of Shining Force is Max. Max is the team leader and figurehead of the player’s army. While players have several unique characters to unlock, Max is the one who players control to walk around town, interact with villagers, buy and barter, and more.
- Max: Max is a young swordsman who has amnesia. He has a kind heart but his skills are even more impressive. Even the Guardiana Knights envy his abilities. He is not only a skilled melee fighter but also uses magic. This amnesiac protagonist is from an ancient race, which explains how he can have so many abilities.
Unlockable Allies:
- Arthur: Arthur is from a faraway land and has been impressively strong since he was a child. He has the potential to be the strongest paladin in the game. This easy-going centaur can even learn magic. He can learn Freeze, Thunder, and Blaze. Arthur has light blonde hair and a light gray body. His shield is a light blue.
- Earnest: This silver centaur is as intense as he is strong. He has the potential to be one of the strongest paladins, after Arthur. He has light eyes, white hair, a gray body, and a large scar on his face. He seeks vengeance on those who hurt his people. Earnest does not wield a shield.
- Ken: This young knight is a Royal Guardiana Knight and is only 17 years old. He has light brown, messy hair that matches his centaur body. He also harbors a not-so-secret crush on Mae. Ken cannot cast spells and has no special power. Ken’s shield is blue and matches his eyes.
- Mae: Mae is the daughter of the Head Guardiana Knight. She has trained since she was born and thus is impressive when it comes to melee combat. Years of knightly training have given her a harsh personality. She wields a red shield and has a red headband in her long blonde hair. She is also the only playable/unlockable female character.
- Pelle: Unlike the other unlockable allies, Pelle is a mercenary. He does not know where his family is from or even who they are. But that does not stop him from being a free spirit. Although he was a mercenary before joining your group, he is honorable and easy-going. He deals some of the strongest damage out of all of them. He cannot learn or use magic. Pelle has short, black hair and wields a red shield with a lion symbol on it.
- Vankar: This armored centaur is an average fighter and front-line knight. He has a long blond mullet and wields a lance. He also is prone to getting seasick. He is strictly a fighter and cannot wield magic. Vankar wields a yellow shield that matches his light hair and body.
Shining Force Series
Shining Force is the second installment of the Shining series by Sega. This series is full of turn-based battles, dungeon crawls, and roguelike elements. This series has expanded over almost three decades. While it started with retro sprite games, it has gotten mobile phone games, several remakes, and modern releases.
If you’re interested in the Shining universe, check out the rest of the fantasy series.
- Shining in the Darkness (1991)
- Shining Force (1992)
- Shining Force Gaiden (1992)
- Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya (1993)
- Shining Force II (1993)
- Shining Force CD (1994)
- Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict (1995)
- Shining Wisdom (1995)
- Shining the Holy Ark (1996)
- Shining Force III: Scenario 1 (1997)
- Shining Force III: Scenario 2 (1998)
- Shining Force III: Scenario 3 (1998)
- Shining Force III Premium Disk (1998)
- Shining Soul (2002)
- Shining Soul II (2003)
- Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon (2004)
- Shining Tears (2004)
- Shining Force Neo (2005)
- Shining Road to the Force (2005)
- Shining Force Chronicle I (2005)
- Shining Force Chronicle II (2005)
- Shining Road Priestess of the Dark Dragon (2006)
- Shining Force Chronicle III (2006)
- Shining Force EXA (2007)
- Shining Wind (2007)
- Shining Force EXA Mobile (2007)
- Shining Wind X (2008)
- Shining Force Feather (2009)
- Shining Force Cross (2009)
- Shining Hearts (2010)
- Shining Blade (2012)
- Shining Ark (2013)
- Blade Arcus from Shining (2014)
- Shining Resonance (2014)
- Blade Arcus from Shining EX (2015)
- Blade Arcus from Shining: Battle Arena (2016)
- Shining Resonance Refrain (2018)
- Blade Arcus Rebellion from Shining (2019)
Shining Force Cheat Codes
For players with the Sega Genesis, this game has a wide variety of different cheats that can give players unique advantages. They can give players infinite health, upgrade their weapons, or even unlock new characters. We’ve sorted them all out for you below so feel free to check them out.
Sega Genesis
General Debug Codes
To use the Debug codes, first hold A+B+C+Start on Controller 2 and then reset the game. Once the Sega logo appears, release the buttons and hold Up on Controller 2. While holding Up, press Start on Controller 1. Once Simone starts talking, release the buttons. After Simone’s lines are finished, try the following Debug menu codes.
| Effect | Code |
|---|---|
| Battle Test | Hold A |
| Chapter Select | Hold B |
| View the game’s ending | Hold C |
| Automatically win any battle | Hold A + B + C |
| Sound Test | Hold Down + Start |
And for those lucky players who have a Game Genie, here are all of the codes you can use.
Game Genie Codes
Max Codes
| Effect | Code |
|---|---|
| Max starts with two Buster Shots | S3JT-F65T |
| Max starts with two Breads of Life | BFJT-EWDT |
| Max starts with two Shower of Cures | APJT-EGDT |
| Max starts with two Healing Seeds | AFJT-ECDT |
| Max starts with a Long Sword and a Buster Shot | BBJT-F9DR |
| Max starts with a Long Sword and a Turbo pepper | BBJT-F9DR |
| Max starts with a Long Sword and a Bread of Life | BFJT-F9DR |
| Max starts with a Long Sword and a Shower of Cure | APJT-F9DR |
| Max starts with a Long Sword and a Healing Seed | AFJT-F9DR |
| Max starts with a Long Sword | 97JT-F9DR |
| Max starts with Egress, Heal 4, and Bolt 4 spells | 3PJT-EBXW |
| Max starts with Egress, Aura 4, and Freeze 4 spells | 3KJT-EDXW |
| Max starts with Egress, Heal 4, and Blaze 4 spells | 2BJT-EXXW |
| Max has an Orb of Light | FF9CAD:0012 |
| Max has a Great Axe | FF9CAD:001B |
| Max has a Kendai Hodako | FF9CAD:001C |
| Max has a Katana | FF9CAD:0023 |
| Max has an Elf Arrow | FF9CAD:0024 |
| Max has a Chaos Breaker | FF9CAD:0027 |
| Max has a Halberd | FF9CAD:002C |
| Max has a Valkyrie | FF9CAD:002F |
| Max has an Atlas Axe | FF9CAD:0034 |
| Max has a Holy Staff | FF9CAD:0037 |
| Max has a Power Staff | FF9CAD:0038 |
| Max has a Buster Shot | FF9CAD:003E |
| Max has a Devil Lance | FF9CAD:002B |
| Max has a Demon Rod | FF9CAD:0039 |
Allied Forces Codes
| Effect | Code |
|---|---|
| Hero starts with 50 attack power, 50 defense | GKJT-FEMA |
| Hero starts with 50 HP | GKJT-EADG |
| Hero starts with 50 movement speed, 50 agility | GKJT-FEMC |
| Hero starts with 50 MP | GKJT-FEML |
| Arthur starts with 50 attack power, 50 defense | GKKA-FELT |
| Arthur starts with 50 movement speed, 50 agility | GKKA-FELW |
| Arthur starts with 50 HP | GKKA-EAC0 |
| Arthur starts with 50 MP | GKKA-FEL4 |
| Earnest starts with 50 attack power, 50 defense | GKKA-FEKJ |
| Earnest starts with 50 movement speed, 50 agility | GKKA-FEKL |
| Earnest starts with 50 HP | GKKA-EABR |
| Earnest starts with 50 MP | GKKA-FEKW |
| Ken starts with 50 attack power, 50 defense | GKJT-FER2 |
| Ken starts with 50 movement, 50 agility | GKJT-FER4 |
| Ken starts with 50 HP | GKJT-EAG8 |
| Ken starts with 50 MP | GKJT-FESC |
| Mae starts with 50 attack power, 50 defense | GKJT-FENJ |
| Mae starts with 50 movement speed, 50 agility | GKJT-FENL |
| Mae starts with 50 HP | GKJT-EAER |
| Mae starts with 50 MP | GKJT-FENW |
| Pelle starts with 50 attack power, 50 defense | GKJT-FEPT |
| Pelle starts with 50 movement speed, 50 agility | GKJT-FEPW |
| Pelle starts with 50 HP | GKJT-EAF0 |
| Pelle starts with 50 MP | GKJT-FEP4 |
| Vankar starts with 50 attack power, 50 defense | GKKA-FEJA |
| Vankar starts with 50 movement speed, 50 agility | GKKA-FEJC |
| Vankar starts with 50 HP | GKKA-EAAG |
| Vankar starts with 50 MP | GKKA-FEJL |
Weapon Codes
| Effect | Code |
|---|---|
| Buster Shots are free | ABRT-EAAE |
| Wooden Arrows are free | ABRA-EAGY |
| Holy Staves are free | ABRA-EAEY |
| Power Staves are free | ABRA-EAFE |
| Wooden Staves are free | ABRA-EADE |
| Great Axes are free | ABRA-EAGY |
| Hand Axes are free | ABPA-EABE |
| Chrome Lances are free | ABRA-EAGE |
| Power Spears are free | ABRA-EAAE |
| Bronze Lances are free | ABPT-EAFE |
| Spears are free | ABPT-EAHY |
| Broad Swords are free | ABPT-EABY |
| Steel Swords are free | ABPT-EABE |
| Middle Swords are free | ABPT-EAAE |
| Short Swords are free | ABPA-EAHY |
| Wooden Arrow becomes stronger | EPRA-EAGN |
| Wooden Staff becomes stronger | EPRA-EADN |
| Hand Axe becomes stronger | EFRA-EAA6 |
| Steel Lance becomes stronger | EPPT-EAFN |
| Spear becomes stronger | EPPT-EAHN |
| Steel Sword becomes stronger | FBPT-EAA6 |
| Middle Sword becomes stronger | FBPA-EAH6 |
Usable Item Codes
| Effect | Code |
|---|---|
| Angel Wings are free | ABNT-EADE |
| Antidotes are free | ABNT-EACE |
| Healing Seeds are free | ABNT-EABY |
| Medical Herbs cost 98,300 Coins | 93NT-F93E |
| Antidote gives everyone in your party the Bread of Life | HFNT-F0B8 |
| Antidote gives everyone in your party the Turbo Pepper | HBNT-F0B8 |
| Healing Seed gives everyone in your party the Bread of Life | HFNT-F0BR |
| Healing Seed gives everyone in your party the Turbo Pepper | CKNT-F0BR |
| Healing Seed recovers everyone’s HP in battle | CKNT-F0BR |
| Medical Herb gives everyone in your party the Bread of Life | HFNT-F0A8 |
| Medical Herb gives everyone in your party the Turbo Pepper | HBNT-F0A8 |
| Medical Herb recovers everyone’s HP in battle | CKNT-F0A8 |
| Medical Herb levels up every party member in your battle party when used in battle | LFNT-EAA0 LFNT-EAA2 ABNT-EKT4 NPNT-F4J8 |
Enemy Codes
| Effect | Code |
|---|---|
| Goblins drop 250 Coins | 9K4T-EAA6 |
| Goblins drop 3,000 Coins | 1B4T-E0A6 |
| Goblins drop 65,000 Coins | 7B4T-F526 |
| Dark Dwarf drops 250 Coins | 9K4T-EADN |
| Dark Dwarf drops 3,000 Coins | 1B4T-E0DN |
| Dark Dwarf drops 65,000 Coins | 7B4T-F55N |
| Giant Bats drop 250 Coins | 9K5A-EAE6 |
| Giant Bats drop 3,000 Coins | 1B5A-E0E6 |
| Giant Bats drop 65,000 Coins | 7B5A-F566 |
| Pegasus Knights drop 250 Coins | 9K5T-EAEN |
| Pegasus Knights drop 3,000 Coins | 1B5T-E0EN |
| Pegasus Knights drop 65,000 Coins | 7B5T-F56N |
| Torch Eyes drop 3000 Coins | 1B6A-E0A6 |
| Torch Eyes drop 65,000 Coins | 7B6A-F526 |
Magic Attack Codes
| Effect | Code |
|---|---|
| Blaze casts Blaze 3 | E3WA-ENS0 |
| Blaze casts Blaze 4 | E7WA-ERS0 |
| Blaze casts Freeze 3 | FKWA-EYS0 |
| Blaze casts Freeze 4 | FPWA-E0S0 |
| Blaze casts Bolt 3 | F3WA-E6S0 |
| Blaze casts Bolt 4 | F7WA-E8S0 |
| Blaze casts Heal 3 | C3WA-FNH0 |
| Blaze casts Heal 4 | C7WA-FRH0 |
| Blaze casts Aura 3 | DPWA-F0H0 |
| Egress requires 0 MP to use | ABWT-EAB2 |
| Blaze requires 0 MP to use | ABWA-EAH2 |
| Blaze 2 requires 0 MP to use | ABWA-EAH6 |
| Blaze 3 requires 0 MP to use | ABWT-EAAA |
| Bolt requires 0 MP to use | ABWT-EAA2 |
| Bolt 2 requires 0 MP to use | ABWT-EAA6 |
| Bolt 3 requires 0 MP to use | ABWT-EABA |
| Bolt 4 requires 0 MP to use | ABWT-EABE |
| Freeze 2 requires 0 MP to use | ABWT-EAAN |
| Freeze 3 requires 0 MP to use | ABWT-EAAY |
| Aura 2 requires 0 MP to use | ABWA-EAD2 |
| Aura 3 requires 0 MP to use | ABWA-EAD6 |
| Aura 4 requires 0 MP to use | ABWA-EAEE |
| Heal requires 0 MP to use | ABWA-EADJ |
| Heal 2 requires 0 MP to use | ABWA-EADN |
| Heal 3 requires 0 MP to use | ABWA-EADT |
| Heal 4 requires 0 MP to use | ABWA-EADY |
| Heal has the effect of Heal 3 | C3WA-FNDG |
| Heal has the effect of Heal 4 | C7WA-FRDG |
| Muddle has the effect of Bolt 3 | F3WA-E6SG |
| Muddle has the effect of Bolt 4 | F7WT-E8L0 |
Miscellaneous Codes
| Effect | Code |
|---|---|
| Walk Through Walls on the Map | ALCT-AA6Y ALDA-AA24 ALDA-AA7E ALDT-AA3L |
| Selected Character Is Invincible | AVEV-EA9E RZFB-E6TT |
| Walk Through Walls In Towns | REEA-C6WL |
| Enemies Will Not Attack | ACCA-AA2E |
| At the start of the game, the king will give you 25,600 in currency instead of 10 | V7GT-F3GJ |
And if you have an Action Replay, check out all of the cool cheat codes you can use below.
Action Replay Codes
Max Codes
| Effect | Code |
|---|---|
| Max has Infinite Money | FF9C8F:00FF |
| Max has Max HP | FF9CA5:00FF |
| Max has Infinite HP | FF9CA7:00FF |
| Max has Max MP | FF9CA8:0063 |
| Max has Infinite MP | FF9CA9:0063 |
| Max has Max Attack Power | FF9C9E:0063 |
| Max has Max Defense | FF9C9F:0063 |
| Max has Max Agility | FF9CA0:0063 |
| Max has Max Movement | FF9CA1:0063 |
| Max is Level 99 | FF9C9D:0063 |
Allied Forces Codes
| Effect | Code |
|---|---|
| Arthur has Max HP | FF9D95:00FF |
| Arthur is Max Level | FF9D8D:0063 |
| Arthur has Max Agility | FF9D91:0063 |
| Arthur has Max Attack Power | FF9D8E:0063 |
| Arthur has Max Defense | FF9D8F:0063 |
| Arthur has Max Movement | FF9D90:0063 |
| Earnest has Max HP | FF9D6F:0063 |
| Earnest is Max Level | FF9D65:0063 |
| Earnest has Max Agility | FF9D68:0063 |
| Earnest has Max Attack Power | FF9D66:0063 |
| Earnest has Max Defense | FF9D67:0063 |
| Earnest has Max Movement | FF9D69:0009 |
| Ken has Max HP | FF9D1F:00FF |
| Ken is Max Level | FF9D15:0063 |
| Ken has Max Agility | FF9D18:0063 |
| Ken has Max Attack Power | FF9D16:0063 |
| Ken has Max Defense | FF9D17:0063 |
| Ken has Max Movement | FF9D19:0063 |
| Mae has Max HP | FF9CCF:00FF |
| Mae is Max Level | FF9CC5:0063 |
| Mae has Max Agility | FF9CC9:0063 |
| Mae has Max Attack Power | FF9CC6:0063 |
| Mae has Max Defense | FF9CC7:0063 |
| Mae has Max Movement | FF9CC8:0063 |
| Pelle has Max HP | FF9CF7:00FF |
| Pelle is Max Level | FF9CED:0063 |
| Pelle has Max Attack Power | FF9CEF:0063 |
| Pelle has Max Defense | FF9CF5:00FF |
| Pelle has Max Movement | FF9CF0:0063 |
| Pelle has Max Agility | FF9CF1:0063 |
| Vankar has Max HP | FF9D47:00FF |
| Vankar is Max Level | FF9D3D:0063 |
| Vankar has Max Agility | FF9D41:0063 |
| Vankar has Max Attack Power | FF9D3E:0063 |
| Vankar has Max Defense | FF9D3F:0063 |
| Vankar has Max Movement | FF9D40:0063 |
Miscellaneous Codes
| Effect | Code |
|---|---|
| All Allied Force Members Unlockerd | FF9C8C:FFFF |
| Auto Battle | FFB0AA:0000 |
| Enable Debug Menu | FFB0AC:00FF |
Unfortunately for the other platforms, there are no cheat codes. But there are several universal exploits for you to try out.
- Heal Range: When you get Heal Level 4, press Left to change it to Level 3. Press B and it will change back to Level 4, but now it will have the same range as Level 3. This will also work with any other magic spell.
- Start with +1: Enter SEGA as your name to start with +1HP and +1MP
- Name All Characters: After starting a new game, go to the Name Your Character screen. Hold Start+A+B+C on Controller 2 while holding Start+A+C on Controller 1. You will see another character. Continue these steps to name all characters or as many as you want to change.
Shining Force Cheat Code FAQ
Does Shining Force have any cheat codes?
Yes! Not only does the game have cheat codes, but for players with a device like the Game Genie or Action Replay there are even more. Several codes give unique advantages like unlocking certain characters, granting infinite money, and more.
What are cheat codes?
Cheat codes are exploits that can change the game’s behavior and give players an advantage. They may help move on to a different level, make the player completely immune to damage, or do some other action that wouldn’t take place without them.
They can also make the game more accessible and appealing to casual gamers or those who find its current state inaccessible.
What is an Action Replay?
An Action Replay is a cheat device that allows players to input different cheats and passwords for multiple different consoles like the SNES, Game Cube, Commodore 64, GameBoy Advanced, and so much more. They manipulate the memory of the game code itself to allow cheats like infinite health, more powerful weapons, and even saving the game when it is not intended to have a save mechanic.
What is a Game Genie?
A Game Genie is another cheat device, similar to the Action Replay. They are available for many retro consoles like the NES, SNES, original Game Boy, Genesis, and more. While they are very similar, Action Replay devices alter the RAM while Game Genies alter the ROM.
What makes a cheat device different?
Since developers intentionally implement traditional cheat codes in their games, not every game has them. But that does not mean players don’t want them. Hence, cheat devices were born. Devices like the Game Genie or Action Replay allow players to do things the developer did not intend, while the developers implement regular cheat codes.