Ys III: Wanderers from Ys is a 1989 action RPG developed and published by Nihon Falcom. The game began life on the PC-8801 and PC-9801, but in the years that followed, slowly made its way onto other platforms such as the SNES, NES, Sega Genesis, and even the PlayStation 2 as recently as 2005.
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys Premise
©Screenshot from Ys III: Wanderers from Ys.
The gameplay of Ys III: Wanderers from Ys takes a huge turn from the earlier titles in the series, which previously focused on a top-down camera. Instead, this game takes a side-scroller approach, which was extremely popular with other games at the time. Adol no longer automatically attacks his foes, making the game’s combat a more engaging experience.
Although the game is considered an RPG, it’s not the modern RPG you might be imagining. There are no branching story paths or huge decisions to make. It doesn’t even let you explore an open world, opting for a more linear experience. Instead, it’s an RPG in how you gain XP, purchase new equipment from stores, and choose how you build your character for the most effectiveness in combat. These systems work in the same way they do in previous titles in the series, providing one solid gameplay thread for fans of the series to cling to.
If anything, Ys III: Wanderers from Ys is a little too simple for its own good. Its status as the only side-scroller in the series makes it something of a black sheep among fans, making it more of a curiosity than anything else.
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys Main Characters
©Screenshot from Ys III: Wanderers from Ys.
As one of the earlier games in the series, Ys III: Wanderers from Ys is responsible for continuing to establish the lore that many later titles would continue to follow. This is the case with its characters, too, continuing the story of Adol Christin, the main protagonist of the franchise.
As an RPG, the characters are such an important part of the experience. Unlike many modern RPGs, Ys III: Wanderers from Ys offers very limited opportunities for players to actually affect the storyline through their actions, meaning the characters that gamers meet will be the same in every playthrough. Here are the main characters you should be aware of:
- Adol Christin: Adol is the main protagonist of the Ys series as a whole. The silent protagonist has a craving for adventure, and a desire to help those in need.
- Dogi: Dogi is the loyal best friend of Adol Christin. When adventure beckons, Dogi accompanies his friend for the ride.
- Elena Stoddart: Elena is the main heroine of the game. Her role begins as a childhood friend of Dogi, but is thrust into the adventure after a chance meeting with Adol.
- Chester Stoddart: Chester is Elena’s brother, and one of the main antagonists for the game. Despite his evil deeds, Chester shows he isn’t beyond redemption.
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys Titles in the Series
©Screenshot from Ys III: Wanderers from Ys.
The Ys series has a rich history dating all the way back to its inception in 1987. Over the years, the gameplay of the series has evolved considerably, with developer Nihon Falcom not afraid to take risks with innovation.
Releases were relatively frequent until 1995, when the series took an eight-year hiatus before its next iteration. It’s definitely a series that has prioritized quality over quantity, an approach that has allowed Ys to survive into the modern era.
The most recent game in the Ys series arrived in 2023, with original developer Nihon Falcon still at the helm. With this in mind, it’s hard to imagine that the long-running series is going anywhere anytime soon.
- Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished (1987)
- Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished – The Final Chapter (1988)
- Ys III: Wanderers from Ys (1989)
- Ys IV: Mask of the Sun (1993)
- Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys (1993)
- Ys V: Lost Kegin, Kingdom of Sand (1995)
- Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim (2003)
- Ys: The Oath in Felghana (2005)
- Ys Strategy (2006)
- Ys Origin (2006)
- Ys Seven (2009)
- Ys vs. Trails in the Sky (2010)
- Ys: Memories of Celceta (2012)
- Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana (2016)
- Ys IX: Monstrum Nox (2019)
- Ys X: Nordics (2023)
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys Cheat Codes
©Screenshot from Ys III: Wanderers from Ys.
If you’re looking for cheats you can use in Ys III: Wanderers from Ys, you’re out of luck. Unfortunately, they don’t exist, with the original developer not including them in the game.
That doesn’t mean you’re totally out of luck, though. If you’re playing the game on an SNES or Sega Genesis emulator, there are two sets of third-party Game Genie cheats that you can enter to change the game in a bunch of different ways. These are entered in the Cheats section of whatever emulator you’re using – just make sure you’re using the codes for the right platform!
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys Game Genie Cheats (Sega Genesis Version)
| Cheat Code | Cheat Code Effect |
|---|---|
| C2CA-AA7R | This is the Master Code. Activate this before using any of the cheats in this table. |
| 8WBT-ACCN | Amulet costs $500 (instead of $1000). |
| WB7A-ACGL | Broad Sword costs $4,000 (instead of $8,000). |
| GLAT-AAGN | Herb costs $50 (instead of $100). |
| 9LBA-AAG6 | Mirror costs $250 (instead of $500). |
| ZCBT-AC72 | Necklace costs $25,000 (instead of $50,000). |
| 3B7A-AADA | Short Sword costs $200 (instead of $400). |
| TAVA-ABHW | Start a new game with Banded Armor and Battle Armor. |
| TAVA-ABHN | Start a new game with the Broad Sword and the Banded Slayer. |
| TAVA-ABHT | Start a new game with Chain Mail and Plate Mail. |
| TAVA-ABHR | Start a new game with the Flame Sword and Leather Armor. |
| TAVA-ABH6 | Start a new game with the Heal Ring and Protect Ring. |
| TAVA-ABH0 | Start a new game with the Large Shield and Banded Shield. |
| TAVA-ABH4 | Start a new game with the Shield Ring and Time Ring. |
| TAVA-ABHL | Start a new game with the Short Sword and Long Sword. |
| TAVA-ABH2 | Start a new game with the Battle Shield and Power Ring. |
| BD0T-AA42 | Makes you almost invincible. |
| A4BT-AACE | You get six uses from the Amulet (instead of three). |
| A4BA-AACN | You get six uses from the Brosha Serum (instead of three). |
| A4BA-AAGY | You get six uses from the Mirror (instead of three). |
| BD0T-AA42 | Gives you infinite energy. |
| ALAA-AA3W ALDA-AA5C | Gives you infinite gold. |
| RFWT-A6XT | Gives you infinite Ring power (ring must be charged once before this code works). |
| AM0T-AA5L BD0T-AA42 | Gives you invincibility. |
| RFNA-A6X4 RFNT-A61W | Allows you to jump while in mid-air. |
| KD0A-AH3A | Makes enemies easier to defeat. |
| KD0A-AD3A | Makes enemies much easier to defeat. |
| AH0A-BA3A RH0A-A6VC | Makes enemies harder to defeat. |
| B4AA-AA3E | Power Ring recharge now costs nothing. |
| AWDA-AA5A | Makes all items cost nothing. |
| RFNA-A6X4 RFNT-A61W Y3MT-AD9Y Y3PA-AD2R | Enables moon jump. |
| NWAA-AAB0 NV9T-AAFY | Recharges Ring power to 100. |
| GLAA-AAB0 GK9T-AAFY | Recharges Ring power to 50. |
| 8WAA-ACB0 8V9T-ACFY | Recharges Ring power to 500. |
| 74AA-AEB0 739T-AEFY | Recharges Ring power to 750. |
| 68AA-AGB0 679T-AGFY | Recharges Ring power to 999. |
| ETVA-ACC6 4EVA-BADA C6VA-BA48 | Start a new game with all weapons, armor, shields, rings, and equipable items. |
| AATT-AAHR | Start the game with 0 gold. |
| HTVA-BAN2 BJVA-AAE4 | Start the game with 10 HP. |
| RETT-A606 9TTT-BCR8 CATT-ARSA | Start the game with 10,000 XP. |
| CATT-ARSR | Start the game with 10,000 gold. |
| NTTT-AAHR | Start the game with 100 gold. |
| HTVA-BAN2 NTVA-AAE4 | Start the game with 100 HP. |
| RETT-A606 9TTT-BCR8 XATT-BYSA | Start the game with 15,000 XP. |
| RETT-A606 9TTT-BCR8 EATT-A61A | Start the game with 20,000 XP. |
| EATT-A61R | Start the game with 20,000 gold. |
| RETT-A606 9TTT-BCR8 ZATT-AC9A | Start the game with 25,000 XP. |
| HTVA-BAN2 9JVA-AAE4 | Start the game with 250 HP. |
| GATT-BL9R | Start the game with 30,000 gold. |
| FTTT-ACHR | Start the game with 300 gold. |
| RETT-A606 9TTT-BCR8 STTT-BFHA | Start the game with 37,500 XP. |
| HTVA-BAN2 FAVA-AAE4 | Start the game with 40 HP. |
| JATT-B3HR | Start the game with 40,000 gold. |
| RETT-A606 9TTT-BCR8 VATT-BGHA | Start the game with 5,000 XP. |
| VATT-BGHR | Start the game with 5,000 gold. |
| RETT-A606 9TTT-BCR8 LATT-AH1A | Start the game with 50,000 XP. |
| LATT-AH1R | Start the game with 50,000 gold. |
| 8TTT-ACHR | Start the game with 500 gold. |
| HTVA-BAN2 8TVA-ACE4 | Start the game with 500 HP. |
| HTVA-BAN2 HTVA-AAE4 | Start the game with 60 HP. |
| RETT-A606 9TTT-BCR8 96TT-B99A | Start the game with 65,535 XP. |
| 96TT-B99R | Start the game with 700 gold. |
| HTVA-BAN2 72VA-AEE4 | Start the game with 750 HP. |
| HTVA-BAN2 LAVA-AAE4 | Start the game with 80 HP. |
| HTVA-BAN2 B6VA-ARN4 | Start the game with 9,999 HP. |
| TTTT-AGHR | Start the game with 900 gold. |
| HTVA-BAN2 66VA-AGE4 | Start the game with 999 HP. |
| 0AHT-AJAC | The Mirror freezes enemies for twice as long as normal. |
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys Game Genie Cheats (SNES Version)
| Cheat Code | Cheat Code Effect |
|---|---|
| CBBB-A192 | Makes you gain XP a little quicker. |
| CBBB-A192 79BB-A1B2 | Makes you gain XP much quicker. |
| CBBB-A192 EEBB-A5B2 | You now gain 250 XP from each enemy. |
| CBBB-A192 EEBB-A0B2 | You now gain 26 XP from each enemy, but they won’t die. |
| 6DB8-65F2 6DBA-6922 6DBC-6522 6DB2-69F2 | You can now hit enemies from anywhere. |
| 6DEB-D46F DCEB-D4AF | As long as you have enough money to purchase an item, then that item will be free after you buy it. |
| EDC5-0D6D BAC6-6FDD 6DC6-040D 8DBD-DF04 | Allows you to jump while in mid-air. Be careful with this, as if you jump off-screen you can be trapped. |
| DDBA-A922 | Gives you maximum gold when you kill an enemy. |
| DDC5-0D07 DDC5-04A7 | Every time you kill an enemy, you level up. |
| EDC5-0D6D BAC6-6FDD 6DC6-040D | Gives you moon jump. |
| C2B3-D092 | Makes you invincible against most enemies. |
| 1082-012E | Allows you to start with 100 HP rather than 20. |
| D58E-00BE | Allows you to start with 2,024 gold. |
| 038E-00BE | Allows you to start with 20,200 gold. |
| A682-012E | Allows you to start with 200 HP rather than 20. |
| EE82-012E | Allows you to start with 255 HP rather than 20. |
| BA8E-00BE | Allows you to start with 40,168 gold. |
| DF8E-00BE | Allows you to start with 488 gold. |
| EE8E-01FE | Allows you to start with 65,280 XP. |
| EE8E-00BE | Allows you to start with 65,512 gold. |
| 498E-00BE | Allows you to start with 9,704 gold. |
| DF38-D4AD B238-D7DD CD38-D70D F438-D76D | After you view Equipment, you’ll receive all of it for free. |
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys Cheat Code FAQs
©Screenshot from Ys III: Wanderers from Ys.
What is the Invincibility Cheat in Ys III: Wanderers from Ys?
By using Game Genie cheats, you can activate invincibility, but only in the Sega Genesis version of the game. To do this, you need to enter the code “AM0T-AA5L BD0T-AA42.”
How Do I Enter Ys III: Wanderers from Ys Cheats?
As long as you’re using a popular SNES or Sega Genesis emulator, entering Ys III: Wanderers from Ys chetas is extremely simple. Regardless of which emulator you use, it should have a section within its settings title Cheats, or something similar. Find this – here, you’ll be able to enter the cheat codes above.
Does Ys III: Wanderers from Ys Have Achievements?
No. The most recent release of the game was on the PlayStation 2, just missing the window when players could expect achievements to be a part of their gaming experience.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Screenshot from Ys III: Wanderers from Ys..