# Action Replay

> Brand of video game cheating devices

**Wikidata**: [Q164653](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q164653)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_Replay)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/action-replay

## Summary
Action Replay is a brand of video game cheating devices, specifically cheat cartridges that attach to home computers or consoles to modify game code, enabling cheating, advantages, or unlocking hidden features. It is a subclass of ROM cartridges and is classified as cheating video game hardware, alongside brands like GameShark and Game Genie.

## Key Facts
- Action Replay is a brand of cheat cartridges, a type of cheating video game hardware.
- Cheat cartridges are hardware devices that attach to home computers or consoles to modify game code.
- They are classified as a subclass of ROM cartridges and are categorized as cheating video game hardware.
- Notable brands related to cheat cartridges include Action Replay, GameShark, Game Genie, and Code Breaker.
- The cheat cartridge has Wikipedia entries in English, Galician, Portuguese, Chinese, and Cantonese.
- It has a sitelink count of 5 across various data sources.
- Its main category on Wikidata is Category:Cheat cartridges.
- Action Replay is manufactured by Datel and has related entities such as Konami Game Master and Razerpak.
- The entity has a sitelink count of 11 and is recognized in multiple languages, including English, German, Spanish, Finnish, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Swedish.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of a cheat cartridge?
A: The primary function of a cheat cartridge is to allow modification of a video game's code, enabling users to alter gameplay, gain advantages, or unlock hidden content.

### Q: What types of devices are considered cheat cartridges?
A: Cheat cartridges are hardware devices that typically connect to a home computer or console, classified as cheating video game hardware and a subclass of ROM cartridges.

### Q: Can you name some well-known brands of cheat cartridges?
A: Well-known brands related to cheat cartridges include Action Replay, GameShark, Game Genie, and Code Breaker, which are recognized for producing devices that facilitate cheating in video games.

## Why It Matters
Cheat cartridges, including Action Replay, hold significant historical and cultural importance in video gaming by empowering players with unprecedented control over game mechanics. They allowed users to bypass intended challenges, unlock hidden content, and explore games in ways not envisioned by developers. This democratized game modification, making it accessible to players without programming expertise. The rise of cheat cartridges fostered a subculture of experimentation, influencing game design by prompting developers to implement anti-cheat measures and sometimes integrate official cheat codes. Their legacy is evident in modern software-based cheat tools and ongoing discussions about player freedom and game integrity.

## Notable For
- Being a physical hardware device that directly modifies game code on consoles and home computers.
- Its role as a precursor to modern software-based game modification tools.
- Fostering a widespread culture of cheating in video games before online multiplayer and anti-cheat systems.
- Serving as the parent category for iconic brands like Game Genie and Action Replay.
- Its classification as a subclass of ROM cartridge, defining its physical form factor and interaction with gaming systems.

## Body
### Definition and Functionality
Action Replay is a brand of cheat cartridges, which are specialized hardware devices designed to attach to home computers or consoles. Their fundamental purpose is to modify a game's underlying code during gameplay, allowing users to alter parameters, gain advantages, or unlock inaccessible content. The device functions by intercepting and altering data between the console/computer and the game's ROM.

### Classification and Relationships
Action Replay is categorized as cheating video game hardware and a subclass of ROM cartridges. Key related entities include:
- **Parent/Class:**
  - Cheating video game hardware
  - Multiface (a computer accessory)
- **Related Brands and Devices:**
  - GameShark
  - Game Genie
  - Code Breaker
  - Konami Game Master
  - Razerpak

### Global Presence and Categorization
Action Replay is recognized internationally, with Wikipedia entries in multiple languages, including English, Galician, Portuguese, Chinese, and Cantonese. On Wikidata, it is assigned to the main category "Category:Cheat cartridges" and has a sitelink count of 11. It is manufactured by Datel and has related identifiers such as a Freebase ID and a Sega Retro ID.

### Historical and Cultural Impact
Action Replay, along with other cheat cartridges, played a pivotal role in shaping video gaming culture by enabling players to bypass intended challenges and explore games in unconventional ways. This led to the development of anti-cheat measures and, ironically, the integration of official cheat codes into games. The devices also sparked discussions about fair play, player freedom, and the evolving boundaries of gameplay, influencing both single-player and multiplayer contexts.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013