BONUS | Lite Switch: Feb 5, 2026 | The Complete Cheat Code Compendium kickstarter
About this episode
Cyril from Defunct Games discusses the Kickstarter for GameShark Returns: The Complete Cheat Code Compendium and the evolution of cheat codes in gaming.
In this bonus midseason LiteSwitch episode, Cyril from Defunct Games is here to talk to Mike and Jaymo about GameShark Returns: The Complete Cheat Code Compendium, a book that Cyril’s working on with InterAct Accessories co-founder Todd Hays. With an already successful kickstarter campaign, GameShark Returns: The Complete Cheat Code Compendium is currently set for release in Fall 2026. In this episode, we talk about what the differences are between easter eggs, glitches, and cheat codes, how cheat codes and hidden strategies were used to sell video game magazines, try to recollect if cheat codes were stigmatized in the 90s, and how cheat codes functioned as early accessibility options. Along the way we also look back on the loss of rentals in the video game ecosystem, try to figure out why Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s debug mode doesn’t get more attention, and decry how DLC is replacing cheat codes. Thanks for listening, and a very special thanks to Kristal Fields of The Lazy Circles for our catchy theme song! Subscribe to The Old SwitchAroo to get more retro goodness delivered straight to your feed! You can also join the fun on https://www.theoldswitcharoo.com , where you'll find…
Topics covered
- cheat codes
- video game history
- Kickstarter
- accessibility in gaming
- easter eggs
- glitches
- video game magazines
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