Action Replay

Overview

Action Replay was a series of cartridges and devices produced by Datel that enabled users to freeze running software, search and modify memory, create cheats, and save snapshots. Available for the Commodore 64, Amiga, and various consoles, it became the go-to tool for cheat creation and—controversially—software backup.

Fast Facts

Manufacturer: Datel
First version: ~1985 (C64)
Platforms: C64, Amiga, SNES, Genesis, others
Function: Freeze, cheat, backup
Reception: Hugely popular
Controversy: Piracy implications

Platform Versions

Platform	Version	Era
C64	Action Replay	1985+
Amiga	Action Replay I/II/III	1988+
SNES	Pro Action Replay	1992+
Genesis	Pro Action Replay	1992+

Capabilities

Feature	Use
Freeze	Stop any program
Cheat search	Find value locations
Poke	Modify memory
Save	Snapshot to disk
Monitor	Disassemble code
Fast loader	Speed disk access (C64)

C64 Action Replay

The original version featured:

Freeze button
Fast loader (turbo tape/disk)
Memory monitor
Sprite viewer
Cheat creation tools

Amiga Action Replay

More sophisticated:

Full 68000 monitor
Disassembler
Memory search
Copper list viewer
Disk tools

Console Versions

Adapted for different markets:

Platform	Focus
SNES	Pre-made cheat codes
Genesis	Game enhancement
Later	Code entry, not discovery

Cheat Discovery Process

Similar to Multiface:

Note value (lives, energy)
Search memory for that value
Change value in game
Search again
Identify correct address
Modify to desired value

Controversy

Action Replay existed in grey areas:

Legitimate: Cheat creation, development
Grey: Backing up owned games
Illegal: Software piracy
Response: Publishers hated it

Legacy

Action Replay democratised game modification, creating the cheat code culture that would eventually become mainstream through console devices like Game Genie. It proved there was demand for player control over game difficulty.

The cheat cartridge