Released in 1995, Killer Instinct pushed the Super Nintendo to its limits. With digitized graphics, over-the-top characters and insane combo systems, it quickly became one of the most memorable fighting games of the 16-bit era.

Of course, no retro gaming adventure would be complete without introducing the Game Genie into the mix!

For this experiment I loaded up the SNES version of Killer Instinct and tested a collection of Game Genie codes ranging from playable boss characters and instant victories to one-hit knockouts and bizarre glitches. Some of these cheats were incredibly useful, while others completely broke the game in hilarious ways.

Master Code Required

Before using any of the following cheats, you’ll need to enter the Killer Instinct master code:

3C61-D4DF

This code must be active for many of the other cheats to function correctly.

Play As Eyedol

One of the first cheats I had to try was a code that allows you to play as Eyedol, the game’s intimidating two-headed boss.

Normally Eyedol is reserved for the computer-controlled endgame battles, but with this cheat enabled he becomes playable regardless of which character you select.

It’s always fun when a cheat unlocks a boss character, and Eyedol certainly looks imposing when he’s smashing his way through the roster.

The “No Jumps” Glitch

Some cheat codes don’t make games easier—they just make them weird.

The “No Jumps” code prevents your character from leaving the ground. Instead of jumping, characters rapidly twitch and squat in place whenever you attempt to leap.

It’s completely impractical, but definitely good for a laugh.

Skip Straight To The Ending

Ever wanted to see a character’s ending without fighting through the entire game?

One cheat instantly sends you to the selected character’s ending sequence the moment a game begins. It’s a handy shortcut if you’re curious about the various story endings and credits scenes.

I was particularly amused seeing Jago’s future plans after defeating an assortment of monsters and mutants.

One Button Finishers

Things started getting really strange with a cheat that automated special moves, enders and finishers.

Pressing certain buttons would instantly trigger humiliations, combo breakers and other advanced techniques without requiring complicated inputs.

At one point I managed to transform into my opponent before the game promptly froze. That’s usually a sign you’ve wandered into territory the developers never intended players to visit.

CPU Refuses To Fight Back

One of the more amusing cheats completely disables the computer opponent’s aggression.

The CPU simply stands there while you attack at will.

While Killer Instinct already includes a training mode, there’s still something entertaining about watching supposedly fearsome opponents refuse to throw a single punch.

If nothing else, it makes you look incredibly skilled in front of unsuspecting friends.

One Hit K.O. Madness

Perhaps the most dramatic cheat of all gives every attack the power to instantly deplete an opponent’s entire health bar.

One punch.

One kick.

One victory.

Naturally, this applies to both fighters.

During testing I somehow managed to trade blows with my opponent at the exact same moment, resulting in both health bars disappearing instantly. Unfortunately my character collapsed first, handing the win to the CPU.

Attacks That Hit From Anywhere

This cheat is completely broken in the best possible way.

With it enabled, any attack performed by Player 1 automatically damages the opponent regardless of distance.

You can be standing on opposite sides of the screen, throw out a random kick, and somehow your opponent still takes damage.

It’s ridiculous, overpowered and incredibly entertaining.

Instant Victories

Why bother fighting at all?

With another cheat enabled, the game automatically awards you victory the moment each match begins.

The roster cycles by at lightning speed as character after character falls before you without a single button press.

It’s probably the easiest speedrun you’ll ever attempt.

Infinite Health

No collection of Game Genie codes would be complete without infinite health.

This classic cheat prevents your health bar from decreasing no matter how much punishment you take.

Unlike some of the more outrageous codes, infinite health still lets you experience the game normally while removing most of the challenge.

No Stage Boundaries

This cheat removes the invisible walls that normally keep fighters contained within the arena.

On Glacier’s stage I was able to keep moving beyond the normal play area as the background repeatedly wrapped around itself.

The result was a surprisingly fascinating visual glitch that made the stages feel far larger than intended.

Super High Jumps

Another favourite dramatically increases jump height.

Pressing up launches your character so high into the air that they practically leave the atmosphere.

It’s not exactly a practical fighting strategy, but it certainly makes escaping danger easy.

Beat The Game After One Fight

The final cheat tested allows you to complete the entire game after winning just a single battle.

After defeating the first opponent, the game immediately jumps to the ending sequence.

There were a few graphical oddities and scrambled sprites along the way, but the cheat worked exactly as advertised.

Final Thoughts

Killer Instinct was already one of the most entertaining fighting games on the Super Nintendo, but adding Game Genie codes takes the experience to another level.

Whether you’re playing as Eyedol, knocking opponents out with a single hit, removing stage boundaries or simply watching the CPU forget how to fight, these cheats provide a fascinating look at how games can behave when pushed beyond their intended limits.

Some cheats make the game easier, some make it stranger, and a few completely break reality altogether.

And honestly, that’s exactly why Game Genie codes remain so much fun nearly three decades later.

If you enjoyed this retro gaming experiment, be sure to check out more SNES Game Genie videos here on Super Mayhem, where we continue finding new ways to break classic games.