Hidden messages in roms

Hewitson

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Today I discovered a hidden message in the JP version of Donkey Kong:

CONGRATULATION !IF YOU ANALYSE DIFFICULT THIS PROGRAM,WE WOULD TEACH YOU.*****TEL.TOKYO-JAPAN 044(244)2151 EXTENTION 304 SYSTEM DESIGN IKEGAMI CO. LIM.

Does anyone know of any other games with hidden messages?
 
That's cool. Seems like they're saying, "If you can read this, we might hire you".
 
I had a pcb laying around at one of my stores and printed on it was "I wish I was looking at a beer right now"

Don't even know what game it was from nor the manufacturer. But it was funny
 
I thought there was a collection of PCB pictures with funny printing on them. Most were ATARI if I remember correctly.
 
It seems it wasn't known until recently, but Donkey Kong wasn't actually programmed by Nintendo. It was programmed by Ikegami Co, an engineering firm that also coded Congo Bongo and Zaxxon for Sega. Nintendo hasn't been able to release an emulated version of the original Donkey Kong because they don't even own the code for it. Sorry if that's off-topic, just remembered that after seeing that message.

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6422/the_secret_history_of_donkey_kong.php
 
I had a pcb laying around at one of my stores and printed on it was "I wish I was looking at a beer right now"

Don't even know what game it was from nor the manufacturer. But it was funny


It's on the sound board from Atari's San Francisco Rush The Rock - Alcatraz Edition:

arcadesanfranrushrock.png
 
Not really a message, but isnt there unused audio snippets in Star Wars or ESB?
 
Does anyone know of any other games with hidden messages?

Most of these are coded as graphics, but a few (such as Space Invaders II and Super Punch-Out) are coded as text in the roms.

(Part 1)

A.P.B.
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: The initials "AM" appear in the mouth of one of the criminals, as well as the initials "AJM" on the hat of another. There's also a steam locomotive with the name "MURPHY" on the side of it. These are all for artist Alan Murphy.


BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: Near the end of the video is a frame of signatures from everyone who worked on putting this test game together. "Chris" might be Chris J. Horseman, who was the project leader for the unreleased Atari arcade game, The Last Starfighter. "Michon" is Ted Michon, another former Last Starfighter team member, "AJM" is likely graphics artist Alan J. Murphy. Unknown: the name in the top-left corner ("MShoo"?), the name in the bottom-center ("Rubin"? for Owen Rubin?) and "The Master" (?).


BIG EVENT GOLF
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: Some of the larger (?) rocks around the course boundaries have messages on them, such as "NENKO", "SASAEI", and "OFHARA". These are thought to be the programmer names. You have to get the ball right next to it to make out the text clearly, but often you can tell if a rock has it from about 50 yards out (you can see one from the 16th tee).


CRYSTAL CASTLES
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: On level 5 (Berthilda's Palace), grab the hat and enter the large door where Berthilda is. Run over her (for 3,000 points) and go to the corner of the room where she was and JUMP. The initials "FXL" (for Franz Lanziger) will appear in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. This also happens if you jump in the back corner on 6/4.
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: Lanziger built 2 castles using initials from friends of his. On Hidden Spiral, "DES" stands for Desiree McCrorey, "SSM" is for Sam Mehta, and "BBM" for Brian McGhee (a former Atari game designer). On Berthilda's Palace, the initials are harder to make out, as they are cutouts in the floor. "EDG" is the initials of Eric Ginner (another former Atari game designer), while "MAR" stands for Mark Robichek. All of these people were famous video game players at the time.
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: Lanziger's initials also appear several times on the high score table (by default), and as a result they comprise the first castle. Another former Atari designer's initials, "MEC" (for Mark Cerny) also appear.


DELUXE SPACE INVADERS
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: During the attract mode, press RIGHT+FIRE+2P and then LEFT+FIRE+1P. After a few seconds the message "Taito Corp" will appear beneath the high score.


DIG DUG
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: Put the game into the test/service mode, press (and hold) the player-1 FIRE button, and move the joystick UP 6x, RIGHT 3x, DOWN 4x, and LEFT 8x. A copyright message will appear.


DISCS OF TRON
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: At the title screen, hold down 1P+2P+FIRE+LEFT to change the title screen credit from "© 1983 BALLY MIDWAY" to (A) BFC DINNERMAN".


DOMINO MAN
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: At the title screen, hold down 1P+2P to reveal the full design team credits.


DRAGON'S LAIR II: TIME WARP
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: When the dragon appears, there are words hidden in the fire and smoke of its breath, which spell out "BEWARE THE JABBERWOCKY, BEWARE". "BEWARE" is spelled out in the tea tidal wave.. This is in reference to the game's obvious Alice in Wonderland storyline.


• HIDDEN MESSAGE: On the title screen, the initials "MSP" (for designer Mark Stephen Pierce) can be seen in the lower-right corner.


• HIDDEN MESSAGE: "hi Jon" is coded as graphics in the program. It's currently unknown whether or not they can be triggered to appear onscreen.


GALAGA
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: Put the game into the test/service mode, press (and hold) FIRE, and move the joystick RIGHT (5x), LEFT (6x), RIGHT (3x), and LEFT (7x). The message "(C) 1981 NAMCO LTD." will appear. This also works on most bootleg boards.


GAUNTLET
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: The initials "AM" (for graphic artist Alan Murphy) appear on the title screen, under the "AU" in "GAUNTLET".


GOLF TRAINER
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: Hidden in the footage is a picture of Carrie Fisher in her iron bikini outfit from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi!


JOURNEY
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: A secret credit screen can be triggered, which will list the programmer's names along with tiny digitized pictures of them. The pictures are in the code, but the method described in MAME to trigger them doesn't work (either on a real machine or in MAME). Here's the method - on the attract screen (the one with the face), press 1P Start + 2P Start + FIRE and push the joystick to the LEFT.


KLAX
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: In the prototype versions, the message "HI LISA, ROBIN, MOM & DAD" is coded as graphics in the program. It's currently unknown whether or not they can be triggered to appear onscreen.


KRULL
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: Open the coin door and hold down the SELECT button while turning on the power (simply pull out on the coin-door interlock switch). 64 black and white heads of J.R. "Bob" Dobbs (Church of the Sub-Genius) will bounce around the screen.


LIBBLE RABBLE
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: Quickly toggle the service mode on and off again so that the monitor test grid remains on the screen, and then push UP 9x, RIGHT 2x, DOWN 9x, and LEFT 2x. The message "© 1983 NAMCO LTD." will appear.


• HIDDEN MESSAGE: You can slip through a bottom corner of level 1,5,9,13,17,ect., where you'll fall down through space and will see a special surprise (a list of names)!


MS. PAC-MAN
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: From the BOOT6 ROM image (check your MAME zip), about halfway in, it says: "GENERAL COMPUTER CORPORATION Hello, Nakamura!" (Masaya Nakamura was then the head of Namco).
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: "GENCOMP" is coded as graphics in the program. When the game is initializing, you can see the "G" appear several times.


NIBBLER
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: In the attract mode, if you push the joystick in any direction when the yellow grid appears (right before the title screen graphics appear), you'll see the letters "J-U" in the lower-right corner. On a real arcade machine, you might see "J-U6" or "J-U9", which denotes which version of the game it is.


ORBIT
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: The initials "LR" (for Lyle Rains), "OR" (for Owen Rubin), "ATARI", "Ly" (for ?), "Mh" (for Morgan Hoff), and "PM" (for Paul Mancuso?) can be found in the program, coded as graphics. According to Rubin, it's quite possible these can be triggered to appear on the screen! From Owen Rubin-
"That game was before we were allowed to put our names in the game. Originally, entering my home phone number at the time would display the initials. I have NO idea what my number was at that time, but when scanning the code, if you see some tests on the options panel for a series of numbers, that's what it was going to be. It was originally my birth date followed by my SSN, but I did not want that info in the ROMS anywhere!
• To see all the graphics (including the initials), enter the test mode, set the NEXT TEST switch on, and then start toggling the DIAG TEST switch.


OUTRUN
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: As you drive through the fork in the road (at any level), press START. The message "PROGRAM YU SUZUKI 1986 SEP" will appear. Note that most, if not all, of SUZUKI's games are rumored to have Easter Eggs in them.
 
(Part 2)

PAC-MAN
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: There is a way to trigger a hidden message (a software security feature perhaps?). To trigger it, go into TEST mode, hold down both START buttons, toggle the TEST switch off and on (you should see a grid), flip the TEST switch again (faster), and then push the following directions 4 times each: UP – LEFT – RIGHT – DOWN. The message "MADE BY NAMCO" appears, spelled out sideways in power pills. This also works on Pac-Man Plus, Ms. Pac-Man and various bootleg boards (such as Hangly Man, Piranha, etc.).


PENGO
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: If you look at the unencrypted ROMs, you'll find "DIRECTED BY NOBUO KODERA PROGRAMMED BY AKIRA NAKAKUMA DESIGNED BY SHINJI EGE CORELAND TECHNOLOGY INC 1982:9:1", "1982:9:1 JAPAN" repeated 48 times, and "::NOBUO KODERA ::TSUTOMU IWANE ::AKIRA NAKAKUMA ::SHINJI EGI" repeated 64 times.


PHOZON
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: Put the game into the test/service mode and move the joystick UP (4x), RIGHT, DOWN, and LEFT (2x). The message "(C) (P) 1983 NAMCO LTD." will appear.


POLE POSITION
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: To reveal the hidden Namco credit:
1) Enter service mode.
2) Turn wheel to 04; Change the shifter from LO to HI.
3) Turn wheel to 45; Change the shifter from LO to HI.
4) Turn wheel to 55; Change the shifter from LO to HI.
5) Turn wheel to 56; Change the shifter from LO to HI.
6) Turn wheel to 91; Change the shifter from LO to HI.
"(c) 1982 NAMCO LTD." will appear on the screen.


RACE DRIVIN'
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: When the game starts, turn right around and drive the wrong way. Where the road divides, take the right one and watch for a small barn at your left. Approach the barn (by driving off road) slowly. When you're close enough a door will suddenly appear on the barn with a very bright yellowed circled number "33".


RALLY-X
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: In test mode, hold down the smoke button and move UP (2x), DOWN (7x), RIGHT, and LEFT (6x). "© NAMCO LTD. 1980" will appear on the screen.


ROAD RUNNER
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: Hidden in the prototype laserdisc footage is a picture from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi with the caption "Coming Soon!" as well as one for Garfield!


ROADBLASTERS
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: On levels where a city is on the horizon (and even on the title screen), you can find initials on some of the buildings. {Kristine Roper}. Some of them are: 1st level – MSP, LOP (?), and KM; 7th level – BJS, RW (for Robert Weatherby?), and bf.


ROBOTRON
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: Accessing programmers screen credits. This 3-combo trick must be done during a game, and each combo must be done within ¼ seconds of each other:
1. Direction joystick RIGHT + fire joystick UP + 1P button
2. Direction joystick UP + fire joystick DOWN + 2P button
3. Direction joystick DOWN + fire joystick UP. Let go of the fire joystick and the message will appear.


S.T.U.N. RUNNER
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: According to programmer Ed Rotberg, the prototype version has a somewhat risqué ending sequence that can be triggered to appear, but this was completely removed from the release version.


SINISTAR
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: Here's how to reveal 2 different messages:
1. Set to pricing mode 3 (won't work on free play)
2. One ship per game (not required but easier for trick)
3. Make sure there are no credits already on game. Coin up 1 credit and press 1-player button
4. Bump into asteroid once
5. Press FIRE button 7 times (doesn't matter how many shots are actually fired)
6. Get shot. Don't bump into another asteroid or shoot anything – if you do, go back to #4
7. Press 2-player button 3 times
8. Coin up 1 credit and press 1-player button
9. Press SINIBOMBS button once
10. Coin up 3 credits
11. Press SINIBOMBS button once
12. Get shot. Don't bump into another asteroid or shoot anything!
13. Press 1-player button
At this point you have two choices. To reveal the programmer names, coin up 3 credits and press the SINIBOMBS button. To reveal the company name, get shot (again, don't bump another asteroid or shoot anything) and press the 1-player button. Note: don't let the attract mode cycle between games, because the attract mode ship hitting an asteroid will also count against you.


SKY DIVER
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: The initials "OR" (for programmer Owen Rubin) can be found in the program, as graphics. It's currently unknown whether or not they can be triggered to appear onscreen.


SPACE INVADERS II
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: The text "BY JOEL KREGER FOR MIDWAY WALF-WAY POINT" can be found in the code of PROM 'E'. It's unknown whether or not this can be triggered to appear on the screen.


SPRINT 8
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: The Atari "Fuji" logo is coded as graphics in the program. It's currently unknown whether or not they can be triggered to appear onscreen.


STAR FIRE
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: Entering the initials "DBR" (for David Rolfe) will show "HI DAVE"; "TZM" (for Ted Michon) shows "HI TED", and "SKO" (for Susan) shows "HI SUSAN.


STARGATE
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: Accessing programmers screen credits. This 3-combo trick must be done during a game, and each combo must be done within ¼ seconds of each other:
1. DOWN+REVERSE+1P START+THRUST
2. REVERSE+2P START+FIRE
3. DOWN+1P START+THRUST+FIRE.


SUPER PUNCH-OUT
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: "COPYRIGHT1984NINTENDO" is coded as ANSI text in EPROM CHS1-C at location 8F.


TAPPER
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: At the title screen (while the name is filling up with beer), hold down 1P+2P+SERVE BUTTON+DOWN to reveal the full design team credits. This also works on all versions of Tapper.


TIME TRAVELER
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: Coin up one credit, hold both the reversal cube and attack buttons, and push the joystick either UP or DOWN for 2 seconds. Pushing up will show the game's designers; pushing down will show Rick Dyer and his son dancing around.


WACKO
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: At the title screen, hold down 1P+2P to reveal the full design team credits.


XEVIOUS
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: As soon as your Solvalou appears, move to the far right edge of the screen and begin bombing constantly. Continue bombing until the first set of attacking rings is very close to you, and then shoot the rings. The message "ORIGINAL program by EVEZOO" (Evezoo End - Masanobu ENDOH) will appear on the screen.


ZEKTOR
• HIDDEN MESSAGE: There are hidden letters in each city that you reach, the significance of which are unknown (designers initials? secret code?).
 
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I had a pcb laying around at one of my stores and printed on it was "I wish I was looking at a beer right now"

Don't even know what game it was from nor the manufacturer. But it was funny

Forced feedback board from a Rush the Rock I think. There was also something on Site4 boards but I dont recall what it was.
 
I've done the "Made By Namco" thing on my Pac. Cool, but largely useless.


Sort of related, on Mosterbash pinball, there is a special mode called "Lyman's Lament". One of the designers, Lyman F. Sheats did a voice over for the feature in which he does a bunch of complaining and taunts the player by saying "Don't drain! Don't drain! Don't drain!". The only real way to enter the mode is to remove the glass and cheat since you have to hit the scoop an insane number of times to activate the mode. I think its 99 times but I don't remember for sure. I have only seen this happen once and I had to cheat to do it.
 
I've done the "Made By Namco" thing on my Pac. Cool, but largely useless.


Sort of related, on Mosterbash pinball, there is a special mode called "Lyman's Lament". One of the designers, Lyman F. Sheats did a voice over for the feature in which he does a bunch of complaining and taunts the player by saying "Don't drain! Don't drain! Don't drain!". The only real way to enter the mode is to remove the glass and cheat since you have to hit the scoop an insane number of times to activate the mode. I think its 99 times but I don't remember for sure. I have only seen this happen once and I had to cheat to do it.

It makes me wonder how people find things like this. Some guy was just bored one day and starting hitting the switches 100 times in a row to see if anything happened.
 
It makes me wonder how people find things like this. Some guy was just bored one day and starting hitting the switches 100 times in a row to see if anything happened.

I'm pretty sure that, a lot of times, these easter eggs are found by disassembling or searching through code.
 
This is my Fav.

I found this code as well and has been documented on this site.

Not just initials a rant! Not often when you hacking do you find a plea!

http://donhodges.com/bluemax.htm


And yet another fav not an arcade game but an hidden track on a music CD

I remember decoding this sucker through a modem on my stereo I practically shit when I read it!! Hackers dream back in the day!

http://www.mp3lyrics.org/i/information-society/300bps/
 
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