These alphanumeric strings, when used with a specific hardware device, modify the game’s programming, allowing players to introduce changes not originally intended by the developers of the Game Boy Color title. These modifications can range from granting infinite in-game currency to altering encounter rates for rare creatures. A typical example would be a sequence input into the device that results in the player character possessing an unlimited supply of a particular item.
The application of these codes provided players with a means to circumvent challenging aspects of the gameplay, accelerate progress, or experience the game in unconventional ways. Historically, their popularity arose from a desire to overcome perceived difficulty, explore hidden aspects, or simply inject novelty into a well-known gaming experience. Their use, however, often came with the risk of corrupting saved game data or introducing instability into the game’s operation.