Look, playing through Johto again in 2026 is a vibe, but let's be real. Nobody has forty hours to grind a Dratini to level 55 just to beat Lance’s Dragonites. We’ve all been there. You're staring at the screen, your Typhlosion is underleveled, and you just want those 999 Rare Candies so you can finally see the credits roll. Using heartgold soulsilver action replay codes isn't just about cheating; it’s about respecting your own time.
But here is the thing: most of the code lists you find on old forums are total garbage. They're either missing the "Master Code" required to make anything work, or they're so poorly written they'll turn your save file into a pile of corrupted "Bad Eggs."
I’ve spent way too many nights debugging hex strings on my DS Lite to let you make the same mistakes. If you’re playing on original hardware with a physical Action Replay card, or even if you’re using an emulator like DeSmuME or MelonDS, you need to know which codes actually play nice with the game's engine.
The Codes That Actually Work (Without Deleting Your Save)
Before you touch a single button, you have to understand the "trigger." Most of these cheats don't just "happen." You usually have to press L+R or Select to inject the data into the RAM. If you don't, nothing happens, and you'll think the code is broken.
1. The "Big Three" Essentials
These are the heavy hitters. They don't mess with the game's logic too much, so they're generally the safest to keep active.
Unlimited Money (Press Select)
Basically makes you a millionaire instantly.94000130 FFFB000062111880 00000000B2111880 0000000000000088 000F423FD2000000 00000000
999x Rare Candies (L+R)
This one fills your medicine pocket. Honestly, it’s a life-saver for Nuzlockes where you just want to skip the Level 20 Pidgey grind.94000130 FCFF0000B2111880 00000000E0000B74 000000A003E70032 00000000D2000000 00000000
All Poké Balls (L+R)
Includes Master Balls. Don't use them on a Rattata unless you're trying to be funny.94000130 fcff000062111880 00000000b2111880 00000000d5000000 00000384c0000000 00000017d7000000 00000d16d4000000 00000001d2000000 00000000
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2. The Game-Breakers
Only use these if you've already backed up your save. I’m serious. The "Walk Through Walls" code is notorious for soft-locking players because they walk into a script trigger from the wrong direction.
- Walk Through Walls (Hold L):
9205daa2 00000200,1205daa2 00001c20,d2000000 00000000. - Instant Text Speed:
12002346 00002100. This one is sort of underrated. It makes the game feel ten times faster without actually "cheating" the mechanics.
Why Your Codes Keep Crashing
It's usually not the code's fault. It’s the hardware.
Action Replay works by overwriting specific memory addresses in your console’s RAM. If you have ten different heartgold soulsilver action replay codes running at once, they might try to overwrite the same "hooks." This leads to a black screen. Or worse, a blue screen of death that tells you your save is gone.
Always follow the "Rule of Two." Never have more than two complex codes active at the same time. If you want 999 Master Balls and 999 Rare Candies, do them one at a time. Enable the Balls, save the game, turn the console off, then enable the Candies. It takes an extra minute, but it saves you from losing a 100-hour playthrough.
The "Bad Egg" Nightmare
If you use a "Catch Trainer's Pokemon" or a "Wild Pokemon Modifier" code improperly, you might find a "Bad Egg" in your PC.
DO NOT TOUCH IT.
In Gen 4, Bad Eggs are essentially corrupted data chunks. Moving them or trying to hatch them can spread the corruption to other slots in your PC. If you see one, the safest bet is to use a specific "Delete Slot 1" code or just revert to an older save. This is why experts like Skippy from the old GameFAQs boards always hammered home the importance of saving before activating the AR.
Modifying the Experience in 2026
Since we’re living in a world where physical Action Replay carts cost more than a used car, most people are using emulators. If you're on a 3DS using Twilight Menu++, you actually have a built-in cheat database. You don't even need to type these hex strings in! You just hit 'Y' on the game selection screen and pick what you want.
Event Unlocks
One of the coolest ways to use heartgold soulsilver action replay codes is to unlock things that are literally impossible to get now. Nintendo shut down the DS WiFi servers over a decade ago. You can't get the Enigma Stone or the Celebi event naturally anymore.
Using a code to "inject" the Wonder Trade event is the only way to see the Giovanni flashback in Tohjo Falls. For many, that’s not cheating—it’s restoration.
Practical Next Steps for Your Playthrough
If you're ready to start tweaking your game, don't just dive in headfirst. Follow these steps to keep your Johto journey smooth:
- Back Up Your Save: If you're on an emulator, copy your
.savfile to a different folder. If you're on a real cart, use a tool like Checkpoint on a modded 3DS to dump a backup. - Use the Master Code: Some older AR hardware requires a "Master Code" (usually starting with
(M)) to be the very first entry. For the US version of HeartGold, this is typicallyIPKE-4DFFBF91. Without this, the other codes are just useless text. - Check Your Region: A common mistake is using a European (PAL) code on a North American (NTSC) ROM. They look identical, but the memory addresses are shifted. If your code starts with
94000130, double-check it’s for your specific version. - Test in a "Safe Zone": Never activate a code while standing in a doorway or in the middle of a cutscene. Go to an open field or a Pokémon Center, stand still, and then hit your button combination.
Using these cheats can breathe new life into an old classic, letting you experiment with teams you'd never normally have the patience to build. Just remember: with great power comes the very real possibility of having to restart your game from New Bark Town. Play it smart.
Actionable Insight: Start by only using the "Instant Text" and "Run Faster" codes. They improve the game's pacing without risking the internal logic or save stability of your cartridge. Once you’re comfortable, move on to item modifiers one by one.