You remember the first time you popped that tiny grey cartridge into your DS? That click was iconic. New Super Mario Bros. wasn't just a throwback; it was a revival. But here’s the thing—even decades later, people are still searching for new super mario ds cheats because they think there’s some magic "up-up-down-down" code to unlock everything.
Honestly? Most of the "cheats" people talk about aren't even cheats in the traditional sense. They are cleverly hidden developer secrets and specific button combos that Nintendo tucked away for the kids who actually read the manual—or the ones who spent way too much time on GameFAQs in 2006.
How to Play as Luigi (The Single Player Secret)
It's kinda wild how many people think Luigi is only for the "Mario vs. Luigi" multiplayer mode. He's right there, baked into the main adventure, but the game never tells you how to use him. You've probably spent hours wishing you could swap out the red cap for the green one.
Here is exactly how you do it:
Go to your save file selection screen. Don't just tap your file. Hold down the L and R shoulder buttons simultaneously. Keep them held down and then press A to select your file. If you did it right, you’ll hear a "Luigi!" voice clip instead of Mario's usual "It's-a me!"
Does he play differently? Some speedrunners swear he has a slightly different friction or jump arc, but for the casual player, it's mostly about the aesthetic and the unique sound effects. It’s a small touch, but playing the entire game as Luigi makes it feel like a different experience.
The Secret Challenge Mode Nobody Talks About
Once you beat the game—and I mean actually seeing the credits roll after World 8—most people think that’s it. They go back to hunt Star Coins and call it a day. But there is a hidden "Challenge Mode" that basically turns the game into a 1985 NES title.
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Basically, in this mode, the screen stops scrolling backward. In the modern game, you can run back to the start of a level if you missed a coin. In Challenge Mode? If it's off-screen, it's gone forever.
To activate this:
Pause the game while you are on the World Map. Now, enter this specific sequence: L, R, L, R, X, X, Y, Y. You’ll get a confirmation message. It’s a subtle change, but it makes those tricky platforming sections in World 7 and 8 feel way more high-stakes. It forces you to be decisive. You can't hesitate, and you certainly can't go back for that power-up you accidentally left behind.
Skipping Entire Worlds: The Mini Mario Method
If you're looking for new super mario ds cheats to skip the grind, you need to understand how the world map actually branches. You probably noticed that after beating World 2, you usually end up in World 3. But there’s a whole Forest world (World 4) and a Cloud world (World 7) that seem "locked."
Nintendo didn't use cheat codes for this; they used power-up puzzles.
- To get to World 4: You have to defeat the boss of World 2 (that giant mummified Pokey) while in Mini Mario form. It’s a nightmare. You deal less damage and you're fragile, but if you land that final ground pound as a tiny speck, a secret path opens.
- To get to World 7: Same logic. You need to defeat the boss of the World 5 Castle (Petey Piranha) while being Mini Mario.
A lot of players get frustrated here because they think the game is glitched when they can't find these worlds. It’s not a glitch. It’s just Nintendo being mean. If you're struggling, bring a Mini Mushroom in your "reserve" slot (the one on the bottom screen) and only pop it right before the boss dies.
Infinite Lives and the Flagpole Trick
We’ve all seen the classic 1-up tricks where you bounce on a Koopa shell against a wall. That still works in World 1-4, but there's a more "official" way to farm lives using the timer.
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Ever notice those colored Toad Houses that pop up? They aren't random.
If you finish a level and the last two digits of your timer match, you trigger a specific bonus:
- 11, 22, or 33: A Red Toad House (Items).
- 44, 55, or 66: A Green Toad House (1-Up Mini-game).
- 77, 88, or 99: An Orange Toad House (Mega Mushroom).
If you’re desperate for lives, aim for that 44, 55, or 66. It’s much more reliable than trying to pull off a frame-perfect shell bounce. Also, if you hit the very top of the flagpole, you get an instant 1-up. It sounds like schoolyard rumors, but it's 100% factual.
The "Save Anywhere" Unlock
One of the biggest complaints about the DS version is the save system. You can only save after beating a tower, a castle, or spending Star Coins at a sign. It’s annoying. You just want to close your DS and go to bed, but you’re stuck looking for a Save Point.
The "cheat" here is simply persistence. Once you clear the final castle in World 8, the game finally trusts you. A "Save" option will appear in the Start menu on the map screen, allowing you to save your progress at any moment.
Practical Steps for Your Next Playthrough
If you’re diving back into this classic, don’t just run through it.
- Start as Luigi: Use the L+R trick from the very first level. It changes the vibe.
- Hoard Blue Shells: The Blue Shell is arguably the rarest power-up in the game. You can usually find one in World 1-B or 3-B. Once you have it, keep it in your reserve. It allows you to access secret areas (like the World 1-Tower secret exit) that are impossible to reach otherwise.
- Master the Wall Jump: Unlike the newer Mario games, the DS version is a bit stiffer. You have to slide for a split second before you can kick off the wall. Practice this in 1-1 until it's muscle memory.
There aren't "new" codes being discovered in 2026—the game's code has been stripped bare by now. But using these built-in secrets is the closest you'll get to a "god mode" without using an old-school Action Replay. Go clear those secret worlds; World 7 is easily the best part of the game and half the people who played it never even saw it.