Man, Gen 5 was something else. Unova really pushed the DS to its absolute limit, but let’s be real—sometimes the grind in Pokemon Black is just too much. Whether you're trying to fill a Pokedex that feels infinite or you're just tired of running out of Repels in Twist Mountain, you've probably thought about using a shortcut.
Action Replay. It’s a bit of a relic now, but for anyone playing on original hardware or even emulators like DeSmuMe or Delta, those long strings of hex code are still the "secret sauce."
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Honestly, it’s not just about cheating to win. It’s about tailoring the experience. You want to see the IVs and EVs of your team without doing complex math? There’s a code for that. Want to finally catch that Victini that’s been locked behind a decade-old event? Codes have your back. But you’ve gotta be careful. One wrong line and your save file is toast.
The Core Pokemon Black Version Action Replay Codes Everyone Wants
Most people aren't looking for anything fancy. They want the big three: Money, Master Balls, and Rare Candies. If you’re playing the North American (US) version, these are basically the gold standard.
Infinite Money (Press Select)
This one is a lifesaver when you're trying to stock up on vitamins or expensive TMs in shopping malls.94000130 FFFB00000223CDAC 0098967FD2000000 00000000
999x Rare Candies (L+R)
Don't use these to skip the whole game—it ruins the fun. But if you just spent three hours breeding for a Jolly nature and need to get that Axew up to level 50? Go for it.94000130 FCFF0000B2000024 0000000000018D20 02890001D2000000 00000000
(Note: Sometimes this replaces the first item in your medicine pocket, so move your important stuff first!)
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The "Catch Anything" Wild Pokemon Modifier
This is the legendary code. It’s a bit complex because it involves your bag. You press L+R to get 649 Master Balls. You then toss the balls until the remaining number matches the National Pokedex ID of the Pokemon you want. If you want a Mew (ID 151), you toss Master Balls until you have 151 left. Then you hold Select and walk into the grass. Boom. Mew.
Making the Game Playable: Quality of Life Codes
Some codes don't feel like "cheating" so much as "fixing" the game’s 2011-era limitations.
Walking through walls is a classic, but it’s risky. Use it to get past a weird NPC block, but don't walk into "the void" (the black space outside maps) unless you want to crash the game.
Walk Through Walls (Hold L)52163988 2010D1011216398E 00001C2094000130 FDFF00001216398E 00000200D2000000 00000000
Another huge one is seeing IVs and EVs. In the original game, you had to talk to a specific guy in the Battle Subway who would give you vague hints like "This Pokemon has outstanding potential." With a code, you can literally see the numbers on the status screen. That is a game-changer for competitive building.
What Most People Get Wrong About AR Codes
I see this all the time on forums: "I put the code in and my game just froze."
Yeah, that’ll happen.
The biggest mistake is stacking too many codes at once. Your DS (or emulator) has a limited amount of RAM. If you try to run "Walk Through Walls," "Shiny Only," and "Infinite Money" all at once, the game's engine is going to throw a fit.
Also, Game IDs matter. A code for the Japanese version of Pokemon Black will not work on the US version. It won't just "not work"—it might actually corrupt your save data. Always check your Game ID. For the North American version of Pokemon Black, it’s usually IRBO-106820A5.
The "Blue Screen" Scare
If you've messed with Action Replay enough, you might have seen the dreaded Blue Error Screen. It usually happens when you try to access the PC after using a buggy "Encounter" code or an improperly formatted WonderCard code.
If this happens, do not save.
Basically, the game tried to read a Pokemon's data in Box 6 or 7, found gibberish, and panicked. If you save, that gibberish is now part of your permanent record. If you're on an emulator, use save states before you ever touch the Action Replay menu.
How to Actually Use These in 2026
If you’re on a real DS, you need the physical Action Replay cartridge, which is getting pricey these days. You pop the AR in, then the game, and navigate the clunky menu.
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On an emulator? It’s way easier.
- Open your emulator (DeSmuMe is still the king for PC).
- Go to the "Cheats" menu.
- Click "Cheat List" and then "Action Replay."
- Paste the code.
- Make sure you check the "Enable" box.
Actionable Next Steps for Trainers
If you're ready to dive back into Unova with some "extra help," start small. Don't go straight for the 649 Pokemon modifier.
- Start with the Money code. It’s the safest and least likely to break anything.
- Backup your save. Whether it’s a
.savfile on your computer or a physical backup tool, do it now. - Use one code at a time. Seriously. Test the code, get what you need (like the Master Balls), save the game, then disable the code and restart before trying the next one.
- Check your version. Double-check if you are playing Pokemon Black or Pokemon Black 2. The codes are completely different, and using a Black 1 code on Black 2 is a one-way ticket to a corrupted file.
It’s your game. Play it how you want. Just don’t be the person who loses a 100-hour save because they got greedy with a Shiny modifier.
Expert Tip: If a code requires a "Trigger," like (L+R) or (Select), you must hold those buttons while the game is loading a screen or while you are standing in the field. If you just turn the code on and expect it to work without the button press, you'll be waiting forever.