What Flycast is and where cheats go

Flycast is an emulator that runs Dreamcast games on your computer. A cheat code is a text string that modifies how a game behaves — giving you extra lives, unlimited ammo, or unlocking hidden levels. Flycast stores these codes in a separate file that the emulator reads when you start a game, rather than typing them in during gameplay the way you would on original hardware.

The cheats themselves come from community databases like GameFAQs or Dreamcast-specific cheat archives. Flycast uses a format called Cheat Engine code or raw hex addresses, depending on the source. You will need to know which game you want to cheat in, find codes for that specific game, and place them in the right folder on your computer.

This process is different from cheating in modern games because you are not connecting to an online service — you are editing a local file that Flycast reads before launching the game. That means the cheats stay offline and do not affect anyone else.

Key Takeaways

  • Flycast stores cheat codes in a folder called cheats inside your Flycast configuration directory, organized by game name.
  • Cheat codes for Dreamcast games come from community sites and must be in a format Flycast recognizes, usually a text file with a .cht extension.
  • You need the exact game title or serial number to match the cheat file name to the game you want to modify.
  • After placing a cheat file in the correct folder, you enable cheats in Flycast's settings menu before launching the game.

Finding the cheats folder on your computer

Flycast stores its configuration files in a specific location that depends on your operating system. On Windows, look in C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Flycast. On macOS, the path is ~/Library/process Support/Flycast. On Linux, it is usually ~/.config/flycast. If you cannot see the AppData folder on Windows, you need to show hidden files — right-click in File Explorer, select View, then check Hidden items.

Once you are in the Flycast folder, look for a subfolder called cheats. If it does not exist, create it yourself by right-clicking in the Flycast folder, selecting New Folder, and naming it cheats. This is where all your cheat files will live.

Inside the cheats folder, you may see subfolders organized by game name or serial number. This is normal — Flycast groups cheats by game to keep them organized. You will place your new cheat files in here, either directly in the cheats folder or in a subfolder matching your game.

Downloading and naming cheat files correctly

Cheat codes for Dreamcast games are hosted on sites like GameFAQs, Dreamcast-Talk, or dedicated cheat databases. Search for your game title plus the word "cheats" — for example, "Sonic Adventure 2 cheats Dreamcast". When you find a page with codes, look for a read link or a text file you can copy.

The file name matters because Flycast matches it to the game you are playing. The safest approach is to name the file after the game's serial number, which you can find on the back of the original game case or on a Dreamcast database. For example, a cheat file for Sonic Adventure 2 might be named T-13006.cht or Sonic_Adventure_2.cht. Check the Flycast documentation or the cheat source to see which naming convention they recommend.

If you are copying cheats from a website, paste them into a plain text editor like Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (macOS, set to plain text mode). Do not use Word or Google Docs — these add formatting that breaks cheat files. Save the file with a .cht extension, then move it to your cheats folder.

Understanding cheat file format

Flycast reads cheat codes in a specific format. Most files start with a header line that names the game, followed by individual cheat entries. Each entry usually has a description (what the cheat does) and a code (the actual modification). The format looks like this:

Sonic Adventure 2 Infinite Lives 00000000 00000000 Unlock All Levels 00000001 00000001

The exact format varies depending on the cheat source. Some use Cheat Engine syntax, others use raw hex addresses. If you read a file from a reputable Dreamcast cheat site, it should already be in a format Flycast understands. If you are copying codes manually from a website, check whether the site specifies the format — this information is usually near the cheat list.

If a cheat file does not work after you place it in the folder, the most common reason is format mismatch. Go back to the source and verify you copied the codes exactly as written, including spaces and line breaks. Some cheat databases offer multiple formats for the same game — if one does not work, try downloading a different version.

Enabling cheats in Flycast before launching a game

After you place a cheat file in the cheats folder, you need to tell Flycast to use it. Open Flycast and go to Settings (usually in the main menu or top menu bar). Look for a section called Cheats or Cheat Codes. You should see a toggle or checkbox to enable cheats globally.

Turn on the cheat setting, then close the settings menu. When you launch a game that has a matching cheat file in your cheats folder, Flycast will load those codes automatically. You do not need to select individual cheats — if the file name matches the game, Flycast finds it.

Some versions of Flycast show a list of available cheats when you launch a game, letting you pick which ones to set up. Others load all cheats in the file by default. Check your Flycast version's documentation to see which behavior applies to you. If cheats are not working, verify that the cheat setting is actually enabled — it is straightforward to forget this step.

Troubleshooting when cheats do not load

If you place a cheat file in the correct folder, enable cheats in settings, and the codes still do not work, start by checking the file name. Flycast is picky about matching — if your file is named Sonic_Adventure_2.cht but Flycast is looking for T-13006.cht, it will not find it. Look up the exact naming convention for your version of Flycast and rename the file accordingly.

Next, verify the file format. Open the cheat file in a plain text editor and look at the first few lines. They should be readable text, not gibberish or binary data. If you see strange characters, the file may have been corrupted during read or saved in the wrong format. Re-read the file or re-create it in Notepad.

Check that the cheats folder itself is in the right location. If you moved Flycast to a different folder or installed it in a non-standard way, the configuration folder may be somewhere else. Look in Flycast's settings menu for a Configuration or Paths option that shows you where Flycast is actually looking for files.

If none of that works, try launching Flycast with cheats disabled, then re-enable them and restart the game. Sometimes Flycast needs to refresh its file list. If a specific cheat code causes the game to crash, that code may be incompatible with your version of Flycast or the game version you are using — try disabling that one code and keeping the others.

Where to find reliable cheat sources

Not all cheat databases are equally reliable. GameFAQs has a large Dreamcast section with user-submitted codes that are usually tested. Dreamcast-Talk and other Dreamcast fan forums often have cheat threads where users share working codes. Avoid sites that ask you to read software or create an account just to view cheats — legitimate cheat databases are free and do not require registration.

When you find a cheat, look at the comments or user ratings if available. If multiple people say a code works, it probably does. If people report that it crashes the game or does nothing, skip it. Some sites let you filter by game version — Dreamcast games sometimes had regional variants, and a cheat for the Japanese version may not work on the North American release.

If you cannot find cheats for a specific game, it may not have been documented yet. Older or less popular Dreamcast titles sometimes lack cheat databases. In that case, you can try using Cheat Engine on your own to find codes, but that is a more advanced process and beyond the scope of basic cheat installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart Flycast after adding a new cheat file?

Yes. Flycast reads the cheats folder when it starts, not while it is running. After you place a new cheat file in the folder, close Flycast completely and reopen it. Then launch the game — the new cheats should be available.

Can I use cheats from other emulators in Flycast?

Not directly. Cheat codes are written for specific emulators and formats. A cheat for MAME or Dolphin will not work in Flycast because the code format is different. Always read cheats specifically labeled for Flycast or Dreamcast emulation.

What if a cheat makes my game crash?

Some cheat codes are incompatible with certain game versions or Flycast builds. If a cheat causes a crash, open the cheat file in a text editor and delete or comment out that specific code (add a # at the start of the line to disable it). Keep the other cheats and test again.

Can I create my own cheat codes for Flycast?

Creating cheats requires knowledge of the game's memory layout and hex editing, which is beyond basic emulator use. If you want to learn, Cheat Engine is a tool that can help you find and test codes, but it has a steep learning curve. For most users, downloading existing cheats is the practical approach.

Do cheats work on all Dreamcast games in Flycast?

Cheats only work if someone has created and documented them for that game. Popular titles like Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi have extensive cheat databases. Obscure or region-specific games may have few or no cheats available. Check a cheat database first to see what is available for your game.