There are currently over 321 cheat codes available in Shovel Knight, with some exclusive to specific campaigns. Cheats are activated when choosing the correct phrase as the name of a profile. This will also allow a second naming for the profile after the code is entered.
Once activated, a cheat code will remain active permanently, but only for the one profile. It is indicated by a teal pumpkin that appears in the lower left corner of the character's profile icon. Only one code can be activated per file and doing so will prevent it from earning feats for that file, similarly to starting Co-op Mode in Shovel of Hope. The following is an expansive list of cheat codes and their effects such as unique armor colors, slippery and bouncy surfaces, money in bubbles. A complete list can be found on IGN's website.
General Cheat Codes
Butt mode
To activate, enter X&BUTT or WSWWAEAW. this cheat replaces words such as "knight" or "shovel" with butt. Full Article:
Japanese Localization Graphics
This code enables the graphical changes found in the JP version of Shovel Knight. The code is KUWA-GATA.
"Iron Man" Challenge
This code was used in SGC 2014 event (held by ScrewAttack). The code is IM&SGC14.
Enabling this cheat will create a special file of Shovel Knight, which has all relics, 6 Health, 60 Magic, Dynamo Mail, and Trench Blade. Then, you will always start at the first checkpoint of Lost City (said checkpoint becomes unbreakable), and are required to complete this level in 3 minutes. Notice that all random factors do not work (i.e. digging a specific pile always yields same outcome, and fishing will not take extra time).
At the end of challenge, whether you beat Mole Knight or not, the total gold collected will be shown as the result.
Note that if you make a file but choose the player as Plague Knight, the gameplay will glitch.
Ready for New Game Plus
The code is BJLHZXED. This code will give you a cleared file with every item, and you can start New Game Plus right away.
In early versions, a save file with this code would lose the pumpkin icon after clearing Plains in NG+, thus able to complete the feat Hurry Up! with a NG+ file. This trick no longer works.
Super Jump Cheats
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| J&2JMP! | Jump twice as high |
| J&!JSMP | Jump three times as high |
| XRTKESBB | Bounce twice as high after a Shovel Drop |
| XPRAFCFK | Bounce three times as high after a Shovel Drop |
No World Map Enemies Cheat
To activate, enter SWJSROSY. This removes any enemies on the map screen.
All Relics From Chester Cheat
To activate, enter WOLPSNLK. All relics will be available for purchase from Chester from the first time you arrive at the Village.
Big Knight Cheats
To activate, enter YGVYUWSW or TRGSVPPW, which makes Shovel Knight 2 or 4 times bigger, respectively. Entering GEQGAROE will also make Shovel Knight 4 times larger, while also increasing his speed and jump height.
Extremely Cool Cheats
To activate, enter STQQTXVX . This makes Shovel Knight invincible (even from pits, but not from wall pressing), gives you all relics with infinite ammo and rapid fire, fast speed, increased jump, and a permanent Treasure Ichor. Enter TVSVUEIO to get this plus increased size, change colors every time you jump, the ability to pogo bounce off plain ground, 10,000 gold, and have every stage up to the Tower of Fate cleared (recommended for those who find the game extremely frustrating). Note that this cheat has been known to cause your game to soft freeze (any animations will still play) when Mona gives you a health upgrade after completing Pridemoor Keep.
Moving Fast Cheats
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| PIJMFJUG | 2x speed |
| CRGYGUKP | 3x speed |
| RYAQGVIE | 2x speed on ladders |
| JARXHTMF | 3x speed on ladders |
| PGPHIJJH | 2x attack speed |
| QHGOILFF | 3x attack speed |
Increased Difficulty Cheats
These codes are recommended for those who find the game easy and/or want bragging rights.
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| NVVYSZFD | Increases Chester's prices |
| FBRVCJUV | Lose all your gold upon death |
| ALTFMMOW | Makes Shovel Knight invisible |
| XJRZZWAK | Causes you to die on one hit and removes checkpoints |
| UCDIQWMQ | Removes Gastronomer |
| KASKQYYQ | Removes Magicist |
| REYTRJNG | Chester is no longer in the village, but can still be found in stages. |
| JRJEYIBG | All enemies do 4x damage. |
Special Relic Cheats
These cheats allow you to start the game with a relic that doesn't cost magic to activate
| Code | Relic |
|---|---|
| SJPACXWH | Flame Wand |
| JBSZELSC | Phase Locket |
| SXXKGZWE | Alchemy Coin |
| NRDUIWCW | Mobile Gear |
| NXTXIZMV | Propeller Dagger |
| SBYHIZRA | Throwing Anchor |
| FHOYIZYI | Chaos Sphere |
| JBSZELSC | Dust Knuckles |
| SBYHIZRA | Fishing Rod |
| NRDUIWCW | War Horn |
Normal Starting Relic Cheats
| Code | Relic(s) |
|---|---|
| MWRFJPYZ | Throwing Anchor |
| GRESJWXN | Alchemy Coin |
| BINOKOAF | Chaos Sphere |
| UUPEKOQG | Flare Wand |
| NILTKPBA | Flare Wand and Phase Locket |
| BJDNKUIQ | Flare Wand, Phase Locket, and Dust Knuckles |
| SJHNLAID | Throwing Anchor, Flare Wand, Phase Locket, and Dust Knuckles |
| YJYFLBYZ | Alchemy Coin, Throwing Anchor, Flare Wand, Phase Locket, and Dust Knuckles |
| ZMDMMXOO | Mobile Gear, Alchemy Coin, Throwing Anchor, Flare Wand, Phase Locket, and Dust Knuckles |
| SLFVNLJB | War Horn, Mobile Gear, Alchemy Coin, Throwing Anchor, Flare Wand, Phase Locket, and Dust Knuckles |
| FVDNOSYB | Propeller Dagger, War Horn, Mobile Gear, Alchemy Coin, Throwing Anchor, Flare Wand, Phase Locket, and Dust Knuckles |
| JLPWUFJT | Propeller Dagger, but the file won't say it's unlocked |
| HSDGYZMT | Dust Knuckles, but the file won't say it's unlocked |
Plague of Shadows
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| PL&DNCE | Plague Knight will dance whenever stopped. |
| PL&BIGT | Gives Plague Knight giant bombs. |
| PLC&BTS | Gives Plague Knight a super explosive jump. |
| PL&CIPH | Gives Plague Knight the Pandemonium Cloak. |
| PLC&CART | Changes Plague Knight's walking animation and adds a special FX, along with a Staff of Striking with no Power cost. |
Note that other cheats that work in Shovel of Hope work with Plague of Shadows.
Specter of Torment Cheats
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| NO&SEPIA | Sepia-tinted scenes are normal color |
| SP&JOHNY | Play as Donovan even in other armor |
| S&CBHR | Stick and slowly slide down walls. |
| C&MVRKHNT | Stick and slowly slide down walls with a blue palette (Mega Man Mode) |
| S&GUST | Permanent Raiment of Risk effects (normal attacks shoot fireballs, Will regenerates on its own) |
| PR&RONE | Infinite Super Skeleton Summons |
| PR&RTWO | Infinite Super Caltrops |
| G&RAIL | Start with Rail Mail. Increased rail speeds; can rail without pressing down. |
| F&RAIL | Increases speed on rails |
| A&RAIL | Can rail without pressing down using Rail Mail. |
| A&GLUSP | Specter Knight is transparent. |
Note that other cheats that work in Shovel of Hope work with Specter of Torment
Trivia
- The pumpkin symbol used to indicate the use of a cheat code is a reference of the saying "Cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater", which is based on the English nursery rhyme "Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater"
- Plague Knight's special walking animation was an early idea for his animation when wearing the Dandy Duds.[1] The walking animation is also similar to Alucard's from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
- The cheatcodes "C&MVRKHNT" and "S&CBHR" are both references to the Mega Man X, Zero, and ZX series, giving Specter Knight a very similar wall jump to the series.
- Their names are also references, C&MVRKHNT being a reference to the term Maverick Hunter from Mega Man X, and S&CBHR being a reference to the Mega Man ZX song, Cannon Ball - Hard Revenge.