The Ultimate Guide to PPSSPP Cheats: Download Database, Setup, Custom Codes & Troubleshooting

Part 1: How to Install the Cheat Database

Step 1: Download and Extract the Database

1. Download the cheat database ZIP file using the provided download link in this post.
2. Unzip the file using your OS file explorer or an app like ZArchiver.

3. Ignore the extra files—you only need the file named cheat.db (the cheats database file).

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Step 2: Locate Your PPSSPP Memory Stick Folder

1. Open PPSSPP.
2. Go to Settings > System.
3. Scroll down and select Show memory stick folder.
4. Open the PSP folder, then open the CHEATS folder inside it.

5. Move your extracted cheat.db file directly into this CHEATS folder.

   

PPSSPP Memory Stick Path:
└── PSP/
    └── CHEATS/
        └── cheat.db  <-- Place the file here

Step 3: Enable and Import Cheats

1. In PPSSPP, go to Settings > System > Cheat section.
2. Check the box for Enable Cheats.
3. Launch your game, then press Esc (or pause) to open the emulation menu.

4. Select Cheats on the right-hand side. Check the boxes to Enable Cheats and Enable Plugins.

   

5. If the menu is blank, click Import from cheat.db in the top left corner.

• Real-Time Activation: Most cheats activate immediately while the game is running. However, turning them off usually requires a game restart to revert the changes.
• Read the Instructions: Keep an eye out for notes attached to individual cheat entries. Some require specific in-game conditions or setting changes to function properly.

Part 2: How to Add Custom or Missing Cheats

Recommended Tool

How to Find Your Game ID

1. Open PPSSPP to your games list.
2. Right-click your game entry to view its info. The Game ID (e.g., ULUS-10041) is displayed at the top.
3. When searching in Notepad++, press Ctrl + F and include a hyphen between the letters and numbers.

Scenario A: Editing an Existing Game Entry

1. Open cheat.db with Notepad++ and search (Ctrl + F) for your Game ID.
2. Verify that your game’s region (USA, EUR, JPN) matches the region of the cheat code you want to add, as codes vary by region.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of that game’s cheat list (be careful not to overshoot into the next game’s entry).
4. Add your cheat using these specific formatting tags:

• _CO = Cheat Title / Name
• _L = Line of Cheat Code

_CO Unlimited Health
_L 0x20000000 0x00000000
_L 0x20000004 0x00000000

Scenario B: Creating a Brand New Game Entry

• _S = Game ID
• _G = Game Title & Region

_S ULUS-10041
_G Game Title [USA]
_CO Infinite Ammo
_L 0x20000008 0x00000000

How PPSSPP Handles Cheat Files Under the Hood

1. Auto-Generation: Every time you boot a game with cheats active, PPSSPP automatically generates an individual .ini file named after the game ID (e.g., ULUS10041.ini) in the PSP/CHEATS directory. This file starts out completely blank.
2. Importing: Clicking Import inside PPSSPP searches cheat.db, extracts the matching game ID entry, and copies those codes into the individual .ini file.
3. Execution: PPSSPP reads cheat data from these individual .ini files—not directly from cheat.db.