Cheat Mode

A save file using Cheat Mode

Cheat Mode is a hidden feature in Celeste. Activating Cheat Mode unlocks all chapters with B- and C-Sides included, all Crystal Heart Gates without the need of collecting the Crystal Hearts, as well as Variant Mode, Golden Strawberries and PICO-8. However, Strawberries, Cassettes and Crystal Hearts still need to be collected. Cheat Mode is useful to practice a specific chapter or a checkpoint on a separate save. Unlocking Cheat Mode on a given save file adds a permanent "Cheat Mode" banner on the file select menu. It can be removed only by deleting the save file, yet Variant Mode and PICO-8 will remain unlocked.

Unlock Method

In Prologue, go left to the screen with the intro car, and perform the following specific inputs. Cheat mode will become enabled, a sound effect similar to the feather's will play, and you will be taken back to the map. There is no time limit to do the inputs.

• Keyboard: Left, Right, Tab, Z, Up, Up, Down, Left, Z, C

• Controller: Left, Right, LT, RT, Up, Up, Down, Left, RT, A

• Custom controls: Left, Right, Journal, Grab, Up, Up, Down, Left, Grab, Confirm

Alternatively, if you have modified your save to enable debug mode, open the console by pressing ~ and type "cheat" to unlock it instantly.

Use in speedrunning and modding

Cheat Mode is required for some speedrun categories such as all B-Sides, all C-Sides, or specific individual levels. Since getting there typically requires beating multiple chapters, and since Assist Mode, Variant Mode, or even Debug Mode are not allowed for most categories, Cheat Mode provides an easy way to skip ahead.

Modders also use Cheat Mode frequently, allowing them to skip to a specific chapter without completing every level. Using Assist Mode can achieve the same, but it takes longer. Golden Strawberry hunters tend to use it in modded maps to have them unlocked without having to recomplete the map on a separate save file.