Home >> Internet Games >> PC Game Cheats

Xploder vs. Action Replay: How These Cheat Devices Compare

Xploder vs. Action Replay

Both are hardware cheat cartridges/discs that plug into a console to modify game memory in real time (infinite lives, ammo, unlockables).

Similarities

Function: Load code lists (.cgt, .arp, .xpl) to patch RAM values.
Hardware: Cartridge (N64, GBA, DS) or boot disc (PS1, PS2, GC, Wii, Xbox).
Target: Offline single-player modification.

Key Differences

Aspect	Xploder	Action Replay
Peak Era	N64 / PS1 / GBA / DS (early 2000s)	PS1 / PS2 / GameCube / Wii / DS / 3DS / PS3 / PS4 (longer lifespan)
Code Format	Proprietary .xpl, .cht	Standard .arp, .cgt (widely shared online)
Features	Basic code entry, some trainers	Code entry + save editing, region-free boot, homebrew launcher, cheat search engine
Updates	Discontinued ~2010	Official updates until ~2016; community databases still active (GameHacking.org)
Availability	Rare, collector prices	Still sold for 3DS/DS (Datel); PS2/GC discs on eBay

Bottom Line

Action Replay was the more versatile, longer-supported brand. Xploder is a nostalgia piece. For modern cheating on retro hardware, Flashcarts (EverDrive, EZ-Flash) + cheat databases or RetroArch cheat cores are superior.

PC Game Cheats