Saying a secret code to Amazon Echo unlocks Super Alexa Mode with hidden meaning
The Amazon Echo has a secret mode and it can only be unlocked by using a famous cheat code.
If you're an avid gamer, you'll know that cheat codes can unlock certain abilities or modes that you wouldn't have known about otherwise.
Whether it be to make the game a little less challenging by granting your character extra powerups or lives, or even to just make the game more entertaining.
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Similarly, a secret cheat code can be said to your Amazon Echo to unlock a hidden Alexa feature - granting you 'Super Alexa Mode'.
Depending on your Echo device, you'll either need to type the code or speak it aloud.
Upon activating the code, Alexa will respond with: "Super Alexa Mode activated. Starting reactors – online. Enabling advanced systems – online. Raising doners. Errors. Dongers missing. Aborting."
Depending on whether your Echo is voice-only or has a screen, this message will either appear on display or read out as an audio message.
So, what is the magic code? It's as follows: "Alexa: up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start."
The famous code - known as the Konami code - was first introduced by a man named Kazuhisa Hashimoto.
Its first use was in Konami 1986's release of Gradius for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Typing in the code on the Nintendo gamepad would unlock certain abilities and game modes.
The Konami code became more recently dubbed as the Contra code - when it gained fame for granting 30 extra lives in the NES version of Contra.
It's since become a big hit across gaming culture worldwide, finding its way into titles like Tetris and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. More recently, big-title games such as Rocket League, Dead by Daylight, and Just Dance 3 also use the Konami code to unlock hidden features and modes.
For example, putting the code in GTA: The Trilogy Definitive Edition - a franchise iconically known for its use of cheat codes - unlocks Big Head Mode. Put that to good use!
Outside of video games, the Konami code has been incorporated in many websites, movies, and apps.
Whilst Super Alexa Mode doesn't unlock any special features, the amusing response is something you can show family and friends if they don't know about it.
The Konami code has also been featured in other devices besides Amazon's Echo, such as Google Assistant and Siri.
With the Konami code now featured in so many titles, what's the next game, app, or device you're thinking of giving it a shot on?