Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsGameShark Labs is preserving cheat-code culture through a live digital archive, a planned collector’s book and a retro console still at prototype stage. It is not bringing the old cheat cartridges back to retail: the company says its last branded hardware shipped in 2012, and it does not repair or service devices from the InterAct and Mad Catz years.
What GameShark Labs is building
The revival has three distinct parts, with different formats and levels of readiness:
| Project | What it is | Status as of October 8, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| SharkVault | A searchable digital library of classic-game guides and codes. | Live and open. GameShark Labs reported 154 games open and 2,937 guide sections published on September 15, 2026; those counts are a dated snapshot and may change. |
| The Compendium | A planned hardcover about 100 games, cheat codes, devices, the surrounding culture and founder Todd Hays’s GameShark-era stories. | In production. The latest project update says printing is planned for November 2026 and shipping for December. The web/PDF edition is planned to come first. |
| RetroShark | A planned game-aware retro console intended to read game state and surface relevant codes during play. | An early prototype, not a retail product. No release date or final specifications have been announced in the cited official materials. |
The company’s stated aim is broader than restoring a device: it is trying to preserve codes, guides and memories associated with a particular period in gaming. Todd Hays described it as “This is a preservation project, a celebration of the cheat code era, and a tribute to one of the most exciting periods in gaming history.” (GameShark Returns project update, August 2026.)
How the book differs from the Code Vault
The Compendium is a curated physical edition
The book is planned as a selection focused on 100 games, along with material about cheat devices and the culture around them. Its digital web/PDF edition is planned to arrive before the hardcover. The newest update, dated August 27, 2026, gives the current schedule as printing in November and shipping in December. Older BackerKit material still gives a September 2026 estimate, but that predates the newer schedule.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Supported Operating System】The Game Controller is specifically designed for playing classic old school retro snes games on computer or laptop. Compatible with Windows 98 / ME / Vista / 2000/2003 / XP / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10/11, Mac OS X/ OS X 10.0 and beyond, Raspberry Pi, Raspberry PI 2 model B,Model A, Raspberry Pi 1 Model B+, Raspberry Pi 2,Raspberry Pi OS, Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, Raspberry Pi 3, Raspberry Pi Zero.
- 【Simple USB Plug and Play】If your program or application accepts USB controller input, this classic game controller do not need install drivers or patches. 1.5 meter external cable(approx. 5 ft. Long). Notice: Please download the game emulator first before start the games, and then you must manually set the buttons and directionals within the emulator you're using, and the controller not automatically assigns buttons/directional axes. If on the Steam platform, you need to first enable Steam's "Universal Controller Configuration Support" and then restart Steam. After entering the game, you also need to manually bind key positions in the game
- 【High Sensitivity without Delay】Super sensitive buttons for precision control: 6 fire buttons, a 'Start' button and a 'Select' button, motion control cross. Play your favorite old school games with classic retro feel. Fits perfectly in the hand and also perfect for two player action.Note: Not applicable to Switch/PS games. Not Compatible with TV/ TV Box, third Mini Games Box and Tesla Model 3
- 【Supported Game Emulators】The game controller works with most emulators. Download any emulator you wish to download and use from Google and do the same with ROMS. Notice:Third party controller, not original controller. But it works phenomenal with the Raspberry Pi game emulation and so on
- 【Product Service】If you have any problem during use, send message to us and we will help you to solve the problem soon
The Code Vault is a searchable archive
The Code Vault is separate from the book: it is intended as a searchable archive with a broader game scope. A BackerKit FAQ last updated March 2, 2026 described 500+ additional games at launch. That is a launch claim from the FAQ, not the same measure as SharkVault’s 154 games reported open on September 15. The figures refer to different product descriptions and snapshots, so they should not be treated as competing counts of one live collection.
SharkVault is the company’s live digital service. GameShark Labs says code, glitch and easter-egg claims are checked against cited facts. Its AI page says, “Every published section is reviewed by a real player who finished the game.” The company describes AI as assisting with drafts, indexing and research speed, while a human player reviews each published section.
Rank #2
- Hall Effect Joystick Update.
- Compatible with Switch/Switch 2, Windows, Apple, Android, Steam Deck, and Raspberry Pi.
- Compatible with iPhone, iPad, macOS and Apple TV now. (Officially Supported)
- Full-featured retro controller- clickable joysticks, rumble vibration, motion controls, wireless Bluetooth, rechargeable battery, home and screenshot Buttons and a USB-C connector
- Perfect classic d-pad.
What backers are promised—and what is still a plan
The August 27 update says Kickstarter backers are to receive one year of SharkVault access, while upgraded Vault tiers receive lifetime access. Those are backer terms, not a statement that all public users receive the same access. The founder’s planned GameShark/InterAct tell-all book was also described as becoming free to backers on October 15, 2026; that date is still in the future as of October 8.
The update also reported that a first GameShark video game was approaching 50% completion and that CodeBoy Issue Zero was complete. These are project updates, not evidence that either is available to buy. HandyBoy and ProgramPad revivals were described as concepts under evaluation. In particular, the explored HandyBoy concept for Switch 2 is not a promised product. The company also identifies adaptive controls for players with disabilities as an unshipped research-and-development direction, not a current feature.
Rank #3
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
RetroShark is not the old cartridge coming back
The original GameShark was a cheat-device line, while RetroShark is described as a new console concept that would recognize what is happening in a game and surface relevant codes as the player plays. GameShark Labs’ homepage labels it an early prototype and says users bring their own games. The official material does not establish a ship date, final hardware specifications or current retail availability. The August update says the idea had attracted retail interest, which is not the same as a retail launch or confirmed release.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What owners of original GameShark hardware should know
GameShark Labs says it does not manufacture, repair or service cheat devices from the InterAct and Mad Catz years. It also says it cannot look up serial numbers, swap units or restore codes stored on those devices. The company’s own statement is: “We don’t manufacture, repair, or service the cheat devices from the InterAct and Mad Catz years, and we can’t look up a serial number, swap a unit, or restore the codes stored on one.” (Our Legacy.) The company points owners toward the retro-hardware preservation community as a better first stop for help.
Rank #4
- Wide Compatibility – Compatible with Nintendo Switch (Switch 1 only), Windows PC, Mac OS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, RetroPie, Recalbox and more. Perfect for retro gaming, emulators, and classic game systems. Not compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.
- Advanced 2.4GHz Wireless Connection Stable 2.4GHz RF wireless technology provides a fast and responsive gaming experience with up to 10 meters (32 ft) of range. No lag, no drops — just smooth gameplay.
- Simple Plug & Play Setup: No drivers or software required. Just plug the USB receiver into your device and start playing instantly. Compatible with most programs and emulator platforms that support standard USB game controllers.
- Classic Retro Design with Precision Controls Features a familiar SNES-style layout with super-sensitive buttons for accurate, responsive control. Ideal for NES, SNES, Genesis, GBA, RetroArch, BSNES, OpenEmu, and more.
- Rechargeable Battery with Long Life Built-in 240mAh rechargeable battery provides up to 3 hours of continuous gameplay. Fully charges in about 1 hour. Includes battery level indicator for convenient monitoring.
For historical context, GameShark Labs’ legacy page says Todd Hays founded STD Entertainment in 1991, the company behind the InterAct accessory line, and that InterAct brought GameShark, built by UK company Datel, to American players in January 1996 on Saturn and PlayStation. That is the company’s own account of the product’s origins. The legacy page also describes the Nintendo 64 GameShark as a 1997 pass-through cartridge and the Handy Boy as a Game Boy add-on with a screen magnifier, fold-out stereo speakers and a joystick.
What the campaign figures do—and do not—show
GameShark Labs’ homepage and Compendium product page displayed 1,126 Kickstarter backers, $109,040 raised and 1,090% funded when observed in October 2026. These are campaign-source figures, not independently audited statistics. The BackerKit preorder page displayed different totals—1,169 backers and $134,888—so figures from those pages should not be combined or presented without attribution and a date. They show reported campaign activity, not independent evidence of market size or long-term adoption.
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Because the archive, book and prototype are at different stages, check the relevant project page for current availability and schedules rather than assuming every announced item has shipped. The most recent project update located for this article is dated August 27, 2026; the homepage’s SharkVault counts are dated September 15, 2026.
Quick Recap
- GameShark Labs homepage and SharkVault
- The Compendium product page
- GameShark Returns project updates
- GameShark Returns FAQ
- GameShark Labs on its AI-assisted process
- BetaNews coverage, January 21, 2026
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
