By now, most people are familiar with Interact’s line of GameShark devices. They intercept the game code and alter it to provide a number of effects such as invincibility, infinite lives, or unlimited turbo. What a lot of people don’t know is that the GameShark now connects to the PC, allowing you to download new codes or back up save files.

The GameShark package, which costs $39.99, consists of the GameShark itself plus a PC software disk and a USB cable. It should be noted that the GBA GameShark does not enhance older Game Boy or GBC games. This is to be expected since the GBA recognizes older games based on the shape of the cartridge. Import games aren’t supported either.

The PC disk installs in about ten or fifteen minutes, and the software is easy to navigate. Once you’re connected to the Internet, you can download codes and saves from Gameshark.com to your PC and then to the GameShark itself.

The types of codes available vary from game to game. Some codes unlock levels or characters, others max out stats and scores, and others grant invincibility and other effects. Some games have a handful of codes and others have dozens.

The reliability of the codes also varies greatly. Turning on all of the codes is bad idea in most games since some of the effects can cancel each other out. I tested out codes for several of the games in my library.

Advance Wars and Sonic Advance both held up well with different combinations of codes. Sonic Advance does have an odd “infinite air code” that slows your descent and allows you to jump over entire levels. Advance Wars has an equally curious slow-mo setting that doesn’t seem to benefit the game in any way.

Golden Sun completely freezes up if you attempt to give all Djinni to every character, but if you reasonably put all wind Djinni to one character, all fire to another, etc. it works just fine.

I tried a few variations with NFL Blitz 20-02, but I honestly couldn’t get any of the codes to work. I ran out of my “unlimited turbo” rather soon, and fourth downs came even when I had “always first down” turned on.

Before using any codes, you should be aware that once you save your game, certain changes will become permanent. It is for this reason that I recommend backing up your game on the PC before using codes if you want to go back to your unspoiled game.

The save features are what really get me excited about the GameShark. There are a number of times that I’ve wanted to keep an old file, work on a new one, and had two or three others wanting to play a game. However most games only have two or three save slots. This is where GameShark’s save features come into play.

Once you plug in the USB cable and turn on the GBA, you can back up your cartridge to the PC in about three minutes. It’s just as easy to bring the file back to the cartridge when you need it. This way, you can put your files on the PC, let guests start new files, and switch back when they leave. It’s an incredibly useful feature that I hope is included with the upcoming GameCube GameShark since I’d be able to save money on additional memory cards.

Like the codes, you can also download saves from GameShark.com or other websites that might have them. However, I had a hard time finding many save files for my games. Advance Wars and Golden Sun each only had one file available, and Sonic Advance didn’t have any.

In this case, you may want to ask your friends for their save files. The software makes it simple to e-mail and import save files. You can get a file from someone that’s farther in the game or e-mail them your file, let them get past a tough spot, and have them send it back to you.

Overall, I’ve found the GameShark to be a lot more interesting than I would have guessed. It doesn’t always work perfectly, but you have to expect a few problems here and there when pulling strings with the game code. Throw in the ability to back up files on the PC and share them with friends and you’ve got me sold.