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Extra Lives & Stage Select Codes (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game NES Codes)

Gain 9 extra lives and start on any stage you desire with these nifty TMNT 2 game codes.

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all four tmnt turtles standing next to each other
all four tmnt turtles standing next to each other

Today, I’ll be showing you Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game’s Extra Lives and Stage Select codes. These codes are for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) version.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle 2: The Arcade Game’s Extra Lives code—UP, RIGHT, RIGHT, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, LEFT, LEFT, LEFT, LEFT, B, A—will provide 9 lives per player.

The Stage Select code—DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT, B, A—allows the player to start from any stage.

Keep in mind, you can only enter one of the codes and not both. Luckily, there is a code that combines the extra lives and stage select.

I’ll show you how to enter the combined Lives and Stage Select code, along with the individual codes, in detail with pictures in this handy tips and tricks guide.


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What is an Extra Lives code?

An extra lives code is just that: it provides the player with extra lives.

Because Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game (TMNT 2) for NES is a port of an arcade game, the game is meant to be difficult (to gobble up quarters from gamers in exchange for additional sessions), requiring dozens of lives to complete for the average player.

Therefore, extra lives codes are very helpful for those looking to enjoy TMNT 2 NES version at home.


What is a Stage Select code?

A stage select code allows the player to select which stage to start from.

Instead of starting from stage one, a player can choose any stage to begin with by entering the stage select code.

This is great because TMNT 2 for NES does not have a save file.

Once you shut the game off, you must start from the beginning.

Entering the stage select code can transport you to where you left off in your previous play session.


Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game NES Codes

NES controller hanging with button pointers and text
Nintendo Entertainment Controller

Let’s walk through each of the three codes for this game: extra lives, stage select, and the combined lives and stage select code.

There are a few things you should know before you begin:

  • Each code must be done at the main menu
  • You can only enter one code
  • You only have a few seconds to enter the code
  • You must use player one’s controller
  • Make sure your controller is connected
  • If you’re playing 2 players, press the SELECT button to highlight “2 TURTLES” before entering a code

Keep these points in mind when you’re entering the following codes.


1) Extra Lives Code

Extra lives code text on black background
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game NES Codes

Entering the Extra Lives code will provide each player with 9 lives.

Now, let’s begin the code entering process for extra lives.


STEP 1 – Main Menu

TMNT 2 The Arcade Game NES title screen
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game NES Codes

Boot Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 and wait for it to reach the main menu.


STEP 2 – Enter The Code

GIF of a hand pressing buttons on an NES controller
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game Extra Lives Code

On the first player’s controller, press a sequence of buttons in order:

UP, RIGHT, RIGHT, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, LEFT, LEFT, LEFT, LEFT, B, A, START


STEP 3 – Obtain 9 Extra Lives

TMNT 2 overhead display with an arrow pointing to the amount of lives remaining
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game NES Codes

Make sure you obtained the extra lives by choosing your character and starting the first stage.

If your “REST” counter at the top of the screen shows 9, you entered the code correctly.

If the “REST” counter at the top of the screen says anything other than 9, you must reset your game and try entering the code again.


2) Stage Select Code

Stage Select code text on black background
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game NES Codes

Entering the Stage Select code will allow you to select which stage you want to play.

Now, let’s begin the code entering process for stage select.


STEP 1 – Main Menu

TMNT 2 The Arcade Game NES title screen
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game NES Codes

Boot Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 and wait for it to reach the main menu.


STEP 2 – Enter The Code

GIF of a hand pressing buttons on an NES controller
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game Stage Select Code

On the first player’s controller, press a sequence of buttons in order:

DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT, B, A, START


STEP 3 – Select Your Stage

Black screen with stage select 5 text on screen
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game NES Codes

Make sure you entered the stage select code by choosing your character and starting the game.

If a black screen allowing you to select your stage appears, you entered the code correctly.

Press left or right on your directional pad to select the stage and press the A button to confirm.

If you go to stage one, then you must reset your game and re-enter the code at the main menu.


3) Lives and Stage Select Code

Stage Select and Extra lives code text on black background
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game NES Codes

Entering the Combined Extra Lives and Stage Select code will give each player 9 lives and allow you to select which stage you want to play.

Now, let’s begin the code entering process for the combined code.


STEP 1 – Main Menu

TMNT 2 The Arcade Game NES title screen
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game NES Codes

Boot Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 and wait for it to reach the main menu.


STEP 2 – Enter The Code

GIF of a hand pressing buttons on an NES controller
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game Lives & Stage Select Code

On the first player’s controller, press a sequence of buttons in order:

B, A, B, A, UP, DOWN, B, A, LEFT, RIGHT, B, A, START


STEP 3 – Select Your Stage

Black screen with stage select 5 text on screen
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game NES Codes

Make sure you entered the combined code by choosing your character and starting the game.

If a black screen allowing you to select your stage appears, you entered the code correctly.

TMNT 2 overhead display with an arrow pointing to the amount of lives remaining
TMNT 2: The Arcade Game NES Codes

You will also have 9 extra lives when you begin.

Press left or right on your directional pad to select the stage and press the A button to confirm.

If you go to stage one, then you must reset your game and re-enter the code at the main menu.


Celebrate

Congratulations! You successfully entered Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game’s NES codes.

Try playing the game in one sitting with extra lives or skip to your favorite level for maximum enjoyment.


Read More Great Articles

Now you know how to gain additional lives and select your stage in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade game for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Good job!

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(Screenshots taken by me. Images sourced from product pages, websites, or social media and are credited appropriately. Logos, images, etc. belong to their respective owners. All information current at time of publication.)

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Wally GX

Writer, creator Bucket List Games

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