The same code was later used to playtest other Konami titles. For some reason, the code was left in the shipped products. The code was put into the game to aid Hashimoto in playtesting as he couldn't beat the games. Hashimoto worked with Konami as a programmer and producer for Gradius, which was the first game to ever use the famous Konami Code. Our thoughts are with Hashimoto-san's family and friends at this time.
We are saddened to hear about the passing of Kazuhisa Hashimoto, a deeply talented producer who first introduced the world to the 'Konami Code'.
