When is it okay to "cheat"?

With the prevalence of online guides, you shouldn't need to cheat at old games anymore. But seriously, did they have Nintendo Power in mind when they made the first Zelda?

First Zelda came with a map, so when you play it today you're at a huge disadvantage without it since you'll be lost unless you draw your own map.

Legacy of the wizard is an amazing game, but it does require some guidance to enjoy it properly.

All you really need to know is that each family member has part of the dungeon tailored to them. Each of these paths diverts from the dragon room. Knowing what the items do is also pretty important, since the game isn't going to tell you.

Save states are lame though.

The final battle in that game can bug out on most emulators, as a warning.

I beat the first Zelda without a guide and without the map a long time ago with no problem. I don't get why you guys have a problem with it.

What are you, 5? Do whatever the fuck you want. You don't need papa Holla Forums's permission or approval just to play video games.

Using extreme cheating methods like cheat engine and whatever invulnerability mode is at hand can be fun to break the game. Its fun to break parts that are intended to insta kill you.

When I feel like it.

I'll use a FAQ or walkthrough when the mechanics or method of progression is needlessly opaque. When it gets beyond the point of being a reasonable challenge given the context of the game then it impedes my enjoyment and I'll grudgingly visit gamefaqs. This has only ever happened rarely, for instance trying to understand the forging mechanics in Legend of Mana.

If you paid for it, it's ok to do whatever the fuck you want with it as long as it doesn't interfere with other peoples ability to enjoy the game, i.e. cheating in multiplayer is for faggots.

Some games just bring the "fun" levels to a new level when you dick around with cheat codes like in something like GTA or in card games to get cards you actually want to use. There's no reason to justify cheating in a single player game. Only autists give a shit about this and no one gives a shit about them.

Usually would do that on the first playthrough. Subsequent playthroughs would be on increased difficulties

It's fairly acceptable. Especially when you live in a country where the local stores sold bootleg version of the games(which also include the DLC already unlocked for you) which only consists of the disc and cover and nothing else. That Metal Gear Solid 1 bit with "frequency behind the CD case" was a killer back when I was a kid because there was no screenshot of the frequency on the back of my CD envelope.

When you are at the Safari Zone and stumbled upon that illusive Kangaskhan, Chansey or Dratini. Fuck the Safari Zone for that.

And cheats in general? I only use them when the game cheats. Seto uses 3 BEUD in Forbidden Memories? I got 3 of my own too. Cooler with max health and beam spams non-stop? Get me that OHKO cheat.