diff --git a/src/android/app/src/main/java/org/citra/citra_emu/features/cheats/model/CheatEngine.kt b/src/android/app/src/main/java/org/citra/citra_emu/features/cheats/model/CheatEngine.kt
index 8cd10678b2..2fef03bebf 100644
--- a/src/android/app/src/main/java/org/citra/citra_emu/features/cheats/model/CheatEngine.kt
+++ b/src/android/app/src/main/java/org/citra/citra_emu/features/cheats/model/CheatEngine.kt
@@ -7,25 +7,13 @@ package org.citra.citra_emu.features.cheats.model
 import androidx.annotation.Keep
 
 @Keep
-class CheatEngine(titleId: Long) {
-    @Keep
-    private val mPointer: Long
-
-    init {
-        mPointer = initialize(titleId)
-    }
-
-    protected external fun finalize()
+object CheatEngine {
+    external fun loadCheatFile(titleId: Long)
+    external fun saveCheatFile(titleId: Long)
 
     external fun getCheats(): Array<Cheat>
 
     external fun addCheat(cheat: Cheat?)
     external fun removeCheat(index: Int)
     external fun updateCheat(index: Int, newCheat: Cheat?)
-    external fun saveCheatFile()
-
-    companion object {
-        @JvmStatic
-        private external fun initialize(titleId: Long): Long
-    }
 }
diff --git a/src/android/app/src/main/java/org/citra/citra_emu/features/cheats/model/CheatsViewModel.kt b/src/android/app/src/main/java/org/citra/citra_emu/features/cheats/model/CheatsViewModel.kt
index 48786ad82c..e794fe588a 100644
--- a/src/android/app/src/main/java/org/citra/citra_emu/features/cheats/model/CheatsViewModel.kt
+++ b/src/android/app/src/main/java/org/citra/citra_emu/features/cheats/model/CheatsViewModel.kt
@@ -47,18 +47,19 @@ class CheatsViewModel : ViewModel() {
     val detailsViewFocusChange get() = _detailsViewFocusChange.asStateFlow()
     private val _detailsViewFocusChange = MutableStateFlow(false)
 
-    private var cheatEngine: CheatEngine? = null
+    private var titleId: Long = 0
     lateinit var cheats: Array<Cheat>
     private var cheatsNeedSaving = false
     private var selectedCheatPosition = -1
 
-    fun initialize(titleId: Long) {
-        cheatEngine = CheatEngine(titleId)
+    fun initialize(titleId_: Long) {
+        titleId = titleId_;
         load()
     }
 
     private fun load() {
-        cheats = cheatEngine!!.getCheats()
+        CheatEngine.loadCheatFile(titleId)
+        cheats = CheatEngine.getCheats()
         for (i in cheats.indices) {
             cheats[i].setEnabledChangedCallback {
                 cheatsNeedSaving = true
@@ -69,7 +70,7 @@ class CheatsViewModel : ViewModel() {
 
     fun saveIfNeeded() {
         if (cheatsNeedSaving) {
-            cheatEngine!!.saveCheatFile()
+            CheatEngine.saveCheatFile(titleId)
             cheatsNeedSaving = false
         }
     }
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ class CheatsViewModel : ViewModel() {
         _isAdding.value = false
         _isEditing.value = false
         val position = cheats.size
-        cheatEngine!!.addCheat(cheat)
+        CheatEngine.addCheat(cheat)
         cheatsNeedSaving = true
         load()
         notifyCheatAdded(position)
@@ -123,7 +124,7 @@ class CheatsViewModel : ViewModel() {
     }
 
     fun updateSelectedCheat(newCheat: Cheat?) {
-        cheatEngine!!.updateCheat(selectedCheatPosition, newCheat)
+        CheatEngine.updateCheat(selectedCheatPosition, newCheat)
         cheatsNeedSaving = true
         load()
         notifyCheatUpdated(selectedCheatPosition)
@@ -141,7 +142,7 @@ class CheatsViewModel : ViewModel() {
     fun deleteSelectedCheat() {
         val position = selectedCheatPosition
         setSelectedCheat(null, -1)
-        cheatEngine!!.removeCheat(position)
+        CheatEngine.removeCheat(position)
         cheatsNeedSaving = true
         load()
         notifyCheatDeleted(position)
diff --git a/src/android/app/src/main/jni/cheats/cheat_engine.cpp b/src/android/app/src/main/jni/cheats/cheat_engine.cpp
index 5010bd14f1..9a6a6f37f0 100644
--- a/src/android/app/src/main/jni/cheats/cheat_engine.cpp
+++ b/src/android/app/src/main/jni/cheats/cheat_engine.cpp
@@ -15,24 +15,24 @@
 
 extern "C" {
 
-static Cheats::CheatEngine* GetPointer(JNIEnv* env, jobject obj) {
-    return reinterpret_cast<Cheats::CheatEngine*>(
-        env->GetLongField(obj, IDCache::GetCheatEnginePointer()));
+static Cheats::CheatEngine& GetEngine() {
+    Core::System& system{Core::System::GetInstance()};
+    return system.CheatEngine();
 }
 
-JNIEXPORT jlong JNICALL Java_org_citra_citra_1emu_features_cheats_model_CheatEngine_initialize(
+JNIEXPORT void JNICALL Java_org_citra_citra_1emu_features_cheats_model_CheatEngine_loadCheatFile(
     JNIEnv* env, jclass, jlong title_id) {
-    return reinterpret_cast<jlong>(new Cheats::CheatEngine(title_id, Core::System::GetInstance()));
+    GetEngine().LoadCheatFile(title_id);
 }
 
-JNIEXPORT void JNICALL
-Java_org_citra_citra_1emu_features_cheats_model_CheatEngine_finalize(JNIEnv* env, jobject obj) {
-    delete GetPointer(env, obj);
+JNIEXPORT void JNICALL Java_org_citra_citra_1emu_features_cheats_model_CheatEngine_saveCheatFile(
+    JNIEnv* env, jclass, jlong title_id) {
+    GetEngine().SaveCheatFile(title_id);
 }
 
 JNIEXPORT jobjectArray JNICALL
-Java_org_citra_citra_1emu_features_cheats_model_CheatEngine_getCheats(JNIEnv* env, jobject obj) {
-    auto cheats = GetPointer(env, obj)->GetCheats();
+Java_org_citra_citra_1emu_features_cheats_model_CheatEngine_getCheats(JNIEnv* env, jclass) {
+    auto cheats = GetEngine().GetCheats();
 
     const jobjectArray array =
         env->NewObjectArray(static_cast<jsize>(cheats.size()), IDCache::GetCheatClass(), nullptr);
@@ -45,22 +45,19 @@ Java_org_citra_citra_1emu_features_cheats_model_CheatEngine_getCheats(JNIEnv* en
 }
 
 JNIEXPORT void JNICALL Java_org_citra_citra_1emu_features_cheats_model_CheatEngine_addCheat(
-    JNIEnv* env, jobject obj, jobject j_cheat) {
-    GetPointer(env, obj)->AddCheat(*CheatFromJava(env, j_cheat));
+    JNIEnv* env, jclass, jobject j_cheat) {
+    auto cheat = *CheatFromJava(env, j_cheat);
+    GetEngine().AddCheat(std::move(cheat));
 }
 
 JNIEXPORT void JNICALL Java_org_citra_citra_1emu_features_cheats_model_CheatEngine_removeCheat(
-    JNIEnv* env, jobject obj, jint index) {
-    GetPointer(env, obj)->RemoveCheat(index);
+    JNIEnv* env, jclass, jint index) {
+    GetEngine().RemoveCheat(index);
 }
 
 JNIEXPORT void JNICALL Java_org_citra_citra_1emu_features_cheats_model_CheatEngine_updateCheat(
-    JNIEnv* env, jobject obj, jint index, jobject j_new_cheat) {
-    GetPointer(env, obj)->UpdateCheat(index, *CheatFromJava(env, j_new_cheat));
-}
-
-JNIEXPORT void JNICALL Java_org_citra_citra_1emu_features_cheats_model_CheatEngine_saveCheatFile(
-    JNIEnv* env, jobject obj) {
-    GetPointer(env, obj)->SaveCheatFile();
+    JNIEnv* env, jclass, jint index, jobject j_new_cheat) {
+    auto cheat = *CheatFromJava(env, j_new_cheat);
+    GetEngine().UpdateCheat(index, std::move(cheat));
 }
 }
diff --git a/src/android/app/src/main/jni/id_cache.cpp b/src/android/app/src/main/jni/id_cache.cpp
index e7be212796..f1c16fc9f3 100644
--- a/src/android/app/src/main/jni/id_cache.cpp
+++ b/src/android/app/src/main/jni/id_cache.cpp
@@ -35,8 +35,6 @@ static jclass s_cheat_class;
 static jfieldID s_cheat_pointer;
 static jmethodID s_cheat_constructor;
 
-static jfieldID s_cheat_engine_pointer;
-
 static jfieldID s_game_info_pointer;
 
 static jclass s_disk_cache_progress_class;
@@ -116,10 +114,6 @@ jmethodID GetCheatConstructor() {
     return s_cheat_constructor;
 }
 
-jfieldID GetCheatEnginePointer() {
-    return s_cheat_engine_pointer;
-}
-
 jfieldID GetGameInfoPointer() {
     return s_game_info_pointer;
 }
@@ -195,12 +189,6 @@ jint JNI_OnLoad(JavaVM* vm, void* reserved) {
     s_cheat_constructor = env->GetMethodID(cheat_class, "<init>", "(J)V");
     env->DeleteLocalRef(cheat_class);
 
-    // Initialize CheatEngine
-    const jclass cheat_engine_class =
-        env->FindClass("org/citra/citra_emu/features/cheats/model/CheatEngine");
-    s_cheat_engine_pointer = env->GetFieldID(cheat_engine_class, "mPointer", "J");
-    env->DeleteLocalRef(cheat_engine_class);
-
     // Initialize GameInfo
     const jclass game_info_class = env->FindClass("org/citra/citra_emu/model/GameInfo");
     s_game_info_pointer = env->GetFieldID(game_info_class, "pointer", "J");
diff --git a/src/android/app/src/main/jni/id_cache.h b/src/android/app/src/main/jni/id_cache.h
index 3e6d3eb930..7c08a1c0bf 100644
--- a/src/android/app/src/main/jni/id_cache.h
+++ b/src/android/app/src/main/jni/id_cache.h
@@ -35,8 +35,6 @@ jclass GetCheatClass();
 jfieldID GetCheatPointer();
 jmethodID GetCheatConstructor();
 
-jfieldID GetCheatEnginePointer();
-
 jfieldID GetGameInfoPointer();
 
 jclass GetDiskCacheProgressClass();
diff --git a/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_cheats.cpp b/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_cheats.cpp
index c589a62e60..aa67f74400 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_cheats.cpp
+++ b/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_cheats.cpp
@@ -11,8 +11,10 @@
 #include "core/cheats/gateway_cheat.h"
 #include "ui_configure_cheats.h"
 
-ConfigureCheats::ConfigureCheats(Core::System& system, u64 title_id_, QWidget* parent)
-    : QWidget(parent), ui(std::make_unique<Ui::ConfigureCheats>()), title_id{title_id_} {
+ConfigureCheats::ConfigureCheats(Cheats::CheatEngine& cheat_engine_, u64 title_id_, QWidget* parent)
+    : QWidget(parent),
+      ui(std::make_unique<Ui::ConfigureCheats>()), cheat_engine{cheat_engine_}, title_id{
+                                                                                    title_id_} {
     // Setup gui control settings
     ui->setupUi(this);
     ui->tableCheats->setColumnWidth(0, 30);
@@ -34,15 +36,14 @@ ConfigureCheats::ConfigureCheats(Core::System& system, u64 title_id_, QWidget* p
             [this] { SaveCheat(ui->tableCheats->currentRow()); });
     connect(ui->buttonDelete, &QPushButton::clicked, this, &ConfigureCheats::OnDeleteCheat);
 
-    cheat_engine = std::make_unique<Cheats::CheatEngine>(title_id, system);
-
+    cheat_engine.LoadCheatFile(title_id);
     LoadCheats();
 }
 
 ConfigureCheats::~ConfigureCheats() = default;
 
 void ConfigureCheats::LoadCheats() {
-    cheats = cheat_engine->GetCheats();
+    cheats = cheat_engine.GetCheats();
     const int cheats_count = static_cast<int>(cheats.size());
 
     ui->tableCheats->setRowCount(cheats_count);
@@ -106,12 +107,12 @@ bool ConfigureCheats::SaveCheat(int row) {
                                                         ui->textNotes->toPlainText().toStdString());
 
     if (newly_created) {
-        cheat_engine->AddCheat(cheat);
+        cheat_engine.AddCheat(std::move(cheat));
         newly_created = false;
     } else {
-        cheat_engine->UpdateCheat(row, cheat);
+        cheat_engine.UpdateCheat(row, std::move(cheat));
     }
-    cheat_engine->SaveCheatFile();
+    cheat_engine.SaveCheatFile(title_id);
 
     int previous_row = ui->tableCheats->currentRow();
     int previous_col = ui->tableCheats->currentColumn();
@@ -161,7 +162,7 @@ void ConfigureCheats::OnCheckChanged(int state) {
     const QCheckBox* checkbox = qobject_cast<QCheckBox*>(sender());
     int row = static_cast<int>(checkbox->property("row").toInt());
     cheats[row]->SetEnabled(state);
-    cheat_engine->SaveCheatFile();
+    cheat_engine.SaveCheatFile(title_id);
 }
 
 void ConfigureCheats::OnTextEdited() {
@@ -173,8 +174,8 @@ void ConfigureCheats::OnDeleteCheat() {
     if (newly_created) {
         newly_created = false;
     } else {
-        cheat_engine->RemoveCheat(ui->tableCheats->currentRow());
-        cheat_engine->SaveCheatFile();
+        cheat_engine.RemoveCheat(ui->tableCheats->currentRow());
+        cheat_engine.SaveCheatFile(title_id);
     }
 
     LoadCheats();
diff --git a/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_cheats.h b/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_cheats.h
index 28dcb72e58..0c9f0323c2 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_cheats.h
+++ b/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_cheats.h
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #include <memory>
+#include <span>
 #include <QWidget>
 #include "common/common_types.h"
 
@@ -25,7 +26,8 @@ class ConfigureCheats : public QWidget {
     Q_OBJECT
 
 public:
-    explicit ConfigureCheats(Core::System& system, u64 title_id, QWidget* parent = nullptr);
+    explicit ConfigureCheats(Cheats::CheatEngine& cheat_engine, u64 title_id_,
+                             QWidget* parent = nullptr);
     ~ConfigureCheats();
     bool ApplyConfiguration();
 
@@ -58,9 +60,9 @@ private slots:
 
 private:
     std::unique_ptr<Ui::ConfigureCheats> ui;
-    std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Cheats::CheatBase>> cheats;
+    Cheats::CheatEngine& cheat_engine;
+    std::span<const std::shared_ptr<Cheats::CheatBase>> cheats;
     bool edited = false, newly_created = false;
     int last_row = -1, last_col = -1;
     u64 title_id;
-    std::unique_ptr<Cheats::CheatEngine> cheat_engine;
 };
diff --git a/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_per_game.cpp b/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_per_game.cpp
index c5aa3f5ca6..5b4d400440 100644
--- a/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_per_game.cpp
+++ b/src/citra_qt/configuration/configure_per_game.cpp
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ ConfigurePerGame::ConfigurePerGame(QWidget* parent, u64 title_id_, const QString
     graphics_tab = std::make_unique<ConfigureGraphics>(physical_devices, is_powered_on, this);
     system_tab = std::make_unique<ConfigureSystem>(system, this);
     debug_tab = std::make_unique<ConfigureDebug>(is_powered_on, this);
-    cheat_tab = std::make_unique<ConfigureCheats>(system, title_id, this);
+    cheat_tab = std::make_unique<ConfigureCheats>(system.CheatEngine(), title_id, this);
 
     ui->setupUi(this);
 
diff --git a/src/core/cheats/cheats.cpp b/src/core/cheats/cheats.cpp
index aff31f1309..30b8e56cc7 100644
--- a/src/core/cheats/cheats.cpp
+++ b/src/core/cheats/cheats.cpp
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@
 #include "core/cheats/gateway_cheat.h"
 #include "core/core.h"
 #include "core/core_timing.h"
-#include "core/hle/kernel/process.h"
 
 namespace Cheats {
 
@@ -18,11 +17,11 @@ namespace Cheats {
 // we use the same value
 constexpr u64 run_interval_ticks = 50'000'000;
 
-CheatEngine::CheatEngine(u64 title_id_, Core::System& system_)
-    : system(system_), title_id{title_id_} {
-    LoadCheatFile();
+CheatEngine::CheatEngine(Core::System& system_) : system{system_} {}
+
+CheatEngine::~CheatEngine() {
     if (system.IsPoweredOn()) {
-        Connect();
+        system.CoreTiming().UnscheduleEvent(event, 0);
     }
 }
 
@@ -33,24 +32,18 @@ void CheatEngine::Connect() {
     system.CoreTiming().ScheduleEvent(run_interval_ticks, event);
 }
 
-CheatEngine::~CheatEngine() {
-    if (system.IsPoweredOn()) {
-        system.CoreTiming().UnscheduleEvent(event, 0);
-    }
-}
-
-std::vector<std::shared_ptr<CheatBase>> CheatEngine::GetCheats() const {
-    std::shared_lock<std::shared_mutex> lock(cheats_list_mutex);
+std::span<const std::shared_ptr<CheatBase>> CheatEngine::GetCheats() const {
+    std::shared_lock lock{cheats_list_mutex};
     return cheats_list;
 }
 
-void CheatEngine::AddCheat(const std::shared_ptr<CheatBase>& cheat) {
-    std::unique_lock<std::shared_mutex> lock(cheats_list_mutex);
-    cheats_list.push_back(cheat);
+void CheatEngine::AddCheat(std::shared_ptr<CheatBase>&& cheat) {
+    std::unique_lock lock{cheats_list_mutex};
+    cheats_list.push_back(std::move(cheat));
 }
 
 void CheatEngine::RemoveCheat(std::size_t index) {
-    std::unique_lock<std::shared_mutex> lock(cheats_list_mutex);
+    std::unique_lock lock{cheats_list_mutex};
     if (index < 0 || index >= cheats_list.size()) {
         LOG_ERROR(Core_Cheats, "Invalid index {}", index);
         return;
@@ -58,16 +51,16 @@ void CheatEngine::RemoveCheat(std::size_t index) {
     cheats_list.erase(cheats_list.begin() + index);
 }
 
-void CheatEngine::UpdateCheat(std::size_t index, const std::shared_ptr<CheatBase>& new_cheat) {
-    std::unique_lock<std::shared_mutex> lock(cheats_list_mutex);
+void CheatEngine::UpdateCheat(std::size_t index, std::shared_ptr<CheatBase>&& new_cheat) {
+    std::unique_lock lock{cheats_list_mutex};
     if (index < 0 || index >= cheats_list.size()) {
         LOG_ERROR(Core_Cheats, "Invalid index {}", index);
         return;
     }
-    cheats_list[index] = new_cheat;
+    cheats_list[index] = std::move(new_cheat);
 }
 
-void CheatEngine::SaveCheatFile() const {
+void CheatEngine::SaveCheatFile(u64 title_id) const {
     const std::string cheat_dir = FileUtil::GetUserPath(FileUtil::UserPath::CheatsDir);
     const std::string filepath = fmt::format("{}{:016X}.txt", cheat_dir, title_id);
 
@@ -82,7 +75,14 @@ void CheatEngine::SaveCheatFile() const {
     }
 }
 
-void CheatEngine::LoadCheatFile() {
+void CheatEngine::LoadCheatFile(u64 title_id) {
+    {
+        std::unique_lock lock{cheats_list_mutex};
+        if (loaded_title_id.has_value() && loaded_title_id == title_id) {
+            return;
+        }
+    }
+
     const std::string cheat_dir = FileUtil::GetUserPath(FileUtil::UserPath::CheatsDir);
     const std::string filepath = fmt::format("{}{:016X}.txt", cheat_dir, title_id);
 
@@ -90,20 +90,22 @@ void CheatEngine::LoadCheatFile() {
         FileUtil::CreateDir(cheat_dir);
     }
 
-    if (!FileUtil::Exists(filepath))
+    if (!FileUtil::Exists(filepath)) {
         return;
+    }
 
     auto gateway_cheats = GatewayCheat::LoadFile(filepath);
     {
-        std::unique_lock<std::shared_mutex> lock(cheats_list_mutex);
-        std::move(gateway_cheats.begin(), gateway_cheats.end(), std::back_inserter(cheats_list));
+        std::unique_lock lock{cheats_list_mutex};
+        loaded_title_id = title_id;
+        cheats_list = std::move(gateway_cheats);
     }
 }
 
 void CheatEngine::RunCallback([[maybe_unused]] std::uintptr_t user_data, s64 cycles_late) {
     {
-        std::shared_lock<std::shared_mutex> lock(cheats_list_mutex);
-        for (auto& cheat : cheats_list) {
+        std::shared_lock lock{cheats_list_mutex};
+        for (const auto& cheat : cheats_list) {
             if (cheat->IsEnabled()) {
                 cheat->Execute(system);
             }
diff --git a/src/core/cheats/cheats.h b/src/core/cheats/cheats.h
index f19212e601..8f8127d743 100644
--- a/src/core/cheats/cheats.h
+++ b/src/core/cheats/cheats.h
@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #include <memory>
+#include <optional>
 #include <shared_mutex>
+#include <span>
 #include <vector>
 #include "common/common_types.h"
 
@@ -24,22 +26,39 @@ class CheatBase;
 
 class CheatEngine {
 public:
-    explicit CheatEngine(u64 title_id_, Core::System& system);
+    explicit CheatEngine(Core::System& system);
     ~CheatEngine();
+
+    /// Registers the cheat execution callback.
     void Connect();
-    std::vector<std::shared_ptr<CheatBase>> GetCheats() const;
-    void AddCheat(const std::shared_ptr<CheatBase>& cheat);
+
+    /// Returns a span of the currently active cheats.
+    std::span<const std::shared_ptr<CheatBase>> GetCheats() const;
+
+    /// Adds a cheat to the cheat engine.
+    void AddCheat(std::shared_ptr<CheatBase>&& cheat);
+
+    /// Removes a cheat at the specified index in the cheats list.
     void RemoveCheat(std::size_t index);
-    void UpdateCheat(std::size_t index, const std::shared_ptr<CheatBase>& new_cheat);
-    void SaveCheatFile() const;
+
+    /// Updates a cheat at the specified index in the cheats list.
+    void UpdateCheat(std::size_t index, std::shared_ptr<CheatBase>&& new_cheat);
+
+    /// Loads the cheat file from disk for the specified title id.
+    void LoadCheatFile(u64 title_id);
+
+    /// Saves currently active cheats to file for the specified title id.
+    void SaveCheatFile(u64 title_id) const;
 
 private:
-    void LoadCheatFile();
+    /// The cheat execution callback.
     void RunCallback(std::uintptr_t user_data, s64 cycles_late);
+
+private:
+    Core::System& system;
+    Core::TimingEventType* event;
+    std::optional<u64> loaded_title_id;
     std::vector<std::shared_ptr<CheatBase>> cheats_list;
     mutable std::shared_mutex cheats_list_mutex;
-    Core::TimingEventType* event;
-    Core::System& system;
-    u64 title_id;
 };
 } // namespace Cheats
diff --git a/src/core/cheats/gateway_cheat.cpp b/src/core/cheats/gateway_cheat.cpp
index c7782127de..4f9456699e 100644
--- a/src/core/cheats/gateway_cheat.cpp
+++ b/src/core/cheats/gateway_cheat.cpp
@@ -472,8 +472,8 @@ std::string GatewayCheat::ToString() const {
     return result;
 }
 
-std::vector<std::unique_ptr<CheatBase>> GatewayCheat::LoadFile(const std::string& filepath) {
-    std::vector<std::unique_ptr<CheatBase>> cheats;
+std::vector<std::shared_ptr<CheatBase>> GatewayCheat::LoadFile(const std::string& filepath) {
+    std::vector<std::shared_ptr<CheatBase>> cheats;
 
     boost::iostreams::stream<boost::iostreams::file_descriptor_source> file;
     FileUtil::OpenFStream<std::ios_base::in>(file, filepath);
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ std::vector<std::unique_ptr<CheatBase>> GatewayCheat::LoadFile(const std::string
         line = Common::StripSpaces(line); // remove spaces at front and end
         if (line.length() >= 2 && line.front() == '[') {
             if (!cheat_lines.empty()) {
-                cheats.push_back(std::make_unique<GatewayCheat>(name, cheat_lines, comments));
+                cheats.push_back(std::make_shared<GatewayCheat>(name, cheat_lines, comments));
                 cheats.back()->SetEnabled(enabled);
                 enabled = false;
             }
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ std::vector<std::unique_ptr<CheatBase>> GatewayCheat::LoadFile(const std::string
         }
     }
     if (!cheat_lines.empty()) {
-        cheats.push_back(std::make_unique<GatewayCheat>(name, cheat_lines, comments));
+        cheats.push_back(std::make_shared<GatewayCheat>(name, cheat_lines, comments));
         cheats.back()->SetEnabled(enabled);
     }
     return cheats;
diff --git a/src/core/cheats/gateway_cheat.h b/src/core/cheats/gateway_cheat.h
index 14c81786be..ff200af59d 100644
--- a/src/core/cheats/gateway_cheat.h
+++ b/src/core/cheats/gateway_cheat.h
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ public:
     ///     (there might be multiple lines of those hex numbers)
     ///     Comment lines start with a '*'
     /// This function will pares the file for such structures
-    static std::vector<std::unique_ptr<CheatBase>> LoadFile(const std::string& filepath);
+    static std::vector<std::shared_ptr<CheatBase>> LoadFile(const std::string& filepath);
 
 private:
     std::atomic<bool> enabled = false;
diff --git a/src/core/core.cpp b/src/core/core.cpp
index b0faf08c9b..56211d9795 100644
--- a/src/core/core.cpp
+++ b/src/core/core.cpp
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ Core::Timing& Global() {
     return System::GetInstance().CoreTiming();
 }
 
-System::System() : movie{*this} {}
+System::System() : movie{*this}, cheat_engine{*this} {}
 
 System::~System() = default;
 
@@ -320,7 +320,10 @@ System::ResultStatus System::Load(Frontend::EmuWindow& emu_window, const std::st
         LOG_ERROR(Core, "Failed to find title id for ROM (Error {})",
                   static_cast<u32>(load_result));
     }
-    cheat_engine = std::make_unique<Cheats::CheatEngine>(title_id, *this);
+
+    cheat_engine.LoadCheatFile(title_id);
+    cheat_engine.Connect();
+
     perf_stats = std::make_unique<PerfStats>(title_id);
 
     if (Settings::values.dump_textures) {
@@ -502,11 +505,11 @@ const Memory::MemorySystem& System::Memory() const {
 }
 
 Cheats::CheatEngine& System::CheatEngine() {
-    return *cheat_engine;
+    return cheat_engine;
 }
 
 const Cheats::CheatEngine& System::CheatEngine() const {
-    return *cheat_engine;
+    return cheat_engine;
 }
 
 void System::RegisterVideoDumper(std::shared_ptr<VideoDumper::Backend> dumper) {
@@ -560,7 +563,6 @@ void System::Shutdown(bool is_deserializing) {
     if (!is_deserializing) {
         GDBStub::Shutdown();
         perf_stats.reset();
-        cheat_engine.reset();
         app_loader.reset();
     }
     custom_tex_manager.reset();
@@ -718,7 +720,7 @@ void System::serialize(Archive& ar, const unsigned int file_version) {
     if (Archive::is_loading::value) {
         timing->UnlockEventQueue();
         memory->SetDSP(*dsp_core);
-        cheat_engine->Connect();
+        cheat_engine.Connect();
         gpu->Sync();
 
         // Re-register gpu callback, because gsp service changed after service_manager got
diff --git a/src/core/core.h b/src/core/core.h
index 87db181795..66914f7dff 100644
--- a/src/core/core.h
+++ b/src/core/core.h
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include <boost/serialization/version.hpp>
 #include "common/common_types.h"
 #include "core/arm/arm_interface.h"
+#include "core/cheats/cheats.h"
 #include "core/movie.h"
 #include "core/perf_stats.h"
 
@@ -48,10 +49,6 @@ struct New3dsHwCapabilities;
 enum class MemoryMode : u8;
 } // namespace Kernel
 
-namespace Cheats {
-class CheatEngine;
-}
-
 namespace VideoDumper {
 class Backend;
 }
@@ -401,7 +398,7 @@ private:
     Core::Movie movie;
 
     /// Cheats manager
-    std::unique_ptr<Cheats::CheatEngine> cheat_engine;
+    Cheats::CheatEngine cheat_engine;
 
     /// Video dumper backend
     std::shared_ptr<VideoDumper::Backend> video_dumper;