Guitar Hero 2, the iconic rhythm game that took the world by storm, offered players an exhilarating rockstar experience. For those looking to amplify the fun and unlock hidden features, cheat codes and secrets are the perfect backstage pass. Whether you’re a seasoned shredder or a newcomer to the stage, these codes will give you an edge, unlock cool features, and add a new layer of excitement to your gameplay. Let’s dive into the ultimate list of cheat codes and unlockables for Guitar Hero 2 on PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360, ensuring you have the most rocking experience possible.
Unlock Secret Guitars and Basses
Want to shred with style? Guitar Hero 2 features a range of unique and quirky guitars and basses that can be unlocked by completing specific in-game tasks. Ditch the standard axe and rock out with these awesome instruments:
Secret Guitars:
| Unlockable Guitar | How to Unlock |
|---|---|
| “Snaketapus” Guitar | Beat Hard Mode |
| “The Log” Guitar | 5-Star every song on Expert |
| Battle Axe Guitar | Beat Expert Mode |
| Casket Guitar | Beat Medium Mode |
| Eyeball Guitar | 5-Star every song on Hard |
| Fish Guitar | Beat Easy Mode |
| USA Guitar | 5-Star every song on Easy |
| Viking Guitar | 5-Star every song on Medium |
These guitars not only look cool but also add a fun collectible element to your Guitar Hero 2 journey. Imagine nailing “Free Bird” on Expert with “The Log” guitar – pure rock legend status!
Unlockable Basses in Co-Op Mode:
For those who prefer laying down the basslines in Co-Op mode, there are also exclusive basses to unlock. Team up with a friend and complete these challenges to expand your bass collection:
| Unlockable Bass | How to Unlock |
|---|---|
| Cream SG Bass | Get 5 stars on 20 songs in Co-Op |
| Gibson Grabber Bass | Beat 20 Songs in Co-Op Mode |
| Gibson SG Bass | Beat 10 Songs in Co-Op mode |
| Gibson Thunderbird Bass | Beat 30 Songs in Co-Op mode |
| Hofner Bass | Beat every song on Co-Op mode |
| Lava Pearl Musicman Stingray Bass | Get 5 stars on 10 songs in Co-Op |
| Natural Maple Gibson Grabber Bass | Get 4 stars on all co-op songs. |
| Natural Sunburst Gibson Thunderbird Bass | Get 5 stars on every song in Co-Op |
Unlocking these basses in co-op adds a collaborative goal and rewards you and your bandmate with some sweet-looking instruments.
Gameplay Enhancing Cheat Codes
Guitar Hero 2 cheat codes aren’t just about unlocking items; they can also alter your gameplay experience, making it more visually interesting or even more challenging. Enter these codes at the title menu to activate:
Visual and Fun Cheats:
| Effect | PlayStation 2 Code (Title Menu) | Xbox 360 Code (Title Menu) |
|---|---|---|
| Air Guitar | Y, Y, B, O, Y, B | B, Y, O, B, Y, Y |
| Crowd has Eyeball Heads | B, O, Y, O, Y, O, B | Y, O, B, O, B, O, Y |
| Crowd has Monkey Heads | O, B, Y, Y, O, B, Y, Y | Y, Y, B, O, Y, Y, B, O |
| Flaming Head | O, Y, O, O, Y, O, Y, Y | Y, Y, O, Y, O, O, Y, O |
| Horse Head | B, O, O, B, O, O, B, O, O, B, O, O, B, O, O, B, O | B, O, O, B, O, O, BO, O, B |
Note: For Xbox 360 codes, the colors correspond to the fret buttons: Yellow (Y), Blue (B), Orange (O), and Green (G – not used in these codes). For PlayStation 2, the buttons are represented as Triangle (Y), Square (B), Circle (O), and Cross (X – not used in these codes).
These visual cheats are purely for fun and can make your performances even more entertaining to watch. Imagine the crowd going wild with eyeball heads while you’re shredding a face-melting solo!
Performance and Gameplay Modifier Cheats:
| Effect | PlayStation 2 Code (Title Menu) | Xbox 360 Code (Title Menu) |
|---|---|---|
| Hyper Speed De/Activate | Orange, Blue, Orange, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Orange, Yellow | Yellow, Orange, Blue, Orange, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Orange |
| Hyper Speed (PAL Region Code) | N/A | Y, O, B, O, Y, O, B, O |
| Performance Mode (Guitar God Mode?) | Yellow, Yellow, Blue, Yellow, Yellow, Orange, Yellow, Yellow | Y, Y, B, O, Y, Y, B, O |
| Unlock All Songs (PAL Region Code) | N/A | Blue, Yellow, Orange, Orange, Yellow, Blue, Yellow, Blue, Yellow, Blue, Yellow, Blue, Yellow, Blue, Yellow |
Important Note: Some codes, especially the “Unlock All Songs” code, are region-specific (PAL in this case, common in Europe and Australia). “Hyper Speed” can be both activated and deactivated with the same code. “Performance Mode” typically removes the HUD (Heads-Up Display) for a cleaner, more immersive experience, often referred to as “Guitar God Mode” by players seeking maximum challenge and visual purity.
Glitches and Unique Features
Guitar Hero 2 also had some interesting glitches and hidden features that players discovered over time:
The “R0kk_0n” Glitch: Play Any Section Over Any Song
This unique glitch allows you to layer any song section over another song, creating bizarre and potentially hilarious musical combinations. It’s a bit complex to execute but worth trying for novelty:
Steps:
- Choose your song.
- Enter practice mode.
- Pick the section you want to play.
- Start that section on any speed (slowest is easiest to perform the glitch).
- Unplug your controller right when the options screen comes back up at the end of the section.
- Reinsert the controller and press continue. If the note chart keeps scrolling, you’ve performed the glitch.
- Reset your console (PS2/Xbox 360) to undo the glitch.
This glitch is a testament to the creative exploration of players and adds a layer of experimental fun to Guitar Hero 2.
Hyperspeed Activation via Controller Sequence
Another interesting feature, possibly unintentional but discovered by players, is Hyperspeed activation using a specific controller input sequence directly from the main menu:
Hyperspeed on Dualshock (PS2):
Repeatedly enter: Triangle, Square, X, Square, Triangle, Square, X, Square until a message appears. Don’t do it too slow.
This method provides an alternative way to activate Hyperspeed, bypassing the standard cheat code entry.
Grim Ripper Character Secrets
The Grim Ripper, a fan-favorite character, has a couple of unique quirks:
-
Play The Scythe With Anyone: Unlock Grim Ripper and select him. Then, select another character who has their alternate outfit unlocked. That character will now wield the Scythe guitar (unless you manually change the guitar).
-
Make Grim Ripper Play Gibson Les Paul:
- Unlock the Grim Ripper.
- Select him in Career mode, then exit Career mode.
- Go to Quick Play mode, choose any song and difficulty.
- Play or quit the song after starting.
- Return to Career mode. Grim Ripper will now play the Gibson Les Paul with the Cherry Sunburst Classic skin. To revert to the Scythe, simply re-select it in the “Change Guitar” menu.
These Grim Ripper secrets add a bit of character customization and visual flair, allowing you to personalize your rockstar persona even further.
New Multiplayer Mode: Pro Face-off
For those seeking a more competitive multiplayer experience, Guitar Hero 2 offers “Pro Face-off” mode.
How to Unlock Pro Face-off:
Beat the game on Medium difficulty or higher.
In Pro Face-off mode, both players play all the notes, making it a true test of guitar hero skills and coordination. It’s the ultimate challenge for Guitar Hero veterans and competitive players.
Conclusion
Guitar Hero 2 cheat codes and secrets unlock a plethora of fun features, from quirky visual effects to gameplay modifiers and unique instruments. Whether you’re looking to breeze through songs with Hyperspeed, unlock every guitar in the shop, or just want to see monkey-headed crowds, these codes provide hours of extra entertainment. So grab your guitar controller, enter these codes, and get ready to rock out like never before in Guitar Hero 2! Experiment with these cheats and discover new ways to enjoy this classic rhythm game.
