Look, we’ve all been there. You’re staring at the character select screen in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, and you just want to play as Hulk or Thor without grinding through hours of mission objectives. Or maybe you're stuck on a particularly nasty boss and "God Mode" sounds like a pretty good idea right about now.
Cheat codes in this game are a weird relic of the late 2000s. They aren't like modern DLC where you just click a button; they require specific D-pad sequences that feel like you're inputting a secret handshake. But there's a catch—and it's a big one. Most marvel ultimate alliance 2 codes will effectively "lock" your game. This means no saving and no achievements. Honestly, it’s a high price to pay just to see a different costume early.
The Codes That Won't Ruin Your Day
Believe it or not, the developers actually left a few "safe" codes in the mix. If you use these specific character unlocks, you can still save your progress and earn trophies or achievements. It’s basically the only way to get the "full" roster early without the game treating you like a criminal.
For the PlayStation and Xbox versions (including the 2016 re-releases), these are the ones you'll actually want to use. You enter them during active gameplay.
- Unlock Hulk: Down, Left, Left, Up, Right, Up, Down, Left, Start (or Options)
- Unlock Jean Grey: Left, Left, Right, Right, Up, Down, Up, Down, Start (or Options)
- Unlock Thor: Up, Right, Right, Down, Right, Down, Left, Right, Start (or Options)
If you’re on the PS4 or Xbox One versions, remember that "Start" is now your "Options" or "Menu" button. You’ll know it worked because you’ll hear a distinct sound. If you don't hear the chime, you probably weren't fast enough. These three are unique because they don't trigger the "Cheats Enabled" flag that kills your save file.
The "Nuclear Option" Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Codes
Now, let's talk about the big stuff. The codes that unlock everything. These are great if you just want to mess around for an afternoon, but again, you cannot save your game after entering these. If you turn off the console, all that progress is gone.
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Unlocking the Full Roster
If you want every hero at once, go to the Character Select screen or the S.H.I.E.L.D. save zone and tap this in:
Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Left, Left, Start.
It’s a bit different on the Wii and PS2 versions, but for the main consoles, this is the gold standard.
Getting All Costumes
The alternate skins in MUA2 are honestly some of the best parts of the game (the Iron Fist "Modern" look is a personal favorite). Usually, you have to kill 50 enemies with a character to get their alt. If you’re impatient, use this at the hero details menu:
Up, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Start.
God Mode and Infinite Power
Sometimes you just want to feel like a literal god. While playing the game, input:
Down, Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Down.
This gives you infinite health and fusion. It turns the game into a total power fantasy, though it takes away any semblance of challenge. It’s fun for about twenty minutes until you realize you can’t die, which—ironically—makes the game kind of boring.
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Why Some Codes Don't Work on PC or Next-Gen
If you’re playing the 2016 PC port or the remastered versions on PS4/Xbox One, you might find that some legacy codes from the PS2 or Wii versions just flat-out fail. This is because the game was built on a different engine for the "lower-end" consoles back in 2009.
The Wii/PS2 version was developed by n-Space, while the Xbox 360/PS3 version (the one the remasters are based on) was Vicarious Visions. They are essentially two different games sharing the same script. If you're looking at a guide that mentions "Unlock All Movies" or "Unlock All Dossiers" and it’s not working on your PS4, it’s likely a code meant for the n-Space version.
The Power of Team Bonuses
If you don't want to use marvel ultimate alliance 2 codes because you're worried about your save file, you should focus on Team Bonuses instead. This is the "legit" way to cheat. By picking specific groups of four heroes, you get massive passive buffs that make the game significantly easier.
- Classic Avengers: (Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, Captain America) – This gives you a +15% Max Stamina boost.
- Fantastic Four: (Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Thing, Human Torch) – This gives a massive +35% Fusion Gain. Fusions are the most powerful moves in the game, so this is basically "easy mode."
- New Avengers: (Spider-Man, Iron Man, Luke Cage, Wolverine, Iron Fist, or Ms. Marvel) – You get +10% to all Resistances.
- Agile Warriors: (Spider-Man, Deadpool, Iron Fist, Daredevil) – Gives a +2 boost to all Attributes.
Mixing and matching these is often better than using a cheat code because the buffs stack with your equipped boosts.
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How to Unlock Characters Without Cheating
For the completionists who want that Platinum trophy or 1000 Gamerscore, you have to do it the hard way. Luckily, it’s not actually that hard. Most of the heavy hitters are tied to collectibles or specific story beats.
- Hulk: Find 5 Gamma Regulators hidden throughout the levels.
- Jean Grey: Collect 5 M'Kraan Shards.
- Thor: Find 5 Asgardian Runes.
- Nick Fury: Just beat the game. Simple as that.
- Pro-Reg vs Anti-Reg: Depending on which side you pick during the Civil War split, you'll unlock characters like Iron Fist (Anti-Reg) or Songbird (Pro-Reg). You have to play the game twice to get everyone anyway.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're starting a new playthrough, the best move is to enter the Hulk, Thor, and Jean Grey codes immediately. Since they don't disable saving or achievements, you're essentially getting three of the strongest characters in the game for free at Level 1. This makes the early New York missions a breeze.
Avoid the "All Characters" or "God Mode" codes unless you are strictly playing a one-off session with friends and don't care about progress. If you do accidentally trigger a cheat and see the warning message, do not save. Quit to the main menu immediately to keep your save file "clean." Otherwise, you'll be stuck with a permanent "Cheats Enabled" mark that prevents you from ever earning another achievement on that file.