Twisted Metal 2 remains the undisputed king of car combat. Decades after its initial release, the chaos of Calypso’s tournament continues to draw in players, whether they are revisiting the classic on original hardware or streaming the emulated version on PS5 and PS4 via modern subscription services. While the gameplay is tight and the learning curve is rewarding, sometimes you just want to watch the world burn without worrying about your health bar. That is where cheats come in.

In the world of Twisted Metal 2 (known as World Tour in some regions), cheats aren't just an afterthought; they are woven into the mechanics of the game. From secret button combos that trigger special attacks to long-form passwords that skip you straight to the final showdown with Dark Tooth, mastering these codes is a rite of passage for any vehicular combatant. This article breaks down every essential cheat and password available in the game as of 2026.

The Essential In-Game Special Moves

Unlike traditional "cheats" that require a password screen, these are tactical commands executed during live gameplay. These moves consume your blue energy bar, which regenerates over time. Mastering these is crucial for high-level play, even if you aren't using "true" cheats.

  • Freeze Burst: Press Left, Right, Up. This is arguably the most important move in the game. It freezes an opponent in place for several seconds, leaving them vulnerable to a full volley of missiles or a specialized ramming attack.
  • Napalm: Press Right, Left, Up. This launches a high-arcing firebomb. It’s difficult to aim but deals significant splash damage to grouped enemies.
  • Drop Mine: Press Right, Left, Down. Perfect for when an aggressive AI like Mr. Slam is tailing you too closely.
  • Shield: Press Up, Up, Right. This provides a few seconds of near-invincibility. Timing this to absorb a Power Missile or a Special Weapon is the difference between winning and losing in later stages like Holland.
  • Jump: Press Up, Up, Left. Use this to dodge incoming projectiles or reach higher platforms in levels like New York.
  • Rear Attack: Press Left, Right, Down. This allows you to fire your currently selected weapon behind you. It is particularly effective with Homing Missiles.
  • Invisibility: Press Right, Down, Left, Up. This drains energy quickly but makes you untargetable for a short duration.
  • Minion's Special: While holding R2 (Machine Gun), press Up, Down, Up, Up. This allows any vehicle to fire Minion's devastating tank blast, provided you have the energy.

Global Gameplay Cheats (PlayStation Version)

These codes must be entered quickly during gameplay (not on the pause screen). If entered correctly, you will see a confirmation message or hear a sound.

God Mode (Invincibility)

This is the holy grail of Twisted Metal 2 cheats. To activate it, hold L1 + R1 and quickly press Up, Down, Left, Right, Right, Left, Down, Up. Once active, your vehicle will take zero damage from all sources. Note that if you fall off a cliff (like in the Antarctica level), you will still lose a life.

Infinite Weapons and Turbo

To never run out of Fire Missiles or Turbo boost, hold L2 + R2 and press Up, Down, Left, Right, Right, Left, Down, Up. This turns every vehicle into a non-stop engine of destruction.

Mega Machine Guns

To significantly increase the damage of your standard machine guns, hold R2 and press Up, Down, Left, Right, Right, Left, Down, Up. This is often overlooked but can shred opponents faster than missiles when combined with a Freeze Burst.

Homing Napalm

This makes your Napalm shots track enemies like Homing Missiles. Highlight your Napalm in the weapon inventory, hold L2 and press Up, Down, Down, Left, Left, Left, Right, Right.

Unlocking Secret Characters

Twisted Metal 2 features two boss-tier characters that are not available on the initial selection screen. You must enter these codes at the vehicle select screen.

  • Play as Minion: At the character select screen, press L1, Up, Down, Left. Minion has the highest armor in the game and a special weapon that combines a freeze effect with massive damage.
  • Play as Sweet Tooth: At the character select screen, press Up, L1, Triangle, Right. The legendary ice cream truck returns with its homing clown heads. While not as tanky as Minion, Sweet Tooth is incredibly agile and dangerous in mid-range combat.

Level Passwords by Character

Before the era of memory cards and cloud saves became universal, Twisted Metal 2 used a password system to track progress. Each character has a unique set of passwords for each level. Using these allows you to jump to your favorite stage with your favorite driver immediately.

Axel Passwords

Axel is a powerhouse with high speed but vulnerable wheels. Use these to progress through his tournament:

  • Moscow: X, Triangle, X, X, (Blank), (Blank)
  • Paris: Circle, Triangle, Square, (Blank), Triangle, (Blank)
  • Amazonia: Triangle, Triangle, Square, Circle, Circle, (Blank)
  • New York: (Blank), Triangle, Square, Square, X, (Blank)
  • Antarctica: X, X, Triangle, Square, Triangle, Circle
  • Holland: Circle, X, Circle, Triangle, Circle, Circle
  • Hong Kong: Triangle, X, Circle, X, X, Circle
  • Dark Tooth (Final Boss): Triangle, Square, Triangle, Square, (Blank), Square

Mr. Grimm Passwords

The glass cannon of the game. Mr. Grimm has almost no armor but the most powerful special weapon.

  • Moscow: Triangle, Triangle, X, X, Circle, (Blank)
  • Paris: Circle, X, Triangle, Circle, Triangle, X
  • Amazonia: X, Square, Square, Triangle, Triangle, Triangle
  • New York: Triangle, (Blank), (Blank), Circle, X, Circle
  • Antarctica: Circle, Triangle, X, Triangle, X, (Blank)
  • Holland: X, X, Triangle, (Blank), Circle, X
  • Hong Kong: (Blank), X, Circle, Triangle, Square, Square
  • Dark Tooth: (Blank), Square, Triangle, Circle, Circle, Triangle

Shadow Passwords

Shadow's special weapon can pass through walls, making him a tactical nightmare in urban levels.

  • Moscow: Square, (Blank), (Blank), Triangle, Triangle, (Blank)
  • Paris: X, X, Circle, (Blank), Triangle, X
  • Amazonia: X, Triangle, X, Square, Circle, Triangle
  • New York: X, (Blank), (Blank), X, Circle, Square
  • Antarctica: Circle, X, Circle, Circle, X, Circle
  • Holland: Circle, Triangle, Square, Triangle, Square, (Blank)
  • Hong Kong: Circle, (Blank), Triangle, (Blank), Square, X
  • Dark Tooth: Circle, Triangle, (Blank), Triangle, Circle, (Blank)

Thumper Passwords

The low-rider with a flamethrower. Thumper is excellent for close-quarters combat.

  • Moscow: Circle, (Blank), (Blank), Triangle, X, (Blank)
  • Paris: X, Square, Square, Circle, Circle, Triangle
  • Amazonia: Triangle, X, Circle, (Blank), Square, (Blank)
  • New York: X, X, Triangle, Triangle, X, Triangle
  • Antarctica: Triangle, Triangle, Square, (Blank), (Blank), (Blank)
  • Holland: X, Triangle, X, (Blank), Square, Triangle
  • Hong Kong: Triangle, (Blank), (Blank), Square, Triangle, (Blank)
  • Dark Tooth: Triangle, (Blank), Triangle, X, Circle, (Blank)

Roadkill Passwords

A well-balanced vehicle perfect for beginners learning the ropes.

  • Moscow: Circle, X, Triangle, Square, Square, (Blank)
  • Paris: Triangle, (Blank), Triangle, (Blank), (Blank), Circle
  • Amazonia: X, X, Triangle, Circle, Square, Triangle
  • New York: Circle, (Blank), (Blank), X, (Blank), X
  • Antarctica: (Blank), Triangle, Square, X, Circle, (Blank)
  • Holland: X, (Blank), (Blank), Triangle, (Blank), Square
  • Hong Kong: Triangle, Square, Square, Triangle, Circle, Triangle
  • Dark Tooth: Triangle, Circle, X, Triangle, Square, X

PC Version Exclusive Cheats

The PC port of Twisted Metal 2 uses a different cheat system based on typing words rather than button combinations. To use these, simply type the word "glorious" during gameplay to enable the cheat mode, then type the following:

  • DIVINE: God Mode (Invulnerability).
  • ALLUCANEAT: Massive health/Invulnerability boost.
  • HOLY SMOKES: Unlimited ammunition for all weapons.
  • DOUBLEDOWN: Increases the power of all weapons.
  • SLAMFEST: Increases the damage dealt by ramming opponents.
  • GIMMEMORE: Grants additional weapons immediately.
  • 2HOT: All Napalms become homing projectiles.
  • CUSUCKA: Upgrades your machine guns to super-powered versions.
  • GLORIOUS BIG BOY: Type this at the character select screen to play as Minion.
  • GLORIOUS ICE CREAM: Type this at the character select screen to play as Sweet Tooth.

Secret Multiplayer Levels

Twisted Metal 2 features several hidden levels that are only accessible in the 2-player split-screen mode. These are ports or modified versions of levels from the first game or unique bonus tracks. Enter these at the level selection screen in multiplayer mode:

  • Cyburbia (Classic Level): Press Down, Up, L1, R1.
  • Jet Moto Track (Suicide Swamp): Press Up, Down, Right, R1. This level is a crossover with the Jet Moto racing series.
  • Rooftops (Secret Manhattan): Press Down, Left, R1, Down.

If you are on PC, type "DAS BAK" at the multiplayer level select screen to enable these tracks.

Cheats and Modern Trophies (PS4/PS5)

For those playing the emulated versions on modern consoles, there is a common concern: do cheats disable trophies? The answer is nuanced.

Generally, using the God Mode or Infinite Ammo codes will disable the ability to earn trophies during that session. However, the game’s internal logic allows for some flexibility. A common strategy for the "Platinum Trophy" involves using God Mode to deplete a difficult boss's health (like the second phase of Dark Tooth) to about 50%, then re-entering the code to disable it and letting yourself be destroyed once. After you respawn and finish the boss without the cheat active, the trophy will often trigger.

Level passwords do not typically disable trophies for completing specific stages, making them a great tool for trophy hunters who want to skip the easier early levels and get straight to the challenges required for the 100% completion.

Strategic Advice for Using Cheats

While playing with God Mode is fun for a quick stress-relief session, the true depth of Twisted Metal 2 is found in its tactical variety. If you are struggling with the game's difficulty, consider using the Energy Cheats (Shields and Freeze) more effectively before jumping straight to full invincibility.

For example, in the Antarctica level, the platform slowly disintegrates. No amount of God Mode will save you if you fall into the icy water. In this stage, the Jump command (Up, Up, Left) is more valuable than invincibility. Similarly, in Holland, the open field makes you a target for every enemy at once. Instead of God Mode, try using Invisibility (Right, Down, Left, Up) to reposition yourself and pick off enemies one by one.

Final Thoughts on Twisted Metal 2

Twisted Metal 2 is a masterpiece of 90s game design that holds up remarkably well in 2026. The cheats are a legacy of an era where games were meant to be broken and explored. Whether you are using Sweet Tooth to wreak havoc in Paris or using the God Mode code to survive the brutal onslaught in Hong Kong, these secrets ensure that the game remains accessible and entertaining for everyone.

Remember to input the codes quickly and precisely. On modern controllers, the D-pad is often more reliable than the analog stick for these specific directional inputs. Now, choose your vehicle, enter your codes, and show Calypso that you have what it takes to survive the World Tour.