Mass Effect 2 Cheats, Codes, unlockables & Hints

5 Cheats

Cheat List

Alter game files at your own risk and always make backups.
Find the Coalesced.ini file (in Windows XP this will be in the CProgram FilesUSERMass Effect 2BioGameConfigPCCooked folder).
To take out reloading, change AmmoPerShot=1 to AmmoPerShot=0 (doesn't include the M-920 Cain or one-shot weapons)
*For unlimited M-920 Cain use, change AmmoPerShot=100 to AmmoPerShot=000 (Must have 3 numbers in the line no more, no less or you'll crash the game). This cheat is under the section of " [SFXGameContent_Inventory.SFXHeavyWeapon_NukeLauncher] " and not to be confused with the "No reload" cheat
For infinite ammo, change all instances of bInfiniteAmmo=true to bInfiniteAmmo=false
For extra health, change Health=1500 to Health=9500 (Don't go over 9999 or you'll crash the game)
For more Medigel, change MaxMedigel=1 to MaxMedigel=9 (Don't go over 9 or you'll crash the game)
For more probes, change MaxProbes=30 to MaxProbes=90 (Don't go over 99 or you'll crash the game)
For more fuel, change MaxFuel=1000 to MaxFuel=3000
For unlimited fuel, change FuelEfficiency=1.5 to FuelEfficiency=0.0
For unlimited M-920 Cain use, change AmmoPerShot=100 to AmmoPerShot=000 (Must have 3 numbers in the line no more, no less or you'll crash the game). This cheat is in a different place: SFXGameContent_Inventory.SFXHeavyWeapon_NukeLauncher. Not to be confused with the "No reload" cheat.

Infinite YMIR Mechs

(Unconfirmed) When you reach the point in the Freedom's Progress mission where you are told to place your teammates around the giant blast door, you can trick the game into spawning extra YMIR Mechs (Ed: But why would you want to ... ?). First, position your team accordingly, and watch the cutscene. You'll now be confronted by a Giant YMIR Mech. Instead of killing it, turn around, and head BACK through the blast door. This will glitch the game back before the cutscene. Place your team around the blast door again, and the cutscene will play. This will spawn an extra YMIR Mech. Repeat as many times as you wish, but more than three YMIR Mechs will most likely kill you!

Max Out Skill Points ("Infinite" Skill Points)

To do this you'll need to have the Dominate skill, the Retrain Powers and Advanced Training upgrades and tons of Element Zero. You can get the Dominate Skill by recruiting Morinth (Samara's daughter), which means you have to sacrifice Samara in her own loyalty mission. A list of planets with Element Zero can be found below. First, purchase Advanced Training and choose Dominate. This will land you a bonus skill point, which you can use by instituting the Retrain Powers upgrade. Repeat this process for additional skill points -- one at a time!

Double Your Hacking Rewards

Occasionally, after completing a hacking minigame for credits etc. you can press A repeatedly as the window closes and cause the game to glitch out and let you hack a second time -- for another chunk of credits! We've confirmed that this is rare, but it does work -- so get in the habit of mashing.

Infinite M-920 Cain Glitch

After initially firing the M-920 Cain you can keep holding down on the fire button while hitting reload after every shot. The shots will keep firing during the previous shots' explosions (within about 2-3 seconds of each other). Remember: the blast can harm you and your squad mates!

4 Unlockables

Umbra Visor, Recon Hood, Sentry Interface

This works for Xbxo 360 and PC versions. You must have an Bioware account to get these items. Go to this site and create an account. You can use a fake email address and fake info so long as it's the correct number of characters. You do not need to confirm an email address. You must enter an age over 18. After you create your account, enter one of these codes, it doesn't matter which:
CBEEAAA41NWH
CBEEAAAE4L9N
CBEEAAAFQG9J
CBEEAAAE98ZV
After this, choose YOUR ACCOUNT and then click on REDEEM CODE. Login to your EA account and choose your prize. You can choose one of three items (Umbra Visor, Recon Hood, Sentry Interface). For the remaining items you'll need to set up a NEW ACCOUNT and use a DIFFERENT CODE. You cannot use the same account.
On EA/Bioware's interface you need to select Maff Effect 2 and then your prize. You must then click the FINALIZE link and login to your Bioware Account. PC users must download the items. 360 users will receive a message via Cerberus Network link.

Alternate Costumes/Colors

Complete a Loyalty mission for a party member to unlock alternate color schemes for that character.

Bonus Experience, Resources, Paragon and Renegade Points

Start a new game in Mass Effect 2 using a profile from Mass Effect (1) and you'll get the following bonuses:

Experience Points (an amount based on your previous level, basically you'll start at Level 2)
Resources (can be used for weapon and armor upgrades)
Paragon and Renegade Points (if you have the MAXIMUM amount of either Paragon or Renegade points from Mass Effect you'll get a bonus number in of the same points in ME2)

Here is a specific list of bonuses based previously earned Achievements and Levels gained in Mass Effect:

Import a profile with the Rich Achievement - 100,000 Credits
Import a Level 60 character - 10,000 of each Resource, 4,000 Experience Points (Start as a Level 5), 50,000 Credits
Import a Level 50 character - 2,000 Experience Points, 30,000 Credits, 5,000 of each Resource

New Game + Bonuses

Mass Effect 2 features a New Game + feature which allows you to play the game a second time with certain items and stats you accumulated in your first game.

You get to choose your Loyalty Bonus Skill from the start.
Your retain Skill Points but can redistribute them.
Your level and XP carry over; the max level (level cap) is 30.
Your Renegade/Paragon points are reset to neutral.
You keep your weapons and armor, but not the upgrades.

5 Hints

Romancing the Yeoman

If you chat it up with Yeoman Kelly Chambers often and choose to be kind to her you can instigate an "unusual" romantic encounter. You'll eventually be able to invite her to dinner. Additionally, you cannot let Kelly die in the final mission (choose a loyal escort for the crew in the final scene). After you beat the game, talk to Kelly and you'll receive an email from her. Go to your quarters and you'll be able to invite her up using your console. She'll appear and you'll be able to watch the evening's awkward events unwind. She's no Yeoman Rand, but she'll do.

Anomalies Anonymous

You can find anomalies when scanning the following planets (listed as Cluster, System, Planet below). Anomaly = Side Quest!

Caleston Rift, Solveig, Sinmara
Caleston Rift, Talava, Taitus
Crescent Nebula, Lusarn, Tarith
Crescent Nebula, Zelene, Helyme
Eagle Nebula, Amun, Neith
Eagle Nebula, Strabo, Jarrahe Station
Hades Nexus, Sheol, Gei Hin
HourGlass Nebula, Faryar, Daratar
HourGlass Nebula, Ploitari, Zanethu
Minos Wasteland, Fortis, Aequitas
Omega Nebula, Ariniarkan, MSV Strontium Mule
Omega Nebula, Fathar, Lorek
Pylos Nebula, Dirada, Canalus
Pylos Nebula, Nariph, MSV Broken Arrow
Rosetta Nebula, Enoch, Joab
The Shrike Nebula, Xe Cha, Zada Ban
Sigurd's Cradle, Decoris, Sanctum
Sigurd's Cradle, Skepsis, Franklin
Titan Nebula, Haskins, Capek

Geth Pulse Rifle

Note: The Geth Pulse Rifle can only be found on Hardcore or Insanity difficulty. During the recruitment mission for Tali, look for the rifle in the same room you find Tali. It will be sitting on the ground next to a destroyed geth.
Note: You can switch to Hardcore or Insanity difficulty right before commencing this mission to get the rare weapon. Change it back after getting the weapon.

Finding Element Zero

Below is a list of the planets where you can mine the ultra-rare Element Zero. The systems for each Zero-laden planet are listed below, followed by the star and planet names.

Aysur, Arvuna - Moderate
Balor, Calestone - Moderate
Lusam, Tarith - Rich
Zelene, Helyme - Moderate
Amun, Anthur - Rich
Amun, Sekhmet - Moderate
Relic, Preying Mouth - Rich
Dholen, Gotha - Moderate
Hekate, Asteria - Poor
Hekate, Bothros - Poor
Pamyat, Dobrovolski - Moderate
Sheol, Gel Hinnom - Moderate
Schwarzschild, Etamis - Rich
Faryar, Daratar - Rich
Osun, Erinle - Rich
Ploitari, Thegan - Moderate
Nith, Mantun - Moderate
Caestus, Invictus - Moderate
Kalabasha, Yamm - Moderate
Batalla, Nearog - Moderate
Batalla, Thunawanuro - Rich
Salahiel, Ekuna - Moderate
Dirada, Siano - Moderate
Satent, Boro - Rich
Raisaris - Rich
Alpha Draconis, 2175 Aeia - Moderate
Enoch, Joab - Rich
Enoch, Laban - Moderate
Enoch, Mizraim - Rich
Iera, Prospect - Poor
Urla Rast, Talis Fia - Moderate
Xe Cha, Tosal Nym - Rich
Xe Cha, Zada Ban - Rich
Decoris, Sanctum - Moderate
Skepsis, Watson - Rich
Haskins, Capek - Moderate
Micah, Farlas - Moderate
Micah, Israfel - Moderate
Micah, Kakabel - Moderate
Paz, Garvug - Rich

Bonus Paragon or Renegade Interruption Points

During conversations, you may spot a RIGHT or LEFT TRIGGER appear in the top left portion of the screen. If you hit LEFT TRIGGER when the "wings" logo appears you'll get Paragon points. If you hit RIGHT TRIGGER when the "star" appears you'll get Renegade points. You've got to act fast to get the points!