The 25 Most Useless Unlockables In Gaming History

Some unlocks change how you play while others barely touch the experience at all. This list rounds up extras that are either purely cosmetic, add novelty without impact, or show up only after you’ve done everything already. For each one, you’ll see what it is, how you get it, and why it doesn’t really affect the moment-to-moment game. Think of these as curios that are fun to check off but don’t help you clear a level faster or survive a tough fight.

Big Head Mode – ‘GoldenEye 007’

This cheat toggles oversized character heads for every model in the game. Players unlock it by meeting specific time targets on certain missions. The mode does not change weapon damage, enemy behavior, or objectives. It is a visual gag that appears in all modes once enabled and has no gameplay effect.

Auditore Cape – ‘Assassin’s Creed II’

The cape unlocks after collecting every feather and finishing associated side tasks. Wearing it sets notoriety to maximum in all cities, drawing guards immediately. It does not add armor, damage, or movement upgrades. The effect applies only while equipped and is primarily a self-imposed challenge reward.

Ice Arrows – ‘The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’

These arrows come from the Gerudo Training Ground as an optional prize. They freeze targets on contact but are rarely required in any dungeon or boss encounter. Most puzzles and combat scenarios are designed around other tools. Players can finish the story without ever using them.

100% Completion T-Shirt – ‘Grand Theft Auto: Vice City’

After hitting full completion, a novelty shirt appears in the Ocean View Hotel wardrobe. It changes the player’s outfit text and look but not any stats. Weapons, health, and missions remain unaffected. The shirt exists mainly as a visual badge acknowledging completion.

Gold Camouflage – ‘Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare’

Gold camos unlock by completing all weapon challenges for a category. The coating changes only the weapon’s appearance and sheen. Accuracy, recoil, and damage values remain identical to the base gun. It serves as a status skin rather than a performance upgrade.

Closet Key Costumes – ‘Resident Evil’

Finishing the game under certain conditions grants a key to open a special locker. The locker provides alternate outfits for the protagonists. Costume selection does not alter inventory slots, defense, or weapon access. The feature is cosmetic and visible only during gameplay and cutscenes.

Luca Theater Playback – ‘Final Fantasy X’

The theater unlocks lets you purchase and replay cutscenes and music tracks. Access becomes available after progressing the story and meeting collection requirements. It offers no changes to stats, abilities, or equipment. The content is a viewing library separate from battle or exploration systems.

Gold Wheels – ‘Mario Kart 8’

Gold tires unlock by beating staff ghosts in Time Trials. They change kart handling slightly toward higher traction and lower acceleration, which many players avoid. The wheels are mostly valued for their look rather than performance. Other wheel sets generally provide more competitive stats.

‘Praise the Sun’ Gesture – ‘Dark Souls’

This emote becomes available through joining a specific covenant or meeting stat prerequisites. It enables a unique praise animation usable at any time. The gesture does not modify stats, equipment, or enemy behavior. Its primary use is social expression in co-op and messages.

Image Gallery – ‘Metroid: Zero Mission’

Artwork galleries unlock based on difficulty and completion time. They display concept art and end-screen images after the credits. No suit upgrades, missile counts, or maps change as a result. The content lives in the extras menu outside the main campaign.

Spectre Apartment – ‘Mass Effect’

With the combat simulator add-on completed, a private quarters space becomes available. The area includes a firing range and display trophies from challenges. It offers no new missions, squad powers, or gear advantages. The location functions as a showcase hub rather than a progression tool.

Doughnut Drake Skin – ‘Uncharted 2: Among Thieves’

This character skin unlocks via in-game currency and progress milestones. Equipping it swaps Nathan Drake to a comedic, exaggerated model. It does not affect weapon accuracy, health, or traversal. The change is visible in campaign and certain modes as a cosmetic toggle.

Alternate Costume Colors – ‘Street Fighter II’

Color swaps appear through specific button inputs or mode conditions. They change only a fighter’s palette while preserving hitboxes and frame data. No moves, damage values, or speed metrics are altered. The option exists for player distinction in versus matches.

Ending Theater – ‘Kingdom Hearts’

After finishing the game, a theater mode allows replaying cinematics. The unlock sits on the main menu and does not touch save data stats. No new abilities or keyblades come from it. It is strictly for rewatching story scenes outside gameplay.

Nomad Chest Gear – ‘Assassin’s Creed Unity’

These chests require linking a companion app or completing mobile tasks. They award gear pieces and cosmetics that mirror standard loot tiering. Stats are comparable to items available through normal play. The requirement is external while the in-game benefit remains routine.

Vintage Suit – ‘Dead Space’

Completing the story or purchasing access adds a retro-styled suit skin. Armor values and inventory capacity match the corresponding suit level already earned. The change is a visual overlay applied at a store kiosk. It does not alter damage mitigation beyond your existing upgrades.

Co-op Hats – ‘Portal 2’

Through drops and store items, players unlock hats and gestures for robots in co-op. These items appear only in lobbies and during celebrations. Test chamber physics, portals, and puzzles remain unchanged. The cosmetics are a social flourish without puzzle advantages.

Chroma Shaders – ‘Destiny’

Shaders unlock from vendors, quests, and events to recolor armor. Applying one changes only the appearance of gear sets. Light level, perks, and weapon stats stay the same. They serve as wardrobe options separate from power progression.

Starship Recolor – ‘Super Mario Odyssey’

Collecting a very high number of Power Moons alters the Odyssey’s appearance. The ship takes on a special finish and related cosmetic touches. No kingdoms, captures, or moveset options are added. The change is a visual milestone signaling extensive collection.

Hestu’s Gift – ‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’

After returning every seed, Hestu grants a unique keepsake. The item occupies inventory but has no active use in combat or puzzles. It does not increase slots beyond existing expansions. The gift functions as a completion memento rather than a tool.

152 Emblem – ‘Halo 5: Guardians’

Reaching the top account level awards a special player emblem. The emblem appears on profiles and in matches as an icon. Weapon handling, shields, and movement do not improve with it. It is a recognition marker tied to time invested.

Golden Weapon Skins – ‘Gears of War 3’

These finishes unlock through challenges, events, or codes. The golden sheen applies to select weapons across modes. Damage, spread, and active reload windows remain identical. The skins are presentation upgrades only.

Golden Tools – ‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’

Players earn gold tool DIY recipes by meeting fishing, bug, and fossil milestones. The crafted tools look distinct but still break after extended use. They do not harvest materials faster than their base versions. The benefit is mainly durability parity with a premium appearance.

Cinematic Filters – ‘Shadow of the Colossus’

Time attack victories unlock a set of visual filters. Applying a filter changes color grading and contrast during play. Movement, stamina, and grip values are unaffected. The feature is a presentation option toggled from the menu.

Stop ‘N’ Swop Eggs – ‘Banjo-Kazooie’

Hidden eggs and a key appear through specific in-game triggers. On original hardware, they existed without practical use due to platform limitations. Later versions tied them to small bonuses across connected releases. In the base game, they serve mainly as collectable curios with minimal direct effect.

Share your picks for unlocks that looked cool but didn’t change the game in the comments!