Extra screen resolutions
Start the game with the "descent2 -superhires" command line. Then, 1024x768 and 1280x1024 selections will appear on the screen resolutions menu.
Kill robots
While playing a game, type "spaniard" to kill all robots in the mine. Repeat this code to kill the Boss robot (or Guide-Bot if no Boss is present). Repeat this code again to kill the Guide-Bot.
Cheat Codes
While playing a game, enter the following codes to activate the corresponding cheat function.
Note: Enabling any of these codes will reset your score to 0 unless a new game is started or when the frame rate is displayed.
| Cheat Code | Result |
| almighty | Invincibility |
| alifalafel | All accessories |
| freespace | Level select (1-24) |
| lpnlizard | Homing weapons |
| bittersweet | Fish-eye view |
| pigfarmer | View John's head/Shrunken window |
| gowingnut | Psycho Guide-Bot |
| godzilla | Crash into robots with one hit |
| helpvishnu | Creates/Replaces the Guide-Bot |
| motherlode | Wowie Zowie weapons [Note] |
| honestbob | Wowie Zowie weapons |
| ericaanne | Bouncing weapons [Note] |
| duddaboo | Bouncing weapons |
| rockrgrl | Full Map |
| joshuaakira | Full map [Note] |
| zingermans | God mode [Note] |
| eatangelos | All weapons [Note] |
| currygoat | All keys [Note] |
| oralgroove or algroove | All keys |
| whammazoom | Level warp [Note] |
| frametime | Display framerate |
| silkwing | Mechs destroy each other |
| gabbagabbahey | 1% shields and energy |
| bittersweet | Underwater appearing walls |
| blueorb | Shield at 27% |
| wildfire | Rapid fire |
| fopkjewa, delshiftb, or ahwlmbpf | Destroy reactor |
Note: Enabling this code will leave shields and energy at 1%.