Cheats & Secrets - Call of Duty: Black Ops

Cheats & Secrets Guide for Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

Overview

Call of Duty: Black Ops features a variety of hidden content, including developer-intended cheat codes (PC only), unlockable game modes, and elaborate Easter eggs across Campaign, Zombies, and Multiplayer. This guide covers all known legitimate secrets and cheats. Console users have no built-in cheat codes beyond unlockable rewards, but the PC version offers extensive developer console commands.

---

PC Console Cheats (Developer Commands)

The PC version of Black Ops includes a developer console that can be enabled to access cheats. Note: Using these cheats disables achievements and may corrupt save files. Use at your own risk.

#### Enabling the Console
1. Open Steam and go to Library.
2. Right-click Call of Duty: Black Ops and select Properties.
3. In the General tab, click Set Launch Options.
4. Add: `+set sv_cheats 1`
5. Launch the game. Press the ~ (tilde) key to open the console.

Alternatively, create a `config.cfg` file in the game directory with `set sv_cheats 1`.

#### Useful Console Commands

Command	Effect
`god`	Enables god mode (invulnerable).
`noclip`	Allows you to fly through walls.
`notarget`	Enemies ignore you.
`give all`	Gives all weapons and ammunition.
`cg_fov 90`	Increases field of view (default 65).
`map <mapname>`	Loads any multiplayer map (e.g., `mp_nuketown`).
`spdevmap <mapname>`	Loads any singleplayer map in developer mode (e.g., `sp_vorkuta`).
`timescale 0.5`	Slows down gameplay speed (0.5 = half speed).

---

Unlock Codes & Hidden Content (Consoles & PC)

While no traditional cheat codes exist for consoles, the following can be unlocked through legitimate means:

#### Unlockable Game Modes

Dead Ops Arcade – A top-down shooter mini-game. Unlocked by completing the Campaign on any difficulty.

Zombies Mode – Unlocked after completing the Campaign. Note: Zombies is also accessible via the main menu after a certain point, but campaign completion permanently unlocks it.

Multiplayer Customization – New weapons, attachments, and camos are unlocked via challenges and leveling, not codes.

Left, Left, Left, Right, Right, Right, Up, Up, Up, Down, Down, Down

Action

Easter Eggs

"Numbers" Broadcast – In the mission Numbers, find a radio on the ground floor of the building with the Russian broadcast. Interact with it to hear a cryptic code.

Russian Roulette – In Executive Order, after the part with the piano, look for a desk with a revolver and three bullets. Interacting triggers a brief scene.

Reznov's Appearance – In Project Nova, in the room with the chemical containers, look at the reflection in a mirror to see a ghostly image of Reznov.

Wolfenstein Reference – In Escape from Vorkuta, in the cafeteria, there is a hidden room with a picture of William "B.J." Blazkowicz (from Wolfenstein).

Pontiac Firebird – In Numbers, a blue car with license plate "REZNOV" can be found in the courtyard.

Kino der Toten – "Fly Trap" – Shoot specific glowing items around the map (e.g., lights above the stage, glowing bottles) in a certain order to spawn a permanent perk bottle.

Five – "Pentagon Thief" – Complete steps involving the teleporter, the computer, and the trap to steal a special weapon from the thief.

Ascension – Lander Step – Shoot the lander as it flies overhead to spawn a free perk drop.

Call of the Dead – George Romero – Kill George Romero (the special zombie) to get a bonus weapon.

Shangri-La – Free Perk – Solve the water puzzle and step on the correct plates to get a free perk.

Moon – Easter Egg Song & Permanent Pack-a-Punch – Complete multiple steps (including hacking terminals) to activate the song and unlock permanent PaP.

Nuketown Mannequins – The mannequins in the map Nuketown occasionally blink or turn their heads. If you shoot them in the right order, a secret message appears? (Unofficial – more of a visual easter egg.)

Radiation Warning – In the map Radiation, there is a hidden room with a poster of a zombie.

Menu Hidden Video – Leave the main menu idle for several minutes; a short video of a numbers station broadcast may play (rare).

Hidden Features & Exploit-Safe Secrets

M1911 Pistol – In the mission Vorkuta, after the gulag escape, look for a small room with a crate. Shoot the crate to reveal a hidden M1911.

Crossbow – In Zombies, the Crossbow can be obtained by completing the "Fly Trap" easter egg on Kino der Toten. It kills zombies instantly but has limited ammo.

Zombie Wall Hacks – On some maps, you can shoot through certain thin walls to kill zombies (e.g., the barrier in Kino der Toten near the theater). This is a design oversight but not a cheat.

Drop Weapon Glitch – In Campaign, you can sometimes pick up enemy weapons that are not normally available (e.g., the RPG-7 in early missions).

Important Notes

PC Cheats Disable Achievements – Using `sv_cheats` will prevent you from earning Steam achievements.

Console Cheats Do Not Exist – The PlayStation and Xbox versions have no official cheat codes. The only way to unlock hidden content is through normal gameplay.

Online Multiplayer – Using any cheat or exploit in online multiplayer is bannable. Stick to singleplayer or private matches.

Save File Corruption – Using developer commands on PC can corrupt your save data. Backup your saves before experimenting.

---

Conclusion

Call of Duty: Black Ops is rich with developer-intended secrets and Easter eggs. While console players must earn hidden content through gameplay, PC players can enjoy the freedom of developer console cheats. Whether you're hunting for Easter eggs, unlocking Dead Ops Arcade, or simply exploring the Cold War conspiracy, this guide provides all the tools you need to uncover the game's deepest secrets.