EX Characters

Unlocking EX versions of the characters (basically the same character with a different move set) can be done through survival mode. Every twenty levels you'll face the EX Shadow version of a certain character, and defeating them unlocks it for your own use.

Contributed by: Jmyster90 

Gold/Shadow Characters

Like EX characters, they can be unlocked through survival mode. Once you've gotten to a high enough level in survival, you'll start facing the gold forms of each character (every twenty levels). Defeat them to unlock them for your own use. The other way to unlock them, is via time release.

To select a Shadow character, press Zr (Classic Controller. Whatever button you use to change the color scheme) until reload appears below the character. Then press Dust. To select a gold character, press Zr until Slash appears below the character, and once again, press Dust.

Contributed by: Jmyster90 

Hidden GGXX Slash and #Reload Stages (Wii version only)

After all the EX Characters have been unlocked, GGXX Slash stages will slowly be Time Released in hour increments. Once a stage is unlocked via Time Release, you have access not only to that Slash stage, but also the #Reload version of the stage. To select the #Reload version of the stage, hold the "Respect" button while selecting stages and music, then press the START button. The follow input is for default button setting, for each controller

Contributed by: OriginalHamster 

Unlock EX Characters

To unlock EX Characters, defeat the Shadow version of them in Survival mode. To select them, press Start on the Character select screen.

Contributed by: Dr Pettrovich 

EX Ending Artwork

To unlock the EX ending artwork, finish Arcade mode with the respective EX Character.

Contributed by: Dr Pettrovich 

Guilty Gear Generations

To unlock the Guilty Gear Generations versions of the characters, play the game for a total of 48 hours.

GG Mode: Characters move faster, do relatively more damage, and can Instant Kill opponents without needing to charge. Bursts, Roman Cancels, and Faultless Defense are unavailable. Characters have the ability to charge their tension by holding the Heavy Slash and Dust buttons.

GGX Mode: Bursts and False Roman Cancels are unavailable. Characters can Faultless Defense Cancel their attacks.

Contributed by: Dr Pettrovich 

Unlock Slash Stages

Play the game for more than 48 hours, and then when the stage selection screen comes up, you can select the Slash versions of all the stages.

Contributed by: BlackMephitis7 

Unlock EX Characters In Survival Mode

Use any character of your choosing and defeat their shadow counterpart.

Contributed by: AznBlurrs 

Time released unlockables

Everything other than gallery pictures is unlockable via time release. This means time that you are playing the game, NOT time spent in the main menu, character selection screen, in between arcade matches, etc.

There are normal ways to unlock these, but time released seems to be the easiest way.

Contributed by: hj62779oui1qt7x 

Fight EX, Gold characters in Arcade Mode

Hold down the corresponding button while highlighting Arcade Mode and press Circle.

Note: You can't use Gold or Shadow colors if you fight against Gold Characters.

Contributed by: Yoko 

Play as Gold and Shadow characters.

Play the game for more than 48 hours.

Do the following at the character selection screen.
This also works for EX characters, and possibly all GG modes. (GG GGX and AC)

Contributed by: BlackMephitis7 

Hidden GGXX Slash and #Reload Stages

After all the EX Characters have been unlocked, GGXX Slash Stages will slowly be Time Released in Hour increments. Once a stage is unlocked via Time Release, you have access not only to that Slash stage, but also the #Reload version of the stage.

To select the #Reload version of the stage, hold the "Respect" Button while selecting stages and Music, this is usually the R2 Button.

Contributed by: Mimeblade 

Special Illustrations

This is the method used to unlock the special illustrations found in Gallery Mode.

Contributed by: Mimeblade