How to Unlock All Monsters in Godzilla Melee Remastered

Unlocking is currency-based in the remaster, not campaign-gated. Here is where to spend, which modes pay best, and the fastest route to all 12 monsters.

Last Updated: 2026-11-02

How to Unlock All Monsters in Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered artwork
How to Unlock All Monsters in Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered artwork

The remaster does not make you clear a specific campaign to unlock a specific monster. Every fighter is purchased with in-game currency, and you can buy them in any order. That is the single most important change from the 2002 release, where three monsters were available at the start and the other nine were tied to progression.

The official store description says the improved unlock system "gives you the choice to unlock monsters, locations, and gallery items in any order." The practical consequence is that your first purchase should be the monster you actually want to play, not the cheapest one or the one the menu lists first.

The short version

  1. Play any mode that awards currency. Campaigns, local versus, and online matches all contribute.
  2. Open the roster or gallery unlock screen.
  3. Buy the monster you want. The game does not gate a fighter behind another fighter.
  4. Repeat until all 12 are unlocked.

There are no cheat codes, no button combinations, and no hidden "beat the game with every character" requirement. If a video claims a secret input unlocks a monster, it is showing a mod or a menu that does not exist in the retail build.

Buy your main first

Do not spread currency across three cheap monsters. Buy the one fighter that fits your playstyle, learn it, and use it to earn faster in the modes you enjoy. The roster page has a shortlist by archetype.

Where currency comes from

The game does not publish a single "best" farming mode, and the remaster's economy may be tuned in a patch. The reliable sources are:

  • Single-player campaigns. Each kaiju has its own campaign, and completing matches pays currency. This is the most structured route and the best way to learn a character.
  • Local versus. Playing against friends or the CPU in local matches pays currency. If you have a second controller, this can be faster than repeated campaign clears because there is no story overhead.
  • Online matches. Online versus pays currency for completed matches. The amount may depend on the result and the mode, but the game does not require a win to progress.
  • Gallery and challenge objectives. Some unlocks are tied to in-game achievements or gallery milestones. Check the gallery screen for tasks that pay currency or unlock items directly.

The important detail is that you are not forced into a mode you dislike. If you only want to play online, you can earn the roster through online matches. If you prefer local play, the same currency accumulates there.

What to unlock first

The best first purchase depends on how you want to play. A few sensible routes:

Your priority First purchase Why
Learn the fundamentals Godzilla All-round tools, projectile, forgiving weight
Win from range King Ghidorah Wide normals and gravity beams
Play a zoner Mechagodzilla Armor and straightforward projectiles
Rush down Godzilla 2000 Speed and forward pressure
Play a grappler Megalon Long-range drill and strong grabs
Play a technical character Kiryu High ceiling, freeze tools, heavyweight normals
Play a fast mix-up character Gigan Movement and buzzsaw pressure
Play the aerial game Rodan Flight routes and hit-and-run

If you already know you want Kiryu or Destoroyah, buy them first. The "beginner" label on Godzilla does not mean you have to start there. It means his toolkit is easier to use while you learn the system.

The unlock screen

The unlock panel is part of the roster or gallery interface. It lists monsters, locations, and gallery items with a currency price. The remaster does not hide the price behind a campaign clear, so you can see exactly what you are saving for.

If you cannot find the panel, check the following:

  • The Gallery menu, which handles collectibles and may house the unlock shop.
  • The Roster or character-select screen, which sometimes has a "purchase" prompt on locked portraits.
  • The Campaign menu, which may show an unlock shortcut after a match.

The exact menu label can differ by platform, but the structure is the same. The game does not require you to finish a mode before the shop appears; it is available from the start.

No pre-order monster

There is no pre-order exclusive fighter and no retailer-specific character. The 12-monster roster is the same on every platform. The only difference is the platform price, not the unlock list.

A practical unlock order

If you want a route that minimizes wasted currency, try this:

Phase 1: one main. Buy Godzilla, King Ghidorah, or Mechagodzilla. These three cover the basic archetypes and are forgiving enough to earn currency in any mode. Play 10 to 15 matches with the one you choose.

Phase 2: one counter. Buy a fighter that covers your main's bad matchup. If you play a zoner, buy a fast character who can pressure other zoners. If you play a grappler, buy a character with a reliable projectile. This prevents you from being stuck when the online pool adapts.

Phase 3: the fun pick. Buy the monster you actually wanted, even if it is not "top tier." The game is more enjoyable when you are not grinding with a character you dislike. The tier list separates easy wins from high-level potential, so you can make an informed choice.

Phase 4: completion. Buy the remaining monsters, then the arenas and gallery items. If you care about achievements, check the gallery tasks before spending the last of your currency; some items may unlock through play rather than purchase.

Do you need to finish every campaign?

No. The remaster's official description says unlocks can be purchased in any order, and the campaigns are separate single-player routes for each kaiju. You do not need to complete all 12 campaigns to unlock all 12 monsters.

That said, the campaigns are the best tutorial for each fighter. If you want to learn a monster before taking it online, play its campaign first. The mode teaches the move set in a low-pressure environment and pays currency along the way.

The unlock system also covers locations and gallery items. The same currency is used, so there is an opportunity cost: every arena you buy is a monster you have not bought yet. If your goal is the full roster, prioritize monsters first and buy arenas after.

The eight locations are playable in versus and online modes, but some may be locked at the start. The maps guide explains the arena list and the day/night variants. The gallery items are cosmetic or archival; they do not affect combat.

Common unlock questions

Can I unlock monsters by beating the game? You can earn currency by beating campaigns, but there is no single "beat the game" unlock that grants the full roster. The shop is the route.

Is there a secret character? No. The official roster is 12, and Mothra is not playable. The roster page explains the Mothra situation.

Do online wins pay more? The game does not publish a payout table, and the economy may change. Play the mode you enjoy; the difference is not worth forcing yourself into ranked if you dislike it.

Does difficulty affect currency? The remaster has difficulty options, but Atari has not published a difficulty multiplier. Higher difficulty may be more efficient if you can clear it quickly; test it rather than assuming.

Can I reset my unlocks? The game does not advertise a reset. If you spend currency on a monster you dislike, you cannot refund it. That is why the first purchase matters.

The fastest realistic route

The fastest route is not a exploit. It is:

  1. Pick a main you enjoy.
  2. Play the mode with the shortest matches and the least downtime. Local versus against the CPU is often faster than campaign cutscenes; online is faster if matchmaking is quick.
  3. Buy the second fighter that covers your main's weakness.
  4. Keep playing the same mode until the roster is complete.

Do not chase a "currency glitch" video. Launch-window exploits are often patched, and some are fake. The legitimate route is fast enough: 12 monsters is a small roster, and the game does not require a 40-hour grind for each one.

Official source: Steam store page for Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered

For the next read, compare the tier list and the unlock route.

Sources and verification

If the launch build's currency prices differ from the review build, the shop will show the final numbers. This page intentionally avoids inventing exact costs that Atari has not published.

More Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered Guides

Destoroyah Guide: High-Damage Closers and Pressure

How to play Destoroyah in the remaster: closing space, turning one opening into huge damage, and managing the commitment that makes him high-risk.

Gigan Guide: Buzzsaw Mix-Ups and Fast Pressure

How to play Gigan in the remaster: buzzsaw pressure, chest laser zoning, movement mix-ups, and the defense you need to survive his small health pool.

Godzilla 2000 Guide: Rushdown Pressure and Spiral Breath

How to play Godzilla 2000 in the remaster: the faster Godzilla's pressure game, spiral breath punishes, Rage timing, and the matchups where speed fails.

Godzilla Guide: Moves, Rage Mode, and Matchups

How to play Godzilla in the remaster: the neutral game, atomic breath timing, Rage Mode usage, and the matchups that punish careless beam spam.

King Ghidorah Guide: Gravity Beams and Space Control

How to play King Ghidorah in the remaster: using three heads and gravity beams to control space, when to stomp, and how to survive when a brawler gets inside.

Kiryu Guide: Freeze Setups and Maser Pressure

How to play Kiryu in the remaster: the freeze tool, maser zoning, heavyweight normals, and the setup routes that make him the highest-ceiling monster.

Mecha-King Ghidorah Guide: Cables, Traps, and Zoning

How to play Mecha-King Ghidorah in the remaster: using cable traps and gravity beams to control space, and why the setup character is harder than King Ghidorah.

Mechagodzilla Guide: Armor, Missiles, and Mid-Range Control

How to play the Showa Mechagodzilla in the remaster: armor trades, missile pressure, beam zoning, and the close-range weakness that keeps him honest.