Spelunky 2 features cavernous depths that descend even more infinitely than the first game, which lead to it being heralded as one of the best indie games of 2020. With a massive host of levels – both secret and regular – to explore, players are sure to find new content even dozens of hours into their time with the game. There's so much, players will likely need a guide to find it all.
One of the most prominent unlockables are the new characters that can explore the world. Found (mostly) trapped inside coffins, these Spelunkers will make the hub world a more lively and welcoming place, as well as potentially unlocking a secret of their own. With 16 characters to find outside of the 4 unlocked at the start, players will have to have quite the skillset to find them all.
Updated December 10th, 2021 by Russ Boswell: There are a lot of great Indie releases out there but it's hard not to keep coming back to Spelunky 2 for its cathartic brand of misery. With more and more players joining the fray, the following list concerning Spelunky 2 characters has been updated and now includes more information on the original four adventurers as well as their hidden counterparts. Players looking to collect every possible character in Spelunky 2 will definitely want to check out this updated list.
17 The Original Four
Although there are 16 total characters that players can find and unlock, they'll have access to four right off the bat. None of the original four characters need to be unlocked and, instead, are available to players as soon as they officially begin their dive into Spelunky 2. Although it's hard to ignore how iconic Guy was from the original release, the four characters presented at the start of Spelunky 2 are a breath of fresh air.
Ana Spelunky is the iconic adventurer's daughter and is searching for her mother and father, along with a rag-tag group of explorers that include the seafaring Margaret Tunnel, the artistic Colin Northward, and the enigmatic Roffy D. Sloth.
16 Alto Singh
A returning character from the first game, Alto Singh and his red turban will be a familiar sight to fans of the original roguelite. He will also likely be the first new characters players come across. The game's first area, Dwelling, gives players a fair challenge and lets them know what they're in for with this world. However, new players should find they're able to reach the 4th and final level within a handful of tries.
There, they will come face to face with Quillback, a Caveman leader with a rolling attack that can destroy walls and kill players in one hit. Successfully out-maneuver him (or blow him to bits), and players will find a coffin in the lower section of the level, where Alto Singh will be unlocked.
15 Liz Mutton
Another returning character, finding Liz requires some skill and a healthy dose of luck. Upon beating Quillback and completing the Dwelling area, players will have a choice of where to go next. Take the exit to the right, and players will travel to Volcana. Take the left exit, and head to the Jungle to find Liz.
The Jungle environment will be most familiar to players of the first game; however, it is far more hostile. With boomerang, shield and even curse-wielding cavemen to content with, staying alive is quite the challenge. However, it is in this area where the coffin containing Liz can be found. It can appear anywhere in any Jungle level.
14 Nekka The Eagle
Nekka The Eagle is what would happen if Tarzan were five thousand percent more terrifying to look at. With soul-less white eyes and the skull of some fearsome creature on their head, the fact that Nekka is an ally, not an enemy, is a miracle.
Finding them isn't easy, though, as it requires entering the Black Market. This can technically be done at random, but the easiest method is to get the Udjat Eye in Dwelling. This item will alert players when they get close to the hidden entrance. Once in there, Nekka's coffin is on the top level.
13 LISE
An impressive upgrade on the first game's robot character, LISE is a sweet and playful automaton. Her description says she's "designed to explore and enjoy herself" so having her around is sure to be a fun time.
Finding her requires a similar method to finding Liz. This time, players must take the path to the right after defeating Quillback to enter Volcana. There are less dangerous enemies in Volcana; however, players must contend with lava, which will instantly kill any who touch it. LISE's coffin can spawn in any Volcana level.
12 Coco von Diamond
Described as a fashion designer who is currently "on vacation", Coco is a bit of an odd character. She's definitely a no-nonsense type, and yet she has her pet lemur clinging to her head at all times. It's unclear exactly what kind of 'vacation' Coco is on, as she's found herself trapped in a coffin inside Vlad's Castle.
Like the Black Market, players will need to have got the Udjat Eye from Dwelling. At the top of one of the levels in Volcana, a massive drill will spawn. Use the Udjat Eye to activate it and players will be taken below the level's exit into Vlad's Castle. It is a deadly area, full of Vampires and Vlad himself. Coffins line either side of the area. In most will be generic bodyguards, but in one, Coco will be waiting.
11 Manfred Tunnel
Known only as 'The Tunnel Man' in the original Spelunky, Manfred was a key ally in the original, digging shortcuts to each area. While Terra Tunnel has taken his shortcut-digging job in Spelunky 2, he's still out there and explores the world for himself this time.
Unlocking him requires defeating one of the original game's bosses, Olmec. Players will encounter Olmec after completing either the Jungle or Volcana. This time, the boss comes with an upgraded moveset. The first phase is the same as in the original game, and beating it allows players to go to the Tide Pool level. Olmec then enters stage two, where he floats around firing bombs. Defeating this stage unlocks the Temple of Anubis level.
However, Olmec isn't done — he will continue his attack from stage 2 at this third level. Below this third level lies a massive lake of lava with several holes just above it. To enter these, players must cause Olmec to fall into the lava and use him as a platform. The valuable Ankh can be found here, as well as the coffin for players' tunnel-digging friend.
10 Little Jay
Little Jay is a character players all have something in common with — he's a fan of Spelunky! He set out to become a famous explorer himself, and based on where his coffin is located, he's done quite well for himself.
To find Little Jay, players must defeat Olmec's first phase and enter the Tide Pool level. This level looks pretty, but that beauty is just a facade for the monsters that lurk within. Thankfully, Little Jay's coffin is guaranteed to spawn in either the first or second level of the area, so players won't have to get too far to find it.
9 Tina Flan
Tina is the wife of the original Spelunky's protagonist and mother to Spelunky 2's protagonist. Canonically, she's also the one who hit King Yama with an eggplant, which is quite the feat. Finding her in Spelunky 2 isn't quite as difficult as that, but it's close.
Tina is in the secret area known as Abzu. At the bottom of Tide Pool's third level, there is a massive pool of lava. A sub-area will allow players to get underneath it and pick up a Golden Idol, which will cause the lava to cave in on top of them. To reach Abzu, players must survive this lava. There are a couple of ways to do it, but the simplest is to collect the Ankh is Olmec's Lair to respawn at the top of the level.
The boss Kingu resides in Abzu, but players who just want to unlock Tina can ignore them. Instead, dive into the water below the entrance. A short way down, players will find a platform with Tina's coffin on it.
8 Valerie Crump
Yet another returning character, Valerie Crump constantly has her headphones in. She's exploring the caves of Spelunky 2 for "creative inspiration." Apparently, going for a walk in the local park wasn't cutting it.
Finding Valerie can be a bit difficult, as it requires beating Olmec's second phase and entering the Temple of Anubis area, which is incredibly hostile, even by Spelunky's standards. Make it to the second level of this area, though, and Valerie's coffin will be waiting to be opened.