The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth - A Guide to Unlocking Secret Items

In the rogue-like video game The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, players explore a series of dungeons filled with bizarre treasures that change Isaac’s form and abilities. Among the vast array of items available, some are classified as "secret items." These items often offer game-changing abilities and effects, and unlocking them can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. This guide provides detailed information on how to unveil these powerful tools, with each section dedicated to a specific item.

1. The Lost Character

Unlocking The Lost, a ghost-like character with unique abilities is perhaps one of the most intriguing challenges in Rebirth. Follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Start by dying in a Mulliboom in the Basement or Cellar as Isaac.
  • Step 2: In the next run, die to your own bombs in the Caves or Catacombs as Magdalene.
  • Step 3: In a subsequent run, let Mom defeat you in the Depths or Necropolis as Judas.
  • Step 4: Lastly, die to Satan in Sheol as Azazel.

Performing these actions in each specified manner without making any mistakes unlocks The Lost. This character comes with no health and cannot gain health through any means, which makes playing as him exceptionally challenging but rewarding.

2. Godhead

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

Godhead is one of the strongest items, giving Isaac homing tears along with a significant damage multiplier. Unlocking Godhead involves:

  • Unlock The Lost: First, ensure that you have The Lost character unlocked.
  • Complete Hard Mode: With The Lost, beat all end-bosses in hard mode, including Mom’s Heart, Isaac, ??? (Blue Baby), Satan, The Lamb, and Ultra Greed.

Upon completion, Godhead will appear in the Angel Room pool, enhancing your potential for a victorious run significantly.

3. Real Platinum God Achievement

This is the ultimate achievement in The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, requiring players to unlock and collect every item in the game, along with beating all challenges. Here are the major requirements:

  • Unlock All Items: Play repeatedly to discover and unlock every item.
  • Complete All Challenges: Challenges propose unique conditions and restrictions. Completing them unlocks new items and runes.
  • Beat The Game With Every Character: Each character brings a different play style and special conditions for beating the game.

Upon accomplishing all these tasks, the Real Platinum God achievement will be yours, along with the immense satisfaction that comes from completing one of the game’s most arduous tasks.

4. D100

The D100 is a dice item that rerolls pickups, items, and all character stats. Unlocking the D100 entails:

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

  • Unlock The Lost: You must have The Lost character unlocked.
  • Achieve "The Lost" Post-it Note: Complete all marks on hard mode with The Lost, including boss rush and defeating The Lamb without dying.

The D100 not only offers a high-risk, high-reward gameplay mechanic but also provides endless replayability thanks to its transformative capabilities.

5. Mega Blast

Mega Blast is arguably the most powerful active item in the game, allowing Isaac to unleash a massive beam of light similar to the one used by Mega Satan. To unlock this devastating item:

  • Beat Mega Satan: Defeat Mega Satan with every character in the game.

While challenging, accomplishing this unlocks the formidable Mega Blast, capable of clearing entire rooms in seconds and greatly simplifying your path through the dungeons.

Final Thoughts

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth offers a vast world teeming with secrets waiting to be uncovered. Unlocking these secret items requires dedication, strategic planning, and often a bit of luck. With the insights provided in this guide, you're now well-equipped to start your journey toward mastering one of the most intriguing and complex video games in the indie gaming scene. Remember to maintain persistence and experiment with different strategies to optimize your chances of success. Happy gaming!

Frequently Asked Questions

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

Can you unlock all items in single-player mode?

Yes, all items, including secret ones, can be unlocked in single-player mode. Multiplayer or cooperative play is not required for any unlocks in The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth.

What is the hardest item to unlock in the game?

Many players consider Godhead, which requires a complete hard mode playthrough with The Lost, to be one of the hardest items to unlock due to the difficulty of playing with The Lost.

Is there a way to track progress towards unlocking items?

Yes, players can track their progress by looking at the Post-it Note on the character select screen, which shows what bosses have been beaten with which characters and on what difficulty.

Does unlocking secret items affect game performance?

No, unlocking items does not affect the game's performance. However, the use of some high-effect items like Mega Blast can temporarily decrease frame rates on some older hardware due to their intense visual effects.