Video game Easter eggs are hidden references to other games, movies, TV shows, books, or real-world people and places. They can be anything from a small nod to a beloved character to a fully playable homage to another game.
Easter eggs are a fun way for developers to show off their creativity and pay tribute to the things that have inspired them. They can also be a great way to reward players for paying attention and exploring the world around them.
Here is a list of some of the best video game Easter eggs of all time:
Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64):
In Super Mario 64, if you enter the code L, R, Start, Z, Up, Down, Up, Down, Left, Right, A, and B at the title screen, you will unlock a hidden level called Luigi’s Mansion.
Grand Theft Auto V (PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC):
In Grand Theft Auto V, if you find and collect all 27 Epsilon Tracts, you will be invited to the Epsilon Program compound. There, you can meet the leader of the cult, Cris Formage, who is a clear parody of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PlayStation 2):
In Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, if you shoot a certain tree in the forest, a cardboard box will fall out. This is a reference to the fact that Snake can hide in cardboard boxes throughout the game.
Halo 3 (Xbox 360):
In Halo 3, if you find and destroy all 12 skulls in the campaign, you will unlock the skull mode, which makes the game much more difficult. One of the skulls, the IWHBYD skull, replaces all of the game’s music with the theme song from the TV show “The Simpsons.”
Borderlands 2 (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360):
In Borderlands 2, if you find a certain cave in the Caustic Caverns, you will find a group of Creeper enemies from Minecraft. You can kill the Creepers to get loot, including a unique Minecraft-themed weapon.
These are just a few of the many great video game Easter eggs out there. If you are a fan of video games, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Easter eggs next time you are playing. You never know what you might find.
Here are some other great video game Easter eggs to look out for:
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch):
In Breath of the Wild, if you climb to the top of Mount Hylia and look north, you will see a Korok sitting on a cloud. This is a reference to the Korok seeds that are hidden throughout the world of Hyrule.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (PlayStation 4):
In Uncharted 4, if you find and collect all of the Nathan Drake Journals, you will unlock a secret scene in the credits.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC):
In Red Dead Redemption 2, if you travel to the town of Van Horn and find a certain building, you can enter a secret room that contains a UFO.
The Last of Us (PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4):
In The Last of Us, if you find and collect all of the Firefly Pendants, you will unlock a special message from the game’s developers.
Horizon Zero Dawn (PlayStation 4, PC):
In Horizon Zero Dawn, if you travel to the town of Meridian and find a certain building, you can enter a secret room that contains a model of the Death Star from Star Wars.
I hope this list helps you discover some new and amazing video game Easter eggs to enjoy.