Top 10 Video Game Easter Eggs of Other Video Games

Our first entry pays homage to the series credited with popularising survival horror, Resident Evil. In the food court of the Willamette Parkview Mall is a sandwich shop shut down by the zombie occupation. The name of this establishment is Jill’s Sandwiches, a reference to the infamously poorly acted line from the first Resident Evil. A nice, subtle easter eggs for fans that isn’t entirely obvious to all as it plays on a protagonist's name rather than calling out the series specifically.

Watchdog’s protagonist Aiden really hates him some corporate corruption. Who’s more corrupt than Abstergo, the Templar shell company of the Assassin's Creed franchise? In this optional convoy takedown mission, Aiden can track down CCO Olivier Garneau from Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag in a SUV with armed guards. A shootout ensues and Aiden has to do some assassinating of his own, leaving the boss as an example for all corrupt business people, lying on the freeway.

Another easter egg of the popular assassin's creed franchise finds its an one of its assassin’s in less than stellar condition. Players can stumble across a wagon full of hay with an assassin lying facedown in the back. An often discussed topic of how the assassins survive massive leaps simply by landing in hay is addressed by Geralt who comments on the assassin’s failure. This easter egg earns extra points for taking a shot at the franchise while it was at the height of its popularity.

What’s even better than a poster or image of another game appearing in a new title? Well how about an entire level from another game appearing in a new title. In a secret level called MAP31 in the sequel to the iconic Doom, players can venture through a faithful recreation of the opening stage of the first person shooter Wolfenstein 3D. An amazing easteregg for fans of both series this one certainly stands out for it’s unique ideas – even if the dogs have no been replaced with demons.

Ever wonder what Nintendo’s moustached mascot sees as he barrels through level after level of the mushroom kingdom? This hidden gem in the recent Dying Light has our hero jumping and sliding through a Mario inspired parkour course complete with zombies …dressed in bizzare turnip outfits. Though the closest Mario ever came to the undead was Drybones, we’ll let it slide for the sheer novelty of putting ourselves in the plumbers boots. World 1-1 is recreated creatively in a hidden level, but this game also has references to games like Destiny and The Last of Us, showing its really out to honour the greats.

There’s a long standing tradition of hiding full versions of arcade classics in newer games. In the first Black Ops game, players can play the text adventure title Zork. The twist with this entry is that rather than having to discover it in a level of the game it's accessible from the start menu. Rocking Alex Mason back and forth until breaks free of his bonds, you can make your way to a computer terminal. On this terminal you can access a full playable copy of Zork.

When Bayonetta 2 came to the Wii U, she also came with a series of unlockable outfits of other Nintendo characters, outfits that allowed her to dress up like Link, Samus or Princess Peach. However the outfit that makes her resemble Star Fox’s Fox McCloud has an even bigger secret. In Chapter 16: Sovereign Power, the stage starts off with Bayonetta on top of a Fighter Jet that the player controls. But if she’s wearing Fox’s outfit that Jet becomes an Arwing, and its not just for show either, as it even has its twin lasers, smart bombs, sound effects, and yes Barrel Rolls. Kinda of appropriate since Platinum games also developed Star Fox Zero.

In a franchise more known for its destruction than its construction, it’s rather surprising that Borderlands 2 references the creative landmark title Minecraft. Anyone who has played Minecraft knows that once the sun goes down you need to be on your toes for those pesky creepers. In the caustic caverns in the Borderlands successor, players can do battle with these same green menaces with all the firepower they possess. This area comes complete with minecraft style blocks that you can break with your hand – neat-o!

In Blizzard’s latest release, the MOBA Heroes of the Storm, players can find a mini game inspired by one of Nintendo’s most iconic titles: Duck Hunt. By choosing Kharazim, the Diablo 3 Monk, and then clicking ion the 2nd tree to the right of him, players will notice a flock of ducks will be flushed out of the brush. If you manage to hit the ducks with your cursor, it plummets to the ground in the vain of Duck Hunt and another flies out. Of course, if you miss, a pesky little treasure goblin will laugh in your face, thus taking the roll of “that friggin dog” we all love to hate.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions:

Samus
“Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars” (1996)

Final Fantasy XVII
“Deus Ex: Human Revolution” (2011)

Baby Metroid
“Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty” (2010)

Mario Mask
“Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” (2000)

Notched Pickaxe
“The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” (2011)

The endings of this nonlinear title from 2011 deserve a list of their own. However, one of the more amusing fake endings has players moving thru sections inspired by Minecraft and Portal. A true gamers game, these references were both a huge hit with fans and are both rife with the signature dry humour of the story. To get to this section, you have to do the exact opposite of what the narrator tells you, to the point where he gets so frustrated that he basically decides that you don’t want to play this game anymore, and loads up Minecraft, followed by Portal.

Do you agree with our list? What do you think is the best easter egg of another game? For more hidden top tens, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.