10 Best Video Game Easter Eggs Of All Time

Who doesn’t love hidden secrets in their games? Within the expansive realm of video gaming, Easter eggs stand as captivating enigmas, elevating the player’s experience. From ridiculous alternative endings to stumbling upon game developers seamlessly integrated into the gaming world, there is something for everyone. The joy of discovering subtle tributes to other gaming classics adds an extra layer of thrill to the gameplay experience.

What makes an Easter egg truly great and rewarding? It’s the element of surprise, a twist that engages or amuses, leaving players with a sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s a nonsensical cameo or a quirky reference, the reward lies not just in finding it, but in the sheer delight of the unexpected.

!!!SPOILER ALERT: This list contains spoilers on the endings of the following games: Dead Space and Silent Hill 2!!!

10 The Mount Chiliad UFO Mystery

Grand Theft Auto 5

How To Find This Easter Egg?

• Find the map inside the cable car station.
• Complete the game and return to Mount Chiliad at night to see the UFO.

Commencing as a mere Easter egg, the Mount Chiliad Mystery in Grand Theft Auto V has turned into a fully-fledged myth. This intricate conspiracy started with players navigating the game’s map in search of an elusive Jetpack. Gaining momentum within the gaming community, it encourages players to tirelessly explore the mountain, decode cryptic messages, and chase enigmatic clues.

It all started with a map’s discovery inside the cable car station, portraying what seems to be a mountain. Upon scaling the peak, a platform urges you to return post-game completion. If you heed the call, return at night during stormy weather, and you’ll encounter a UFO. Fans speculate that there’s more to the map and mountain, possibly unlocking a jetpack. The truth remains elusive as developers remain tight-lipped, leaving the mystery unsolved.

9 Various Pop Culture References

Fallout: New Vegas

How To Find These Easter Eggs?

• Southeast of Goodsprings, you can find a fridge containing the remains of Indiana Jones.
• The Dead Money add-on includes a wine cellar with graffiti that reads “I’m not your Mummy,” a reference to Doctor Who.

Fallout: New Vegas is a treasure trove of Easter eggs, subtly nodding to popular movies and shows. Notably, the game pays homage to Doctor Who and Indiana Jones, with references seamlessly integrated into its vast wasteland. Close to Goodsprings, you can find a scene that echoes Indiana Jones’ fridge escape in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – a skeleton in a fedora inside a fridge.

The Dead Money DLC takes a Doctor Who turn, featuring enemies wearing gas masks and a graffiti nod to The Empty Child episode. Securitron robots mimic Daleks with their battle cry EXTERMINATE in combat. These playful nods, alongside references to Monty Python, Futurama, Alien, and Frank Sinatra, showcase the game’s rich tapestry of hidden gems, leaving players wondering if they’ve uncovered them all in this expansive wasteland.

8 Super Mario Bros. References

The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time

How To Find These Easter Eggs?

• In the N64 version of the game, after meeting princess Zelda, look inside the right window to find portraits of the Mario brothers.
• In the 3DS version of the game, find paintings referencing Skyward Sword inside the Gerudo Fortress.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (still one of the best games in the Zelda series) has various Easter eggs that offer a nostalgic nod to Super Mario Bros. fans. One of the most popular references is the hidden portraits of Mario, Luigi, and Bowser that are concealed within the walls of Hyrule Castle. After catching a glimpse of Princess Zelda, players can peek through the right window to spot them.

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But that’s not all the references — the Gerudo Fortress hides Skyward Sword posters, Melon’s scarf resembles Bowser, and the characters of Talon and Ingo bear a striking resemblance to the Mario brothers. It should be noted, however, that some of these eggs may not appear in different versions of the game.

7 Hidden Message In Chapter Names

Dead Space

How To Find This Easter Egg?

• Unlock all 12 chapters.
• Read the first letter of each chapter to get the secret message: Nicole is dead.

In Dead Space, a plethora of Easter eggs awaits players, but none rival the impact of the hidden message concealed in plain sight. Upon completing all 12 chapters, attentive players discover a chilling revelation: the first letter of each chapter title spells out Nicole is Dead. This cleverly hidden message addresses the lingering question that haunts you throughout the game: the fate of Nicole.

Additionally, Dead Space is teeming with other surprises, including random developer cameos in in-game advertisements, nods to Dead Space 2, hidden audio logs, and even a secret alternate ending.

6 Hidden Minecraft Area

Borderlands 2

How To Find This Easter Egg?

• Complete Chapter 9, and head to the Caustic Caverns.
• Inside the Guardian Ruins, you will find a secret section filled with Creepers.

Borderlands 2, renowned for its irreverent humor, surprised players with a hidden Minecraft-themed area, exemplifying the game’s penchant for unexpected crossovers. Venturing into the Caustic Caverns, explorers stumble upon a blocky landscape resembling Minecraft, complete with pixelated textures and iconic cubes. As if the pixelated nostalgia isn’t enough, the area also introduces Minecraft’s explosive Creeper enemies.

This unexpected hidden room injects a playful and humorous element into the game, delighting players with the sheer unpredictability of Borderlands’ titles. To add to the fun, you can also mine these blocks to acquire a Minecraft skin.

5 Game Of Thrones References

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

How To Find These Easter Eggs?

• Complete the quest Fists of Fury: Toussaint, and meet Brigitte, a reference to Brienne of Tarth.
• Travel to one of the Skellige islands and find the corpse of a dwarf, referencing Tyrion Lannister.

The Witcher 3, known for its rich narrative, weaves in clever Easter eggs, including nods to the acclaimed series Game of Thrones. In the quest Fists of Fury, encountering a skilled fighter concealing their identity, only to reveal a woman, mirrors Brienne of Tarth’s storyline.

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Fans also appreciate the subtle reference to Tyrion Lannister; his dwarf corpse lies in a prison, a poignant homage. Further enhancing the crossover, players can wield Jon Snow’s iconic sword, Longclaw, adding an extra layer of familiarity for enthusiasts of both fantasy universes within this expansive and intricately crafted game.

4 Psycho Mantis Reads Your Save Data

Metal Gear Solid

How To Find This Easter Egg?

• Continue the main story and reunite with Meryl.
• Psycho Mantis will surprise you and demonstrate his powers.

The encounter with Psycho Mantis in Metal Gear Solid is considered a groundbreaking and immersive Easter egg that demonstrates the ingenuity of Hideo Kojima. In this memorable sequence, Psycho Mantis takes control of Meryl, forcing players to confront her. As you knock her out, Mantis displays his telekinetic powers by reading your save data and even seizing control of your controller, causing vibrations.

To outsmart him, you must unhook the controller from the first port and attach it to the second, thus thwarting Mantis’s mind-reading abilities. When reading your data, Mantis recognizes specific titles, commenting on preferences for action, role-playing games, or Konami titles. This innovative and interactive encounter not only challenges players to think creatively but also remains a landmark moment in gaming history for its unique blend of narrative and player engagement.

3 Hideo Kojima Cameo

Cyberpunk 2077

How To Find This Easter Egg?

• Start the mission The Heist.
• Enter the hotel’s bar and approach the group sitting on a round sofa.

Cyberpunk 2077 is a treasure trove of Easter eggs, and the fans’ favorite has to be the cameo of Hideo Kojima. You can discover him casually seated on a sofa at a hotel’s bar, surrounded by an intrigued audience. Engaging with him allows for a brief yet fascinating dialogue about his work. The nod doesn’t stop there; his in-game name, Oshima, is a clever reference to Kojima’s admiration for the renowned film director Nagisa Oshima.

Cyberpunk 2077 does not stop there with its references; it also pays homage to Death Stranding, with the appearance of the iconic BB Pod hidden within a clinic. Beyond Kojima-centric Easter eggs, you can find various surprises, from Sailor Moon poses in the photo mode and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ song lyrics etched as tattoos on various characters.

2 The Infamous Dog Ending

Silent Hill 2

How To Find This Easter Egg?

• You have to start a new game after completion.
• Find a key hidden inside a doghouse, and unlock Lakeview Hotel’s observation room.

Team Silent is known for adding random Easter eggs to their games, and the secret ending of Silent Hill 2 is still one being talked about today. This Dog Ending has become a legendary meme in gaming culture. To unlock it, players must find a key hidden in a doghouse in Rosewater Park, which leads to the observation room in the Lakeview Hotel.

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Once opened, players trigger a cutscene that reveals a shiba inu wearing headphones as the mastermind behind the game’s eerie events. This hidden ending and its hilarious soundtrack add a humorous twist to the game’s intense horror elements and have become a testament to the lasting impact of well-crafted Easter eggs in the gaming community.

1 Stan Lee’s Cameo & Much More

Marvel’s Spider-Man

How To Find This Easter Egg?

• Complete the Don’t Touch The Art mission and watch the final cutscene.
• Other Easter eggs can be found all around the map.

In Marvel’s Spider-Man, Stan Lee’s poignant cameo holds special significance as it marks his final voice-acting appearance before his passing. This cameo is seamlessly woven into the narrative, appearing in the mission Don’t Touch The Art. After completing it, players witness a heartwarming scene where Peter and Mary Jane’s date is interrupted, leading to Mary being approached by the restaurant’s cook — revealed as Stan Lee.

His character warmly compliments the couple, expressing how they were always his favorites. This bittersweet moment not only immortalizes Stan Lee in the game but adds a layer of emotional resonance, knowing it was his last voice-acted contribution. Beyond this touching encounter, Marvel’s Spider-Man is a treasure trove of Easter eggs, featuring nods to Venom, other Marvel Universe characters, Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum, Daredevil’s gym, and even a trophy-worthy climb up Avengers Tower.

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