Easter eggs in video games have become a staple in the industry, and for good reason. They add an extra layer of mystery and excitement to the gaming experience, and they’re a way for developers to leave their mark on the world. But what exactly are Easter eggs? They’re hidden messages, references, or in-jokes that are placed in the game for players to discover. And let me tell you, some of these Easter eggs are so well-hidden that it’s a miracle they were ever found! But fear not, dear reader, for I have scoured the internet, and put together a list of the 10 most famous Easter eggs from video games. So grab a controller, or a keyboard, or whatever device you use to play games, and get ready for a journey through the hidden corners of the gaming world. And who knows, you might even learn a thing or two about the developers behind your favorite games.
- “The Cake is a Lie” – Portal: This iconic phrase, scrawled on a wall in the game, became a meme and a symbol for unfulfilled promises. It’s a reference to the character GLaDOS promising the player character a cake as a reward for completing the game’s challenges, only to reveal that there is no cake.
- “Aerith’s Death” – Final Fantasy VII: In this classic RPG, players were shocked and saddened when beloved character Aerith was killed off unexpectedly. Her death has since become one of the most memorable moments in video game history.
- “The Ghost in the Machine” – Deus Ex: Players who ventured into the game’s mainframe computer could find an eerie message left by the game’s developer, Warren Spector, reading “You shouldn’t be able to read this.”
- “The Legend of Zelda’s Second Quest” – The Legend of Zelda: Upon completing the original game, players were given the option to play through it again with different levels and a harder difficulty, complete with a surprise message from the developer saying “Well, you’ve really done it this time!”
- “The Undead Horse” – Red Dead Redemption: In this open-world western game, players can find an undead horse roaming the game’s vast landscape. It’s an eerie and unexpected sight, and a nod to the game’s developer’s love of horror movies.
- “The Infinite Ammo Code” – Doom: Typing “IDDQD” during gameplay would give the player character infinite ammo, a nod to the game developer’s love of cheat codes and the game’s own fast-paced action.
- “The Cow Level” – Diablo II: This secret level, accessible by clicking on “Westmarch” on the map and then clicking on a specific cow, was full of powerful enemies and loot. It was a humorous nod to the popular internet meme “There’s a cow level” that had circulated before the game’s release.
- “The Konami Code” – Various Konami Games: Typing in the code “up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start” on the title screen of various Konami games, such as Contra and Gradius, would give players extra lives or other bonuses.
- “The Easter Egg Hunter” – Grand Theft Auto V: In this open-world game, players can find a character named “Easter Egg Hunter” who is on a mission to find all the game’s Easter eggs. It’s a nod to the game’s dedicated fanbase and their love of hunting for secrets.
- “The Secret Cow Level” – World of Warcraft: Similar to the cow level in Diablo II, players in World of Warcraft could access a secret level by talking to a specific NPC and clicking on a cow multiple times. It was a nod to the game’s developer’s love of in-jokes and references to other games.
Easter eggs are a fun way for game developers to leave their mark on the world, and these are just a few of the most memorable and entertaining examples. They can range from the serious to the silly, but they always add an extra layer of enjoyment to the gaming experience.
