Some secrets are too good to leave in plain sight. From hidden messages to unusual surprises, video game Easter eggs reward curiosity and creativity. Join us as we uncover some of the most unforgettable secrets developers have hidden away for those willing to look a little closer.
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What is a Video Game Easter Egg?
Have you ever spent hours exploring every corner of your favorite video game, deciphering cryptic clues, and encountering surprises like mysterious rooms, hidden messages, or hilarious references? Then you’ve discovered an Easter Egg: a secret message, image, or feature that developers have hidden for highly attentive players to find.
The Origin of Video Game Easter Eggs
The concept of Easter eggs in games goes back to the early days of pixels and joysticks. Around 1979, Atari’s Adventure was a trailblazer with a secret message from its creator, Warren Robinett. Feeling unrecognized for his work, Robinett cleverly embedded his signature into the game, setting the stage for future developers.
So why do developers hide these gems? For some, like Warren Robinett, it’s a way to make themselves memorable. He risked everything to put his name on the game he programmed. For others, like the creators of Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, it’s a playful nod to players that says, “We see you.”
From unlocking secret levels to stumbling upon inside jokes, Easter eggs add layers of intrigue to the gaming experience. More than that, they forge a bond between creators and players, like a silent dialogue.
Our Top 12 Video Game Easter Eggs
❗️ Warning: Spoilers ahead!
Dead Space’s Chapter Titles
Many gamers probably know this first Easter Egg, but it still sends chills down our spines. The horror classic Dead Space puts you in the shoes of Isaac Clarke, who embarks on a harrowing journey to uncover the truth behind the haunted spaceship Ishimura. As you navigate its terrifying corridors, Isaac’s girlfriend Nicole is urging you forward on his quest.
In a chilling twist, we discover that Nicole has died before the events of the game, and Isaac has been hallucinating her all along. However, if you paid close attention, you might have noticed this earlier. By piecing together the first letter of each of the game’s 13 chapters, a sinister message appears: “NICOLE IS DEAD.”
Cyberpunk 2077 meets Death Stranding
CD Projekt Red’s RPG masterpiece Cyberpunk 2077 is so packed with Easter Eggs that we struggled to pick just one. Most of you probably know that you can find Hideo Kojima, the developer of games like the Metal Gear series and Death Stranding, in the game. But did you know that you can also spot the Bridge Baby from Death Stranding?
When you start River Ward’s questline, a side mission called “The Hunt” will guide you to a medical clinic. In one of the rooms, you’ll find the creepy artificial womb with the Bridge Baby inside. We’re just glad we didn’t have to carry it all the way across Night City.
The Witcher 3 – Visiting Night City
Another one of our favorite games from the brilliant minds at CD Projekt Red is The Witcher 3. While there are some Witcher references in Cyberpunk 2077, like the new Dogtown area faction “The Barghest,” which shares a name with the green dog monsters in The Witcher, there are also hints of Cyberpunk in The Witcher 3.
Long before Cyberpunk 2077 was released, the developers included a clever Easter Egg in The Witcher 3. During a key moment in the main quest, Geralt’s adoptive daughter Ciri talks about her travels through different dimensions. She describes a world where “People there had metal in their heads, waged war from a distance, using things similar to megascopes. And there were no horses, everyone had their own flying ships instead.” This has led fans to believe that Ciri probably spent some time in Night City.
Meet Creepers in Borderlands 2
Known for its wealth of pop culture references and Easter eggs, Borderlands 2 offers a treasure trove of hidden gems to find. While some of its humor might evoke a sense of nostalgia for the time of its release, there’s one timeless reference to Minecraft.
As you explore the depths of Caustic Caverns, you’ll find a hidden cave in the northwest corner of the map. After breaking blocks that resemble Minecraft terrain, you’ll be greeted by Creepers!
Silent Hill 2’s Dog Ending
Few Easter Eggs are as iconic as the dog ending in the survival horror game Silent Hill 2. Unlocking this ending isn’t straightforward. You need to follow a specific path in the Lakeview Hotel with a special key, watch a strange videotape, and then head to the observation room on the third floor.
In this secret ending, you’ll find a reveal that is both ridiculous and very funny. Meet Mira, the mischievous Shiba Inu whose antics seem to have caused the events of Silent Hill 2. While the dog ending might seem out of place in a game known for its spooky atmosphere and psychological depth, it demonstrates the developers’ creativity and versatility.
The Legendary Cow Level in Diablo 2
The Secret Cow Level in Diablo 2 (2000) is a prime example of how a joke in the gaming community can turn real. During the days of Diablo (1996), a rumor spread that clicking on a cow in Tristram a certain number of times would unlock a Secret Cow Level. It wasn’t true, but it gained enough attention that Blizzard took notice. Instead of ignoring it, they made the Cow Level real in Diablo 2.
The absurdity of fighting an army of cows led by the Cow King made this Easter egg an instant classic. The Cow Level also became a recurring joke throughout Blizzard’s games. Diablo III outright denies its existence with loading screen messages like “The Cow Level is a lie,” a nod to Portal’s famous “The cake is a lie.”
Jar Jar Binks in Carbonite in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Hardly any Star Wars character has been as divisive as Jar Jar Binks. Introduced in The Phantom Menace, the awkward Gungan quickly became one of the most mocked characters in the franchise. By 2008, when Star Wars: The Force Unleashed was released, many fans still weren’t happy with his exaggerated antics.
For those who weren’t exactly fans of Jar Jar, The Force Unleashed provided some catharsis. In one of the game’s levels, you could find a carbonite-frozen Jar Jar Binks, a nod to Han Solo’s fate in The Empire Strikes Back. The moment was a funny acknowledgment of the character’s notoriety. While there was no way to thaw him out and have him join Starkiller’s journey, many fans probably preferred it that way.
Who Wants Some Ice Cream? – Hitman: Absolution
Hitman: Absolution puts you in the shoes of the ever-cool and lethal Agent 47. But as much as 47 is known for his precision kills, the game sometimes offers an alternative.
During the “End of the Road” mission, you face off against Lenny, a rather pathetic target who isn’t much of a threat. Instead of pulling the trigger yourself, there’s a hidden way to let fate (or something supernatural) do the job for you. If you take the time to shoot down all five vultures circling in the desert, a rogue ice cream truck will suddenly appear out of nowhere and run Lenny over. The weirdest part? No one’s behind the wheel.
DOOM (2016): A Portal to the Past
When DOOM (2016) launched, it wasn’t just a reboot but a revival. id Software didn’t try to reinvent the legendary Doom Slayer; instead, they brought him back in all his demon-slaying glory. And as a special treat for longtime fans, they included a nostalgic surprise in the form of retro secret areas.
Throughout the game’s campaign, you could stumble upon hidden levers. Pulling one of these levers unlocks a door to a classic DOOM level, complete with original 1993 textures, sprites, and enemies. These retro sections serve as a direct homage to the franchise’s roots, providing a stark contrast between the game’s modern visuals and the pixelated charm of the past. In total, there are 13 classic levels to discover, offering a fun challenge and a trip down memory lane.
Indiana Jones and the Fridge Incident – Fallout: New Vegas
The Fallout series is no stranger to pop culture references, and Fallout: New Vegas delivers one of its best with a nod to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. In the movie, Indiana Jones survives a nuclear explosion by hiding in a lead-lined fridge, a scene that quickly became one of the most debated (and mocked) moments in the franchise.
The developers at Obsidian Entertainment clearly had some ideas about this infamous scene. If you have the “Wild Wasteland” perk enabled and explore the Mojave Wasteland near Goodsprings, you might come across an open refrigerator. Inside, you’ll find a skeleton wearing a fedora, eerily similar to the legendary archaeologist himself. Unlike Indy’s miraculous escape in the movie, it seems this poor soul wasn’t as lucky when the bombs of the Fallout universe dropped.
Split Fiction meets FromSoftware
If you’re a fan of Soulsborne games, you’ll be happy to find that Split Fiction features some of the best homages to FromSoftware’s iconic titles.
Elden Ring, one of FromSoftware’s most successful games, introduced you to the Roundtable Hold. In this central hub, Tarnished Warriors rest, upgrade their gear, and interact with key NPCs. In Split Fiction, during the level called The Hollow, you encounter a nearly identical round table adorned with swords.
Mio, one of the protagonists, immediately reacts to the sight by exclaiming, “Woah, is this like a safe haven?” which is a clear reference to the Roundtable Hold being a combat-free sanctuary. The setting is remarkably true to Elden Ring, featuring towering stone statues and a golden light illuminating the center of the table. Since Zoe can see the Grace, does that mean she’s Tarnished?
Another clever Soulsborne Easter egg appears in the Moon Market side story. You can find a small campfire that instantly brings to mind Dark Souls’ iconic bonfires. When Mio and Zoe sit by it, on-screen text appears that reads: “Moonfire Lit.” This is a clear homage to the well-known “Bonfire Lit” message that appears whenever you activate a resting spot in Dark Souls.
Gordon Freeman in GTA: San Andreas
Rockstar Games has a long history of hiding clever Easter eggs in their titles, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is no exception. During the Black Project mission, you must infiltrate Area 69, San Andreas’ own version of the infamous Area 51. This high-security facility is filled with sci-fi vibes, experimental tech, and, of course, one of the most memorable rewards in the entire series—the jetpack.
But if you take a moment to explore the base’s inner rooms, you’ll notice something familiar: a crowbar resting on a table in one of the labs. This isn’t a random piece of equipment but a direct reference to Half-Life‘s protagonist, Gordon Freeman, whose signature weapon is a trusty crowbar. The resemblance between the interior of Area 69 and the Black Mesa Research Facility from Half-Life only deepens the connection.
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