Best Tributes In Video Games – Investment Policy

Summary

Video games pay heartwarming tributes to other games and beloved figures, showing mutual respect.
From Metal Gear Solid acknowledging Grand Theft Auto to World of Warcraft honoring Robin Williams.
Tributes in games range from in-game references to charitable initiatives, demonstrating care and thoughtfulness.

Over the last two decades, I’ve witnessed a remarkable transformation in the gaming world. What started as a pastime for a select few has bloomed into a global cultural phenomenon that even non-gamers can’t ignore, thanks to popular titles like Fortnite. It’s fascinating to see how games have managed to seep into everyday conversations and trends, whether people fully grasp them or not. It’s heartening when games make an effort to reciprocate this newfound appreciation, showing that they care just as much about their players as we do about the games themselves.

Video game homages often take shape as nods to cherished players or acknowledgements of other games, including rival titles. Regardless, such gestures are consistently touching to see. Let’s explore some outstanding examples of in-game tributes:

1. A tribute to Pac-Man in Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary: To celebrate the quarter-century milestone of Pac-Man, Nintendo included a special level in Super Mario Bros. that was an exact replica of the classic maze from Pac-Man. Players even controlled Mario as Pac-Man, complete with the iconic power pellet effect!

2. The ‘Stanley Parable’ Easter egg in Half-Life 2: In a hidden room within Half-Life 2, developer Valve hid an homage to The Stanley Parable, another game created by one of their former employees. A poster featuring the main character from The Stanley Parable was found among the clutter, delighting fans who discovered it!

3. A salute to Donkey Kong in Super Smash Bros.: As a nod to the arcade classic Donkey Kong, which marked Nintendo’s first foray into the video game industry, the titular ape made an appearance as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Series. His moveset included many references to his original game, allowing fans to relive the fun of Donkey Kong through this new medium!

4. The ‘Fez’ level in Portal 2: To acknowledge the indie hit Fez, developer Valve created a secret level in Portal 2 that mimicked the look and feel of the original game. Fans who managed to find the hidden entrance could enjoy exploring a portal-filled world inspired by Fez!

MGS 3: Snake Eater Acknowledges Grand Theft Auto

A Passing Of The Torch?

At one point, the Metal Gear Solid franchise held the limelight in the gaming world. Remarkably, just as Metal Gear Solid fueled and was fueled by the initial success of the PlayStation 1, Grand Theft Auto stepped into the scene. Originally a modest gaming series, Grand Theft Auto leveraged the more powerful PS2 to soar into global popularity. Confronted with such immense competition, Hideo Kojima chose to respond gracefully rather than feel threatened.

In one of the trailers for Metal Gear Solid 3, viewers might notice a scene where the character Snake attempts to steal a vehicle from a guard. When this happens, Snake humorously comments, “What is this? Another Grand Theft Auto?” and “This isn’t Vice City.” These remarks are intended to suggest a connection between Metal Gear Sold 3 and the popular Grand Theft Auto series. Afterwards, Snake decides to let the guard go, which could be interpreted as a nod to the idea that by this point, Grand Theft Auto had already established itself as a dominant force in the gaming industry.

Morrowind Pays Tribute To Fallen Adventurers In Game

Too Late To Play The Game, Not Too Late To Be Remembered

In a notable turn of events, the creation process for The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind was exceptionally lengthy. Yet, fortunately, the final product was nothing short of spectacular. Unfortunately, some dedicated enthusiasts did not live to witness this masterpiece, as they perished prior to its release.

To honor and potentially express remorse, developers at Bethesda thoughtfully constructed memorials in remembrance of two loyal forum members who tragically passed away prior to the game’s release. These memorials feature urns containing their ashes and are accessible within the game for perpetuity, allowing anyone who owns the game to pay their respects indefinitely.

The Witcher 2: Assassins Of Kings Pays Tribute To Assassin’s Creed

Assassin Recognizes Assassin

Since the initial game in the franchise, the Assassin’s Creed series has become famous for a distinctive action: leaping from an extraordinarily high tower, with the assassin protagonist always managing to land on a pile of hay and emerging unscathed. While The Witcher 3 surpasses its predecessors in all other aspects, The Witcher 2 takes the lead here by incorporating a nod to the Assassin’s Creed series.

At one amusing instance, Geralt will stumble upon a hay cart carrying the corpse of a character dressed like an assassin from another series. It appears that even in the world of The Witcher, there’s a semblance of reality and physics, unlike some other fantasy series.

Star Trek Online Has a Leonard Nimoy Statue

Prosper Forever

Despite never holding the leading role in the Star Trek series, Spock has become the most enduring character in its history. This is largely due to the profound impact he had on fans of the show, but also because of the esteemed persona of Leonard Nimoy, who played him. Nimoy was a cherished figure within the Star Trek community and the wider entertainment industry. When he passed away in 2015, Star Trek Online swiftly designed an in-game statue of Spock that all players could visit as a tribute to the iconic character and the beloved actor who brought him to life.

Without a doubt, beneath the statue, visitors can see the famous quote from Spock: “Live Long and Prosper.” Given the TV series context, such a tribute seems particularly fitting, even surpassing what a real-life statue might offer.

Mechwarrior Online Does A Powerful Tribute To A Deceased Fan

Helping Fight A More Important Battle

In current online and even standalone games, microtransactions are often criticized, but improvements can be made that benefit all parties. For instance, when Mechwarrior Online player Sarah Jenner passed away from cancer in 2013, the developers at Piranha Games chose to honor her memory in a heartfelt and constructive manner.

A unique Mech was designed based on Sarah’s specifications and sold for $10 to gamers. All the earnings from these sales were donated to the Canadian Cancer Society, ultimately raising more than $100,000 through this initiative.

World Of Warcraft’s Robin Williams’ Island

Out Of This World (Of Warcraft)

In the realm of World of Warcraft, fan tributes are common, but none can surpass the heartfelt homage by Blizzard Entertainment for the late Robin Williams. Adored by many due to his exceptional acting talent and passion for his craft, Williams touched the lives of countless individuals who encountered his work. In response to a player petition, Blizzard paid an extraordinary tribute in their game.

In the expansion known as Warlords of Draenor, developers incorporated numerous tributes to the works of the late Robin Williams. These references span across many of his iconic characters and even delve into some lesser-known roles from his extensive career.

Elden Ring Is A Tribute To Berserk Creator Kentaro Miura

Neverending Eclipse

For a considerable period, enthusiasts of the “Berserk” manga and “Dark Souls” game series often found Miyazaki’s work series to be remarkably akin to an unofficial continuation of the former. Visually and thematically, they shared many similarities, yet there was no definitive evidence linking them directly.

In 2022, when FromSoft finally released Elden Ring – a game that had been under production even before the passing of Kentaro Miura, creator of Berserk – it was then that fans received their long-awaited confirmation. This game is adorned with Easter eggs, but the most touching one undoubtedly pays homage to the fallen members of Berserk’s original Hawk squad, symbolized by a graveyard of swords.

2025-09-04 03:37