
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!