Video Game
Cameos and References
Database

Video Game Cameos & References (A)

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A Boy and His Blob (NES)

Programmers: Some of the programmer's names are written on the wall of the subway, including Dave (creator David Crane), Jess (graphics designer Jesse Kapili), and Rick ("tech wizard" Rick Booth).
Status: TRUE: These screenshots of the subway's wall and the list of programers prove it. Note the '89 on the wall, too, the year the game was made: (Subway Screenshot) (Credits Screenshot)

Movie (Indiana Jones): The title music sounds similar to the Indiana Jones theme and the title itself is written in the same font that the titles for all three Indiana Jones movies were written in. (Credit: Kairobi King)
Status: TRUE: As seen in this (Screenshot), the title does use the Indiana Jones-style font. The first few notes of the title theme, as heard in this (Midi) are the same as the Indiana Jones theme.

ActRaiser (SNES)

Music (20th Century FOX): The first part of the ending credits theme is nearly identical to the "20th Century FOX" fanfare.
Status: TRUE: Here is a (Midi) of the ActRaiser ending theme, and a (Midi) of the "20th Century FOX" fanfare. The first part of the ActRaiser midi is nearly identical to the FOX midi.

Real Place (Angkor Wat): The temple that appears in Marahna is based on Angkor Wat. This is also one of the many locales used in Illusion of Gaia. (Credit: James FP)
Status: TRUE: Here is a (screenshot) of the ActRaiser temple, and a (screenshot) of the Angkor Wat temple as it appears in Illusion of Gaia's opening sequence. Please note that this does not count as a cameo for Illusion of Gaia because that game takes place in the real world.

Movie (Star Wars): The music for the Great Tree in Northwall sounds like the Attack Run music in Star Wars. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: TRUE: Some of the music in ActRaiser is very reminiscent of music from Star Wars, especially some parts in the ending theme (refer to the midi above). It's similar enough that I don't think it's coincidence.

ActRaiser 2 (SNES)

Cross-Series/Programmers: In many of Enix's games, the "Phoenix" is the ultimate power, which is not only a cameo in itself because it appears in so many different games, but also a reference to Enix, the games' creator, since the last four letters of "Phoenix" are "Enix". In ActRaiser 2, one of your strongest magic attacks is a diving Phoenix move.
Status: TRUE: Here is a (screenshot) of the diving Phoenix in action. The fact that "Phoenix" and "Enix" are so similar cannot be coincidence.

Movie (Aliens): The ants in Demon's Cave have elongated heads like the Alien in the Alien movies. And the boss of this area looks remarkably like the Alien Queen. It's even attached to a huge egg sac and eventually tears free of it.
Status: TRUE: Too strong a resemblance to be coincidence. Here are some screenshots for proof: (Alien Ant) (Queen Ant)

Adventure (Atari 2600)

Programmers: There is a secret room hidden in the game with the name of the programmer, Warren Robinett, written vertically down the screen. (Credit: Kairobi King)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Ai Cho Aniki (PCE)

Character Cameo: Benten (from the original Cho Aniki game) makes a cameo appearance in the intro. (Credit: Andy Thorley)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

Art (Rembrandt): One of the bosses is a muscled version of Venus from Rembrandt's "Birth of Venus". (Credit: Andy Thorley)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) from (Masaya's Ai Cho Aniki Site) proves it.

Art (The Birth of Adam): Adam from the first Cho Aniki game turns up as a boss. He is based on Michelangelo's "The Birth of Adam" painting. (Credit: Andy Thorley)
Status: Unverified

Ai Cho Aniki 2: Seinaru Protein Densetsu (PS2)

Character Cameo: Samson (from the previous three Cho Aniki games) is one of the Protein's bodyguards. (Credit: Andy Thorley)
Status: Unverified

Mythology (Biblical/Greek): The characters Samson and Adonis are named after two historical bodybuilders. Samson was a strongman in the Bible, Adonis was the perfect man in Greek legend. (Credit: Andy Thorley)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Literature (Alice in Wonderland): Level 3 is a parody of Alice in Wonderland. The name is what gives it away (Alex in Wonderland) and the imagery in the game confirms it: caterpillars smoking pipes while reclining on mushrooms, psychotic cats and playing card enemies. Also, the final boss dresses exactly like Alice from the Disney film. (Credit: Andy Thorley)
Status: Unverified

Art (The Birth of Adam): Adam from the first two Cho Aniki games turns up as a boss. Adam from the first Cho Aniki game turns up as a boss. He is based on Michelangelo's "The Birth of Adam" painting. (Credit: Andy Thorley)
Status: Unverified

Air Fortress (NES)

Programmers: The hero's name is "Hal Bailman". He is obviously named after the company that made the game, HAL Laboratory. (Credit: ACC Kain)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it. FO's Note: I have to wonder if this is also meant to be a reference to 2001: A Space Odyssey. "Bailman" is very similar to "Bowman", and of course, there's HAL...

Ai Senshi Nicol (FC)

Cross-Series (Wai Wai World): Occasionally, Konami Man flies by onscreen as a bonus item. (Credit: Arnold, & Dire 51)
Status: TRUE: Verified by the OPCFG.

Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean (Saturn)

Movie (Various): Thanks to Working Designs' English translation, there are a lot of movie, TV, and commercial references in this game. Some quotes from movies:

  • "I'm 'a gonna git you, sucka!"
  • "May the force be with --- oops! Wrong adventure!" from Star Wars. (Screenshot)
  • Eka makes a reference to Bruce Lee when talking to the King of Gadel. (Credit: Kairobi King)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    Commercials (Various): Some quotes from commercials:

  • "It's strong enough for a man, but made for a woman." (Ladies' Secret)
  • "Finger-lickin' good!" (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
  • "It'll turn your frown upside down." (Kiddie City)
  • "I've got a headache THIS big!" (Excedrin)
  • "Somebody at the circus may have just won ten million dollars!" (Publisher's Clearinghouse) (Credit: Kairobi King & Flying Omelette)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    TV Shows (Gilligan's Island): When you talk to the sea captain he says, "Sit right back and you'll hear a tale...a tale of a fateful trip", which is from Gilligan's Island. (Credit: Kairobi King)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    Music (Wind Beneath My Wings): There's a woman in Gadel who tries to sing "Wind Beneath My Wings", but she gets the lyrics all wrong.
    Status: TRUE: Screenshots prove it: (Pic 1) (Pic 2) (Pic 3) (Pic 4)

    Movie (Ghostbusters): When the Captain tells you about the Ghost Ship and asks if you still want to set sail on his boat, you're given a "yes" or "no" choice, and the "yes" choice is "I ain't afraid of no ghost!", which is from Ghostbusters.
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    TV Shows (The Muppets): When Krishna turns Eka into a pig, Kia calls her "Miss Piggy".
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    Movie (Aliens): In Mycent, this one guy talks about seeing "Dark Jim" in the graveyard and he says, "If you see Dark Jim, it's GAME OVER, man! GAME OVER!!" That's from Aliens. (Screenshot)
    Status: TRUE: Although normally saying "Game Over" in a video game is not an Aliens reference, it is in this case because the line is delivered exactly the way the character Hudson delivered it in the movie.

    Music (I Will Always Love You): In one town there's a woman who sings the Dolly Parton song "I Will Always Love You", which was made even more famous in the movie, The Bodyguard.
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    Bizarre Coincidence? (Aliens): There are Sentry Guns in some caves, which were quite possibly inspired by the movie Aliens. Although these ones shoot arrows instead of bullets, they look very similar to the ones in the movie. (Screenshot)
    Status: Unproven: It's possible that it's just coincidence, though they do look very similar. Note that these sentry guns are only for background effect and do not actually work. Also note that the unknown man who was killed by them looks nearly identical to the main character, Pike. Creepy.

    Famous Person (Dionne Warwick): There is a reference to "Psychic Friend" Dionne Warwick.
    Status: TRUE: Screenshots prove it: (Screenshot 1) (Screenshot 2)

    Products (NyQuil): Lulu's medicine AyeQuil that she gives to Leos to cure her fever is a spoof of NyQuil. It's even mentioned that it's a green liquid.
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    Movie (A Few Good Men): At one point in the game, you're given a choice of telling the truth or not and the "not" choice says, "She can't handle the truth!", which is a spoof of the famous line from A Few Good Men. (Normally, when a line like this has become so commonplace, I wouldn't bother accepting it, but Albert Odyssey has so many other intentional cameos and references, it may as well be included.)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    Music (War): When the Birdmen and Beastmen are thinking of going to war, one of them says, "War! What is it good for?", which is from "War" by Edwin Starr, a very famous anti-war song.
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    Alex Kidd in High-Tech World (SMS)

    Cross-Series (Fantasy Zone): The stereo in Paul's room plays music from Fantasy Zone.
    Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

    Cross-Series (Space Harrier): There is a question about Space Harrier in the quiz.
    Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

    Programmers: If you clean the sign, it says, "Sega is No. 1!"
    Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

    Cross-Series (Out Run): The whole point of the game is that Alex Kidd is trying to get to the arcade to play Sega arcade games, and the ending shows him playing Out Run. (Credit: Flying Omelette)
    Status: TRUE: (www.vgmuseum.com) proves it.

    Anime (Anmitsu Hime): This game was based on a Japanese game called Anmitsu Hime, which in turn was based on an anime of the same name. Sega changed the main character (a princess) into Alex Kidd for the American release, but mostly all the other characters that appear in the game are from the Anmitsu Hime anime.
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. The official site for (Anmitsu Hime) proves it. Here's a neat (Picture) from that site that shows all the main characters. If you've played Alex Kidd in High-Tech World (or just looked at some of the screenshots here and in my review), you'll probably recognize most of them.

    Alien Soldier (Mega Drive)

    Cross-Series (Gunstar Heroes): One of the pieces of music in the game is taken from Gunstar Heroes, even though the two have nothing to do with each other. (Credit: Dire 51)
    Status: Unverified

    Alleyway (GB)

    Cross-Series (Super Mario Bros.): Mario rides the paddle that you control in this game. He jumps in at the start of the game and also appears on the boxart. (Credit: Mark Kelly)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Source: Nintendo Power.

    Cross-Series (Super Mario Bros.): Stages 16-18 are all copies of the same Mario head puzzle. (Credit: Mark Kelly)
    Status: Unverified

    Cross-Series (Super Mario Bros.): After every three stages you play in a bonus stage, and all of these are based on Mario characters and enemies: Mario (3), Koopa Troopa (6), Blooper (9), Piranha Plant (12), Bullet Bill (15), Goomba (18), Cheep Cheep (21), and Bowser (24). (Credit: Mark Kelly)
    Status: Unverified

    Cross-Series (Super Mario Bros.): When you win the final puzzle, you get a retro "Mario Bros." cartoon head on the congratulations screen. (Credit: Mark Kelly)
    Status: Unverified

    Alundra (PS1)

    Famous Person (Jay Leno): There's a character in the beginning of the game named "Jaylen" who bears a striking resemblance to Jay Leno. (Screenshot)
    Status: TRUE: It could just be coincidence, but I doubt it, considering the similarity of the names.

    Commercials (Century 21): Early in the game you can find a rundown house with a sign outside that reads "Call Centurius XXI". This is a take on "Century 21", a real estate agent. (Credit: Codie Martin)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    Alundra 2 (PS1)

    Real Place (Spain): Much of the game world seems to be based loosely on Spain. Toroledo is most certainly named after Toledo. They also have a bullfighting arena in Toroledo, although it's not the same thing as real-life bullfighting. The map even looks vaguely like Europe, complete with Italy's "boot", although the areas in the boot are still "Spanish" (like Paco village is located there.)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    Movie (Aliens): When you fight the boss of the whale, the enemies it spits out are Alien chestbursters. They are based more on the chestburster in Aliens because they have those little spindly arms to help drag themselves along. If that wasn't strange enough, when you beat the boss, it falls through the shaft in the floor, and you're given an overhead view of it falling into space (which makes no sense since you're inside a whale, not in outer space.) This is clearly a rip-off of the Alien Queen getting thrown out the airlock.
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    Movie (Aliens): In addition to the above reference, the second form of the final boss has an "Alien" mouth. There's also a part in the story where Alexia is trying to divert the attention of a huge skinny bug-like monster away from other people. This scene is very reminiscent of how Ripley diverted the attention of the Alien Queen away from Newt.
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    Movie (Raiders of the Lost Ark): There are two Raiders of the Lost Ark references: A part where Flint is running away from a giant boulder, and a part where light shines through a temple and through an object to highlight the location of something on a wall.
    Status: TRUE Verified by FO.

    Movie (Star Wars): The Star Key is a Death Star reference. When Mephisto is talking to Flint about how it's moving into position, the screen in the background looks like the one in Star Wars showing the location of the Death Star as it moves into position to blast the rebel base. Also, the mini-boss you fight right after Zeppo at the start of the game looks like a Stormtrooper. (Credit: Crawl and 1000 & Flying Omelette)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    Ancient Domains of Mystery (PC)

    Literature (Frankenstein/The Lord of the Rings): The description of the flesh golem makes it clear that it is Frankenstein's monster. The Dark Hurthling (in earlier releases they were known as Hobbits) says "My preciouss" when you talk to it. The orcs mention looking for a hurthling and you can find the Phial of Galadrial (named after Caladrial). (Credit: ShadOtterdan)
    Status: Unverified

    Animal Crossing (GCN/N64)

    Cross-Series (Various): There are playable NES games which you can find. They include Balloon Fight, Baseball, Clu Clu Land, Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong 3, Donkey Kong Jr & Math, Excitebike, Golf, Ice Climber, Legend of Zelda, Mario Bros., Pinball, Punch-Out!!, Soccer, Super Mario Bros., Tennis, Wario's Woods (Credit: Bomberguy221)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Common knowledge.

    Cross-Series (Star Fox): There is an Arwing from Star Fox which you can use as furniture. (Credit: Bomberguy221)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Source: Nintendo Database.

    Console (N64/Gamecube): There is an N64 logo and a Gamecube logo which can be used as furniture. (Credit: Bomberguy221)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Source: Nintendo Database

    Cross-Series (1080 Snowboarding): If you talk to one of the snobbish female animals about winter sports (in particular, snowboarding), they'll say they can do a 1080, but only in a video game. This is obviously a reference to the Nintendo 64 game, 1080 Snowboarding. (Credit: Bomberguy221)
    Status: Unverified

    Cross-Series (Super Mario Bros.): If you talk to one of the athletic male animals late at night, they might say, "galloping Goombas!" (Credit: Bomberguy221)
    Status: Unverified

    Cross-Series (Super Mario Bros. 2): One of the animals you can get, Wart Jr., is a reference to Wart from Super Mario Bros. 2, even though they bear no physical resemblance. (Credit: Bomberguy221)
    Status: TRUE: Verified on numerous Animal Crossing sites.

    Cross-Series (Super Mario Bros.): Two pieces of furniture in the game are the Mario and Luigi trophies, which resemble their namesakes. There are also shirts with Toad's spots, Mario's M logo, and Luigi's L logo. Finally, special codes inside Nintendo Power can give you items from the Super Mario Bros. games. (Credit: Bomberguy221)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Source: Nintendo Database.

    Literature/Cross-Series/Real Place (Various): Gulliver gives you replicas of real-life monuments and places. He even offers explanations as to why he fell overboard using references to places in other video games such as Hyrule and Toad Town. This is also a reference to Jonathan Swift's novel, Gulliver's Travels. (Credit: Bomberguy221)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Source: Nintendo Database

    Cross-Series (Super Mario Bros./The Legend of Zelda): Kapp'n makes a mention of Mario in one of his songs, and even asks your character if they had been in a Hylian prison. (Credit: Bomberguy221)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Source: Nintendo Database

    Cross-Series (Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask): Two outfits you can buy (and wear) are Kaffe's shirt and Anju's shirt, which both come from Kafei and Anju in the Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. (Credit: Bomberguy221)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Source: Nintendo Database

    Programmers: Totakeke (K.K. Slider) is based on the game's music composer, Kazumi Totaka; the man responsible for the strange "Mario Paint tune" that pops up all over the place. (Credit: Mark Kelly)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Source: Nintendo Database

    Cross-Series (Mario Paint): Request K.K. Slider play "K.K. Song" (he never gives this song at random). It's Kazumi Totaka's signature tune (the "Mario Paint tune"). (Credit: Mark Kelly)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Source: Nintendo Database

    Animaniacs (SNES/Genesis)

    Cross-Series (Gradius): There is a Vic Viper from the Gradius games hidden in one of the levels. The Animaniacs game was made by Konami, after all. (Credit: James FP)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Source: Nintendo Power.

    Anticipation (NES)

    Cross-Series (Space Invaders): One of the puzzles in this game is of a Space Invader, and it looks like the classic videogame alien ship. (Credit: Mark Kelly)
    Status: Unverified

    Aquatic Games (Genesis)

    Products (Penguin Bars): The game is sponsored by Penguin Bars (British snack food). In fact, you can play as the Penguin Bar mascot in the bonus level. (Credit: Andy Thorley)
    Status: Unverified

    Arcana (SNES)

    Cross-Series (Kirby): Kirby can be seen amongst the evil army in the intro of Arcana. Screenshot with one of the Kirbies attached for proof. (Screenshot) (Credit: Iqniz)
    Status: TRUE: Although no Kirby games yet existed at the time Arcana was released, HAL Laboratory must have already created him for use in future games, as there is no doubt in my mind that the character circled in that picture is Kirby.

    Literature (The Lord of the Rings): It seems to me that certain aspects of Arcana were inspired by The Lord of the Rings. Galneon and his army in the beginning of Arcana is a lot like Sauron and his army in the beginning of The Lord of the Rings. In both Arcana and LotR, an elf and a dwarf join the traveling party, and there is a human betrayer in both.
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Too many similarities to be coincidence.

    Arkanoid: Doh it Again (SNES)

    Cross-Series (Space Invaders): The blocks that define one of the stages are in the shape of a Space Invader. (Credit: Crawl and 1000)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    Real Place (Easter Island): Doh, himself, is an Easter Island Moai head. (Credit: Crawl and 1000)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    Art Alive (Genesis)

    Cross-Series (Sonic the Hedgehog): Sonic is a pasteable clipart object. (Credit: Michael Morrissette)
    Status: Unverified

    Astroboy Tetsu Wan Atom: Atom Heart no Himitsu (GBA)

    Cross-Series (Gunstar Heroes/Alien Soldier): There's a song from Gunstar Heroes used in a cutscene. There's also a transforming boss that is a direct reference to the "Seven Force" bosses from Alien Soldier and Gunstar Heroes. (Credit: Travis Fahs)
    Status: Unverified

    Axelay (SNES)

    Cross-Series (Life Force): The segmented dragon enemies from the Gradius and Life Force/Salamander games are on the Lava Planet level of Axelay. (Credit: James FP)
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    Cross-Series (Life Force): The Lava Planet level also has those infamous solar flares from Life Force, but we just see them from an overhead, rather than sidescrolling perspective.
    Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

    Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP2 (Genesis)

    Cross-Series (Sonic the Hedgehog): Sonic the Hedgehog can be found in Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP2 on the MegaDrive. (Credit: Richard Walledge)
    Status: TRUE: (Screenshot)

    Azure Dreams (GB)

    Cross-Series (Gradius): The Moai Familiar is probably a Gradius reference. It is also an Easter Island reference. (Moai Pic)
    Status: Unknown: Konami does put the Moai head in a lot of their games. Though whether its appearance here is truly meant to be a homage to Gradius is unclear.

    Cross-Series (Castlevania): The Medusa and Succubus Familiars might possibly be references to Castlevania. (Medusa Pic) (Succubus Pic)
    Status: Unproven: It's also unclear if these are truly meant as homages or not.

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