Magi Nation (GBC)

Programmers: The place where Tony Jones comes from is called "Tavel Gorge", which is a reference to Phillip Tavel, one of the people who created Magi Nation.
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Famous Person (Michael Jackson): Tony does a Michael Jackson impression at the party in Cald.
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Famous Person (Randy Savage/Ric Flair): The character Yaki is a reference to professional wrestler Macho Man Randy Savage because of the way he talks. He's also a reference to Ric Flair, since he keeps saying "WOOO!" more than enough times. (Credit: Crawl and 1000, Tweeter911 & Flying Omelette)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Maniac Mansion (NES/PC)

Cross-Series (Zak McKracken): In the PC version only, there is a poster referencing Zak McKracken, an earlier PC game also made by Lucasarts.
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Movie (Star Wars): There is an X-Wing model in Ed's room. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it. (The Arrow is conveniently pointing at it.)

Movie (Indiana Jones): If you use the old radio in the living room, you can hear a small piece of the Indiana Jones theme. This also happens if you have Bernard call the Meteor Police. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Music (Thin Lizzy): Dave's theme music is titled "The Boys Are Still Back" (this can be seen if you read his cassette player or in the end credits after finishing the game.) This is an obvious take on Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back". Dave's theme music even has a similar style to that song. Here is a (Midi) and a (Screenshot). Also notice the name of the artist is "Fat Patty". Thin Lizzy, Fat Patty.
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. If that isn't enough evidence for you, then I don't know what is.

Famous Person (Eddie Van Halen): The Green Tentacle's song is called "Eddie Van Tentacle", which is obviously a Van Halen reference.
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Cross-Series (Super Mario Bros.): When you play the Meteor Mess arcade game, at first you hear sound effects and "music" obviously taken from the old arcade Asteroids game. Then it plays the first five notes of the Super Mario Bros. theme. (Credit: ErniePants)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Famous Person (Jay Leno): The talk show host in the end is clearly based on Jay Leno. They both have a big chin and black hair. Even though the game was made before Jay Leno hosted the Tonight Show, he used to guest host for Johnny Carson a lot. (Credit: ErniePants)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Note: I agree that Wink Smiley is based on Jay Leno. Also consider the fact that his theme music is called, "HEEEEEEERE'S Talk Show Host!" in the end credits, a reference to the "HEEEEEEEEERE'S Johnny!" line from the Tonight Show. (Though I don't know why Lucasarts didn't just use Carson's likeness instead of Leno's.)

Products (Pepsi): You can get a can of Pepsi in the refrigerator, and Dr. Fred has an entire Pepsi Machine in the basement.
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. (Pepsi Can Screenshot)

Products (Edsel): The car in the garage is an Edsel. If you examine it, the description says "Weird Edsel". (Credit: Morgannon)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

Cross-Series (Zak McKracken): Both Maniac Mansion and Zak McKracken were made by LucasArts around the same time, and when you find the chainsaw in MM, your character notes that there's no chainsaw fuel for it, and there's none you can get in the game. In Zak, you find chainsaw fuel...but it's noted there's no chainsaw you can get in the game! Freaky, huh? (Credit: SlyDante)
Status: Unverified

Maniac Mansion 2: Day of the Tentacle (PC)

Specific Reference: You can play the original Maniac Mansion game as a hidden bonus. (Credit: Kairobi King)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga (GBA)

Cross-Series: The Psyko Kamek, in Little Fungitown, is obviously wearing a robe stolen from a White Mage from the Final Fantasy series. (Credit: Thibaut Salembier)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

A screenshot was produced that proved, in my mind, that this entry was true. However, it's been voted down on the forums. I really don't know what to make of this. The Magikoopa is wearing a white robe with a red triangular pattern on the bottom and a pointy hood. Seems VERY suspicious to me that a nearly-identical robe to that of a popular character class in a mega-popular game series would be slapped on a magic-wielding character by pure accidental coincidence, but people are convinced there is no way possible Nintendo would rip off another game company's design.

By this logic, I can create a character for Image Arcane who wears blue overalls, a red cap and shirt, and brown worker's shoes, but you know, give him slightly different buttons and claim that it's just coincidence that his clothes look like Mario's, because there's no way I'd ever make a reference like that. Sure, people. I may be dumb, but I'm not THAT dumb. And besides, I put this through the Ultimate Litmus Test: Crawl and 1000 compared the images and said they did look enough alike to be a reference. What Crawl says goes. CASE CLOSED!!

Character Cameo: Geno from Super Mario RPG makes an appearance in the game arcade. (Credit: Thibaut Salembier)
Status: Unverified

Programmers: When the Sledgehammer Bros. build you the first hammer you get in the game, they say, "Now you're playin' with power!", a reference to the NES slogan "Now you're playing with power!" (Credit: Deven711)
Status: Unverified

Cross-Series (Kirby): In the Yoshi Theater, there is a poster that has Kirby on it riding the warpstar. (Credit: Marti Gaskill)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) provided by Codie Martin proves it.

Cross-Series (Legend of Stafy/Wario): In the Yoshi Theater, there's a Stafy poster, which is a reference to the Japanese GBA video game, The Legend of Stafy. There's also a Wario poster. (Credit: Deven711)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) provided by Codie Martin proves it. FO's Note: I have no idea why several site readers have written in to inform me that there is no such game as "The Legend of Stafy". I've done some research on it, and unless there are a ton of hoax websites out there (including one of Nintendo's own), this series does in fact, exist. Stop trying to refute this entry! CASE CLOSED!

Specific Reference: While not completely out-of-place, as they're from the same continuity, it is sort of a cameo of a long abandoned power-up. There are goombas called tanoombas (tanooki goomba) that wear a leaf on their heads, and are powered-up just like Mario in Super Mario Bros. 3. They sport raccoon ears and tails, and attack with the tail spin. (Credit: Fenrir X)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) provided by Codie Martin proves it.

Character Cameo: Fighter Flys from Mario Bros. and the viruses from Dr. Mario make guest appearances as enemies. I would consider these cameos, as they don't normally appear in the "standard" Mario world. (Credit: Fenrir X)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) provided by Codie Martin proves it.

Real Place (Starbucks): The Starbeans Cafe is a parody of the Starbucks coffee shop chain. (Credit: Fenrir X)
Status: Unverified

Cross-Series (Donkey Kong): In the Woohoo Hooniversity level, there's a room that's designed like a Donkey Kong level. (Credit: Deven711)
Status: Unverified

Specific Reference: Mario is referred to as "Jumpman" by a Beanbean guard. This was his old name in the Donkey Kong game (his first game). (Credit: Thomas Ellinson)
Status: Unverified

Console (SNES): In the Bowser's Castle dungeon, there's an enemy that wields a Super Scope. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

Specific Reference: In the Hooniversity, there's a room with blocks from Super Mario Bros, Super Mario World, Super Mario 64, and Paper Mario. Hitting them tells you the game they're from. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (GCN)

Real Place (Mt. Rushmore): One of the places at Peach's Castle Grounds course is a spoof of Mount Rushmore. (Credit: Deven711)
Status: Unverified

Cross-Series (Legend of Zelda): In Coin Mode, the last number of coins in Hole 17 make the shape of the Triforce from the Legend of Zelda series. (Credit: Deven711)
Status: Unverified

Character Cameos: Sometimes in the rankings of tournament mode, you'll see the name "Hammer Bros.", which is a reference to the Hammer Bros. from the Mario games. In the Lakitu Valley Tourney, Goombario from Paper Mario is in the leaderboards along with Tubba Blubba, Mr. Resetti from Animal Crossing, E. Gadd from Luigi's Mansion, Piantasimmo from Super Mario Sunshine, and lots more. Also, Petey Piranha, Shadow Mario, and Bowser Jr. (from Super Mario Sunshine) are unlockable characters. (Credit: Deven711)
Status: Unverified

Cross-Series (Legend of Zelda): One of the tournaments you can unlock in the passwords tournament is the Camp Hyrule tournament. This is a reference to the Zelda series though it just takes place in Peach's Castle Grounds. (Credit: Deven711)
Status: Unverified

Music: At the character select screen, highlight Peach and you will hear her humming the first notes of the Super Mario Bros. theme over and over. (Credit: Andrew Rae)
Status: Unverified

Mario Paint (SNES)

Console (Gameboy): One of the clipart stamps is a Gameboy.
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Mario Party 3 (N64)

Music: When you use the Cellular Shopper or Bowser Phone, it plays the first bit from the original Mario Bros. theme. (Credit: MrnMllbnk)
Status: Unverified

Mario Party 4 (GCN)

Character Cameo: One of the items is called the "Gaddlight", which is named after Professor E. Gadd from Luigi's Mansion. It mentions E. Gadd in its description. (Credit: Deven711 & VGMaster96)
Status: Unverified

Cross-Series (Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link): The Piano Mini-Mini-Game music in Boo's Haunted Bash sounds like the music from Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link. (Credit: Deven711)
Status: Unverified

Character Cameo: The penguins in the mini-game "Photo Finish" are the ones from "Super Mario 64". (Credit: Deven711)
Status: Unverified

Mario Party 5 (GCN)

Movie (Mary Poppins): The mini-game "Merry Poppings" is named after "Mary Poppins". (Credit: Deven711)
Status: Unverified

Character Cameo: The roller from the Mario Party 2 mini-game "Shock, Drop, and Roll" appears on the Rainbow Dream board. (Credit: Deven711)
Status: Unverified

Mario's Picross (GB)

Character Cameos: Several "cameo" puzzles appear in this game: Boo Diddly, Mario, Gameboy, Star, Bullet Bill, Grand Goombas, Mini Yoshi, Spiny, Mushroom, Koopa Troopas. (Credit: Mark Kelly)
Status: Unverified

Mario Tennis (N64)

Music: Unlock Wario's court. The music is from Wario Land 2 (GB). (Credit: Mark Kelly)
Status: Unverified

Music: Unlock D.K.'s court. The music is remixed from the original Donkey Kong arcade. (Credit: Mark Kelly)
Status: Unverified

Marvel vs. Capcom (Multiplatform)

Character Cameo: In Wily's stage, there is a cone that looks like Gutsman from Megaman Battle and Chase. (Credit: Michael Morrissette)
Status: Unverified

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (Multiplatform)

Character Cameo: Morrigan's little sister Lilith appears with her as the fight is about to start. (Credit: Pokejedservo)
Status: Unverified

Matrimelee (PC)

Cross-Series (Rage of the Dragons): The 4 secret characters in the game (Lynn, Jimmy, Elias and Jones) are from Rage of the Dragons, another Noise Factory fighting game based loosely on Double Dragon, and also produced under license from Atlus. The secret combination to select secret characters in this game is exactly the same as the Rage of the Dragons code to play as Abobo. Abobo also makes a guest appearance as one of the things Sissy can manifest from that jewel box of hers. (Credit: Ultimate Chicken)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot 1) and (Screenshot 2) prove it.

Cross-Series (Pro Wrestling): The large viewscreen in Princess Sissy's stage sometimes displays "A Winner is Whom", similar to the message displayed in the NES game Nintendo Pro Wrestling, "A Winner is You". It's most definitely a cameo, as it isn't consistent with the (rather tolerable) English used in the rest of the game. (Credit: Ultimate Chicken)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

Cross-Series (Rage of the Dragons): Kang makes an appearance in Jone's lvl2 super. Kang was the partner of Jones in Rage of the Dragons. (Credit: Ultimate Chicken)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

Cross-Series (Rage of the Dragons): In White Buffalo's stage, the large viewscreen in the arena is running a Rage of the Dragons demo. It's blurry, but the "dial-a-combo" system demonstrated is a dead giveaway. (Credit: Ultimate Chicken)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

Console (MSX): Also in White Buffalo's stage, notice that the singers are wearing MSX t-shirts. MSX is an old gaming console, popular at one time in Asia. (Credit: Ultimate Chicken)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

Programmers: The Noise Factory logo can be seen in the floors of certain arenas. The one shown in the previous screenshot is an example. (Credit: Ultimate Chicken)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

Max Payne (Multiplatform)

Cross-Series (Zero Wing): In the training level, there is a sign that says "Tar Cafe". Underneath it says, "615 All your base...", a reference to the now-infamous line from Zero Wing. (Credit: ShadOtterdan)
Status: Unverified

Famous Person (Humphrey Bogart): Max Payne is based on Sam Spade, a character played by Humphrey Bogart. Max even makes a mention to playing it Bogart. (Credit: ShadOtterdan)
Status: Unverified

Programmers: The way Max Payne looks is based on Sam Lake, the man who wrote the script for Max Payne. (Credit: ShadOtterdan)
Status: Unverified

Movie (Reservoir Dogs): One of the conversations you can hear the guards say is very close to the story that Mr. Orange tells in Reservoir Dogs. (Credit: ShadOtterdan)
Status: Unverified

Mythology (Norse): Valkyr, Ragna Rock, Aesir, and Yggdrasil are all from Norse Mythology. (Credit: ShadOtterdan)
Status: Unverified

Cross-Series (Commander Keen): In one of the levels, you can find a sign that says "Dopefish lives". This can also be seen in Duke Nukem 3D and is a reference to Commander Keen. (Credit: ShadOtterdan)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) from MobyGames.com proves it.

MDK (PS1)

Cross-Series (Earthworm Jim): In World 3 there's a hidden bonus area in which you must collect icons shaped like Earthworm Jim's head to make cows fall on your enemies. (Credit: Ace Whatever)
Status: Unverified

MDK2 (Multiplatform)

TV Shows (Pee-Wee's Playhouse): The final boss is named Zizzy Baluba, which is a Pee-Wee's Playhouse reference. (Credit: Facilitypro)
Status: TRUE: Verified by Crawl and 1000.

Music (867-5309 (Jenny)): In the beginning, the computer tells of an enemy minecrawler in sector 8675309. This, of course, is Tommy Tutone's one hit (867-5309 [Jenny]). (Credit: Facilitypro)
Status: TRUE: Verified by Crawl and 1000.

Programmers/TV Shows (South Park): In Stage 7-E, there is a hidden castle WAY up in the air. When you get to it, you can go around the back and see the South Park version of Satan with one of the designer's heads pasted on. (Credit: Facilitypro)
Status: Unverified

Medal of Honor (PS1)

Famous Person (Winston Churchill): Winston Churchill is a secret playable character in the multiplayer mode. (Credit: Ragnorak-X)
Status: Unverified

MediEvil 2 (PS1)

Movie (Time After Time): There's a boss who is clearly based on Jack the Ripper. Also, the area of the story involving him is most likely inspired by the movie Time After Time. You need a time machine to get to him. And just like in that movie, there's also a young woman involved (Amy in the movie, Kiya in the game). (Credit: Ragnorak-X)
Status: Unverified

Mega Man (NES)

Cross-Series (Various): The Yashichi is an item that's appeared in many Capcom games, including Gun.Smoke, Ghosts 'n Goblins, Strider 2, and UN Squadron. (Credit: Dire 51, Codie Martin, & Kairobi King)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Mega Man 3 (NES)

Products (IBM): Dr. Light's supercomputer is a spoof of an IBM mainframe. It's called "IBN". (Credit: Flying Omelette)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

Mega Man 5 (GB)

Real Place (Planets): All the Robot Masters in the Game Boy version of Mega Man 5 are named after planets in our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto. (Credit: MJB817)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Source: Nintendo Power magazine.

Mega Man 7 (SNES)

Cross-Series (Super Ghouls n Ghosts): There's a code to change the music of Shade Man's stage to the first level music of Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts.
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Console (Gameboy): Rush will sometimes dig up a Gameboy when you use the "Rush Search".
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Mega Man and Bass (GBA)

Character Cameo: In the introductory level (Robot Museum), in the background near the end of the stage, you can see small statues of the Fire-Breathing dog enemies from Mega Man 2 lining the walls. (Credit: MJB817)
Status: Unverified

Music/Movie (Various): Several of the quotes in the Character CD are cameos. Flash Man's quote is "Stop in the name of love!", which is the name of a song by Diana Ross and the Supremes. Top Man's Quote is "You spin me right round, baby!" This is another song lyric. Pharaoh Man's quote is "I'm king of the world!", a reference to the movie Titanic. (Credit: MJB817)
Status: Unverified

Mega Man Battle Network (GBA)

Cross-Series (Zero Wing): In the power plant, one of the defective programs says "All your base are belong to us!!" from Zero Wing. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) from MobyGames.com proves it.

Console (Gamecube): There's a Gamecube in Dex's house. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

Character Cameo: There's a poster of Vile from Mega Man X and X3 (but it's his X version) in Higsby's Chip Shop. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

Character Cameo: There's a Servbot doll from Mega Man Legends in Mayl's room. (Crdit: Codie Martin)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

Character Cameo: At the beginning of the power plant scenario, Mega Man says something like "The Bonne Bunch is coming on", in reference to the bad guys of Mega Man Legends. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: Unverified

Character Cameo: Dex has a floormat and poster featuring the Servbots from the Mega Man Legends series. (Credit: Fenrir X)
Status: Unverified

Movie (Attack of the Killer Tomatoes): There's also the movie "Attack of the Killer PETs," which is a cliche by now, but I believe it originates with "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes." (Credit: Fenrir X)
Status: Unverified

Character Cameo: Yai has a Mega Man Legends series Roll doll. The game says it comes from the "Caskett Kids". In MML, Roll isn't an android, and is only related to Megaman by adoption, and her surname is Caskett. It's somewhere in her house upstairs, beside her computer. The Servbot toy will migrate there eventually in later games. (Credit: Ultimate Chicken)
Status: Unverified

Movie (Mission: Impossible): You can see a poster for Rom Cruze in Upgrade Impossible. This is obviously a reference to Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible. (Credit: ShadOtterdan)
Status: Unverified

Cross-Series (Pokemon/Mega Man Legends): Yai's house features a Pikachu-skin rug on the floor. It's yellow and brown, with the stripes and tail. Yai also has a Data doll on the couch. Data being the monkey from the Mega Man Legends series. (Credit: Fenrir X)
Status: Unverified

Mega Man Battle Network 2 (GBA)

Console (GBA): The Gamecube seems to be gone, but Dex now has two Game Boy Advances. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: Unverified

Character Cameo: Lan has a poster of Duo from Mega Man 8 in his room. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: Unverified

Character Cameo: Mayl still has that Servebot doll. It's from the TV show, "Go Bonne, Go!" (Credit: Codie Martin & Fenrir X)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) from MobyGames.com proves it.

Character Cameo: Mr. Match (from the first Battle Network) makes a cameo appearence in the airport as a netbattler. His netnavi has not only changed, but the navi is based on one of Wily's robot's in the Gameboy "Megaman". (Credit: Michael Morissette)
Status: Unverified

Console (Gamecube): In the area of the mother computer where you fight Shadow Man, a Gamecube logo can be found in the upper-right corner of the screen. (Credit: Andrew Rae)
Status: Unverified

Cross-Series (Pokemon/Mega Man Legends): Yai's house features a Pikachu-skin rug on the floor. It's yellow and brown, with the stripes and tail. Yai also has a Data doll on the couch. Data being the monkey from the Mega Man Legends series. (Credit: Fenrir X)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) from MobyGames.com proves it.

Mega Man Battle Network 3 (GBA)

Character Cameo: To go with that toy servbot, Mayl now has a toy Tron Bonne standing next to it. This time, Mayl's Tron Bonne and Servebot figures are from the "Family Boone" [sic] TV show, again referencing the Bonne family from the Mega Man Legends series. (Credit: Andrew Rae & Fenrir X)
Status: Unverified

Cross-Series (Pokemon/Mega Man Legends): Yai's house features a Pikachu-skin rug on the floor. It's yellow and brown, with the stripes and tail. Yai also has a Data doll on the couch. Data being the monkey from the Mega Man Legends series. (Credit: Fenrir X)
Status: Unverified

Character Cameo: In Higsby's shop, there is a poster of Zero, from the Mega Man X series. (Credit: Fenrir X)
Status: Unverified

Unknown Reference: In the guest room at the Ura Inn, there is an anime calendar featuring Lan, MegaMan.exe, Chaud, and ProtoMan.exe. It makes no sense for these characters to have merchandise of themselves, and Lan doesn't recognize it, so it has to be a cameo. This is pure conjecture, but I suspect it may be a real-life calendar released by Capcom? (Credit: Fenrir X)
Status: Unverified

Console (Unknown): In Dex's room, there is a game system, but I'm not sure what it is. It might be the Super Famicom. It might also be the Famicom version 2, but the shape is off. (Credit: Fenrir X)
Status: Unverified

Miscellaneous: Lan has figures of MegaMan.exe in his bedroom, like the ones that were released in Japan, but they're only cameos assuming Lan didn't make them himself. They can't be store-bought, as it doesn't make any sense. (Credit: Fenrir X)
Status: Unverified

Mega Man Legends (PS1/PC)

Specific Reference: There's a box in the toy store that has the new game called "Megaman Legends", but seemingly, the box says "Dash", a reference to the Japanese name of this game, Rockman Dash. (Credit: Michael Morissette)
Status: Unverified

Character Cameo: There is a Wily look-alike in the Uptown region, but he's not evil. (Credit: Michael Morissette)
Status: Unverified

Character Cameo: One of the houses on the outskirts of the island has a poster of Zero in it. (Credit: Ace Whatever)
Status: Unverified

Mega Man Legends 2 (PS1)

Character Cameo: When you enter the bar in the first town, the TV will be showing a short clip of Mega Man and Proto Man. (Credit: Ace Whatever)
Status: Unverified

Mega Man Network Transmission (GCN)

Specific Reference: The "Zero Virus" everyone's talking about is likely a reference to the Zero Virus in Mega Man X5. It even behaves in a similar way. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: Unverified

Mega Man: The Wily Wars (Megadrive)

Literature (Journey to the West): In the Wily Tower game, the bosses Buster Rod G, Mega Water S, and Hyper Storm H are all based on characters from the classic fable Journey to the West. (Credit: MJB817)
Status: Unverified

Mega Man X (SNES)

Cross-Series (Street Fighter 2): You can get Ken and Ryu's "Hadouken" fireball move, from the Street Fighter games, in the Armored Armadillo stage. When Dr. Light appears to give it to you, he's wearing Ryu's outfit.
Status: TRUE: Verified in Nintendo Power.

Movie (Predator): The Sting Chameleon boss is based on the Predator from the Arnold Schwarzenegger film. They both have a cloaking ability that makes them transparent against their surroundings, they both make a "rattling" noise, and they both attack in the jungle.
Status: TRUE: Too many similarities to be coincidence. The cloaking abilities are identical.

Mega Man X2 (SNES)

Cross-Series (Street Fighter 2): Ken's (SF II) flaming Dragon Punch becomes available to X after gathering the necessary items. (Credit: Dire 51)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Source: Nintendo Power.

Mega Man X3 (SNES)

Music (My Michelle): The music in Neon Tiger's level is extremely similar to the Guns 'n Roses song "My Michelle". (Credit: MJB817)
Status: Requires Verification: I do not like to include songs in the Cameos Database that have a vague similarity to another song, unless there is substantial reason to believe the song is an intentional parody. I'm more willing to believe this one than some others because somebody at Capcom obviously likes Guns n Roses, as evidenced by the American names of the Mavericks in Mega Man X5. I've listened to a (Midi) of the Neon Tiger theme, and about 30 seconds of "My Michelle" at BestBuy.com. They DO sound similar, but it's difficult to make a call based on only 30 seconds of the song.

Mega Man X4 (PS1)

Character Cameo: Chill Penguin from X1 and Blizzard Buffalo from X3 can be seen frozen in ice in Frost Walrus' stage. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: TRUE: Screenshots prove it: (Blizzard Buffalo) (Chill Penguin)

Cross-Series (Street Fighter 2): Magma Dragoon has the same techniques as Ryu's fireball, dragon punch, and the uppercut. Their voices also sound similar. (Credit: Daniel)
Status: Unverified

Mega Man X5 (PS1)

Character Cameo: You fight Magma Dragoon from X4 at the end of Training Mode. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: Unverified

Famous Person (Guns n Roses): The mavericks were named after members of the band "Guns 'n Roses". The names are: Grizzly Slash (Slash), Squid Adler (Steven Adler), Izzy Glow (Izzy Stradlin), Duff McWhalen (Duff McKagan), Axle the Red (Axel Rose), Dark Dizzy (Dizzy Reed), and Mattrex (Matt Sorum). (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Numerous sources have confirmed this.

Specific Reference: The first Sigma Stage seems to have its gist borrowed from Quick Man's stage in Mega Man 2. There's an area of the stage where these instant death beams shoot out at you from the side in patterns, and you have to dodge them by falling off the platforms before they hit you, just like in Quick Man's stage. You even have this one Time Freezing ability that you can use to freeze the beams. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: Unverified

Character Cameo/Music: The boss of the first Sigma Stage is a black Rock Monster from Mega Man 1 and 3. The music when fighting it is a remake of the Wily stage boss music in Mega Man. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: Unverified

Character Cameo/Music: The boss of the second Sigma Stage is a remake of Rangda Bangda from Mega Man X. The music when fighting it is a remake of the Sigma stage boss music in Mega Man X. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: Unverified

Music: The music in Tidal Whale's stage is remixed from Bubble Crab in Mega Man X2. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: Unverified

Music: The opening movie's music is a remix of Zero's theme in Mega Man X and the "Got Weapon" music in Mega Man 3. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: Unverified

Specific Reference: When you fight Zero near the end of the game, in the fourth Sigma stage, Dr. Wily's emblem (the crooked "W" with a circle around it) appears in the background. (Credit: Timothy Courchene)
Status: Unverified

Mega Man X6 (PS1)

Character Cameo: Metal Shark Player, if given the chance, will make old mavericks appear when you're fighting him. So far, I've seen him make Sting Chameleon from X1 and Magna Centipede from X2 appear. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: Unverified

Music: The first two Gate stages' music are remixes of the third X-Hunter level (where you fight Agile) in Mega Man X2. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: Unverified

Music: The second Sigma fight is a remix of the music of both Sigma fights from Mega Man X2. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: Unverified

Character Cameo: If you enter one of the secret doors of any of the stages after rescuing Zero and defeating High Max, or getting to the Gate stages, you fight Dynamo from Mega Man X5. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: Unverified

Music: The theme heard during the battle with Nightmare Zero is that of the Virus stage 3 boss from Mega Man X5, where you fought the character you weren't using, ie, use X, fight Zero. (Credit: Andrew Rae)
Status: Unverified

Cross-Series (Various): Some of the wolf reploids you save in the ice stage have names of other Capcom characters, such as Ryu, Chun Li, and Ken of Street Fighter, Cody and Guy of Final Fight, Nina of Breath of Fire, Dante of Devil May Cry, Morrigan (Moringa) of DarkStalkers, Leon of Resident Evil, Arthur of Ghouls n Ghosts, and Data from Mega Man Legends. (Credit: Codie Martin & Flying Omelette)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

Mega Man Xtreme 2 (GBC)

Specific Reference: In the ending, the characters mention one "Colonel" and the "Repliforce". These are references, thus making this game a prequel, to Mega Man X4. (Credit: Andrew Rae)
Status: TRUE: Multiple sites confirm it.

Menacer 6-in-1 (Genesis)

Cross-Series (Toejam & Earl): The Sega Genesis Menacer 6-in-1 cart has a game called "Ready, Aim, Tomatoes!" which stars Toejam & Earl. (Credit: Yashiro Nanakase)
Status: TRUE: Verified by www.tjande.com.

Metal Gear Solid (PS1)

Cross-Series (Various): When Psycho Mantis tries to read your mind, if you have a saved file on your memory card for Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, he will say something like, "I see you like Castlevania!" This also works for Suikoden and Silent Hill. (Credit: James FP)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Numerous sources have verified this.

Programmers: If you take pictures of certain areas of the game with the camera, a "ghost" will show up on the photograph. These ghosts are actually based on the different programmers of the game. (Credit: James FP)
Status: Unverified

Cross-Series (Gradius): There's an Easter Island head (from Gradius) in the floor of the nuclear weapon storage with the poison gas. (Credit: Ace Whatever)
Status: Unverified

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty/Substance (PS2/XBOX)

Cross-Series (Zone of the Enders): You can find cardboard boxes of Zone of the Enders in a couple of rooms in the tanker. (Credit: Camilo E. Villamizar B.)
Status: Unverified

Character Cameo: There's a joke that involves a Vulcan Raven action figure early in the mission. It is placed in such a way that its shadow appears man-sized. (Credit: Camilo E. Villamizar B. & bleusilence)
Status: Unverified

Miscellaneous: The terrorist group in the game is called Dead Cell. This is a reference to the Navy SEAL team Red Cell, headed by Captain Richard Marcinko. Red Cell was a top secret Navy unit formed by Marcinko in the late 1980's. Its members were hand-picked by him for their ability to think unconventionally and act aggressively. Red Cell's purpose was two-fold. The first was to become terrorists themselves -- to test the defenses of the Navy's most secure facilities and installations. The result: Red Cell was able to infiltrate supposedly impenetrable, highly secured bases, nuclear submarines, ships and other purported "secure areas," seemingly at will. The unit's function as a security evaluation team allowed it to travel all over the world and was in effect, a "cover" for its second, highly-classified, mission: to eliminate terrorists before they could strike. Details of the unit's activities in this area remain classified. However, Red Cell's success at defeating the Navy's own security forces embarrassed many base commanders and earned the unit a number of enemies within the Navy. The unit fell on hard times after Marcinko was convicted of misallocation of funds and was subsequently disbanded in 1995. Marcinko had written a number of fictional novels after his New York Times bestseller biography, and in most of his novels such as Red Cell and SEAL Force Alpha he will write about the people he served with in Red Cell, such as Steve Hartman (Stevie Wonder), Albert Trembly (Doc Trembly) and Dan Capel (Nicky Grundle). (Credit: Adam Kasugano)
Status: Unverified

Specific Reference: When the colonel is going all nutso, he makes references to Metal Gear, Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid: Ghost Babel, and also I think Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. (Credit: ShadOtterdan)
Status: Unverified

Metal Gear Solid: Ghost Babel (GBC)

Specific Reference: After completing all of the special missions in Metal Gear Solid: Ghost Babel (GBC), you will get a conversation from Number 4 that hints that this was a training mission for Jack AKA Raiden from MGS2. Also one of those special missions has you dodging barrels like in Donkey Kong. (Credit: ShadOtterdan)
Status: Unverified

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (GCN)

Cross-Series (Various): If you have an Eternal Darkness file on your memory card, Psycho Mantis says something like "You like adventure games don't you? Do you like SILICON KNIGHTS games? Did you enjoy ETERNAL DARKNESS?" He also says something about Zelda if you have a Wind Waker file on the memory card as well. This will also work for Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Mario Sunshine. (Credit: Codie Martin & KingTT)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Numerous sources confirm it.

Cross-Series (Eternal Darkness): There is an Eternal Darkness poster in one of the lockers. (Credit: Auron & KingTT)
Status: Unverified

Programmers: Behind Psycho Mantis are pictures of, from left to right, MGS:TTS cutscene director Ryuhei Kitomura, MGS creator Hideo Kojima, and President of Silicon Knights Denis Dyack. (Credit: KingTT)
Status: Unverified

Cross-Series (Zone of the Enders): During the Ninja fight in the computer room, you can see a poster on the back wall advertising Zone of Enders 2: The Second Runner. (Credit: KingTT)
Status: Unverified

Cross-Series (Super Mario Bros.): On the right side of the computer room, on top of a computer, there are little statuettes of Mario and Yoshi! Shooting Mario replenishes your health, and you can hear Yoshi make his trademark noise if you shoot him. (Credit: KingTT)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Source: Nintendo Power.

Console (Gamecube): In the computer room there is a picture of a Gamecube and a WaveBird controller on one of the computer screens. (Credit: KingTT)
Status: Unverified

Cross-Series (Eternal Darkness): If you lay a book on the ground and look at it in first person mode, you will see Alex Roives from Eternal Darkness. (Credit: KingTT)
Status: Unverified

Programmers: If you take pictures of certain areas of the game with the camera, a "ghost" will show up on the photograph. These ghosts are actually based on the different programmers of the game. (Credit: James FP)
Status: Unverified

Programmers: When facing Psycho Mantis, he will say, "Black out," and your screen will go black with the word "Hideo", and then return to normal. This is a reference to MGS director Hideo Kojima. (Credit: fput1)
Status: Unverified

Metal Slug X (Arcade/PS1)

Famous Person/Movie (Saddam Hussein/Independence Day): The main villain of the game, General Morden, is based on Saddam Hussein and the ending is a spoof of the movie "Independence Day". (Credit: Crawl and 1000)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Metal Storm (NES)

Cross-Series (R-Type): There are R-Type Warships in the background of Stage 6. (Credit: Crawl and 1000)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

Metal Walker (GBC)

Cross-Series (Pokemon): The enemy called B. Minion appears to have a pokeball for a head and very Pikachu-like ears. (Credit: MJB817)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) from MobyGames.com proves it.

Metroid (NES)

Movie (Alien): Much of the idea of Metroid seems inspired by "Alien", from the female hero to the parasitic alien life form that wiped out an entire planet's civilization. Ridley (screenshot) has the elongated head of the Aliens in the Alien movies, and he was probably named after director Ridley Scott. Finally, Samus Aran looks a bit like Sigourney Weaver in the endings where she removes her helmet.
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Too many similarities to be coincidence. Screenshot from (Metroid Database).

Metroid 2: Return of Samus (GB)

Movie (Aliens): Just like Metroid 1, much of the idea seems inspired by Alien. Especially how Samus Aran is returning to the Metroid's homeworld in this sequel, much like how Ripley returned to the planet where the Alien was first discovered in "Aliens". Also, Samus fights the Queen Metroid (screenshot) in the end, reminiscent of how Ripley fought the Alien Queen in the end of "Aliens". Finally, the egg the baby Metroid hatches out of it looks like an Alien egg.
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Too many similarities to be coincidence.

Metroid Fusion (GBA)

Music: When you fight Ridley and when you're escaping the station at the end, the music that plays is the boss/escape tune from Super Metroid. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: TRUE: Verified by www.vgmusic.com.

Metroid Prime (GCN)

Music: The music to the caverns is a remix of the music to Lower Norfair in Super Metroid. (Credit: Codie Martin)
Status: TRUE: Verified by www.vgmusic.com.

Movie (Aliens): The dead giant parasite you find near the beginning of Metroid Prime is probably based on the Alien Queen from Aliens. It even mentions that the orifice on the rear end might be used for birthing offspring. (Credit: ShadOtterdan)
Status: Unverified

Might and Magic (NES/PC)

Literature (Lord of the Rings): Might and Magic has a definite Lord of the Rings reference. When you find Okrim's maze, you'll eventually find a message saying something about how his eye watches over all (I don't remember the exact quote, but it's something very much like that.) This is a reference to Sauron of The Lord of the Rings. If that's not enough evidence for you, when you beat Okrim, you win his Ring as an item.
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Too many similarities to be coincidence.

Mythology (Greek): Might and Magic also has a Maze of the Minotaur with a minotaur boss, just like in the myths.
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Music (Pachelbel): The title theme music on the NES version is Pachelbel's Canon. (Midi)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Might and Magic: Gates to Another World (Genesis)

TV Shows (Hong Kong Phooey/Sherman & Peabody): I remember there being a hireling named "HK Phooey". There's also a quest involving Lord Peabody, a Wayback Machine and, I think, a relative of his named Sherman, but I've forgotten the specifics. (Credit: Will B)
Status: Unverified: FO's Note: That's one of the weirdest cameos I've heard of so far...

Mighty Final Fight (NES)

Cross-Series (Mega Man): In the ending, there's a billboard with Mega Man's face on it. (Credit: Andrew Rae)
Status: TRUE: (Screenshot) proves it.

Misadventures of Tron Bonne, The (PS1)

Character Cameo: When you send your servbots into a house for the first time, one of them will turn on the TV showing a walking Mega Man. (Credit: Ace Whatever)
Status: Unverified

Missile Command (Atari 2600)

Programmers: You can turn one of the destroyed cities into the initials "RF" for Rob Fulop, the programmer of the game. (Credit: Kairobi King)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Missile Command (GB)

Programmers: The San Jose stage features the Accolade buildings. Perhaps because Accolade was stationed in San Jose? (Credit: Andrew Rae)
Status: Unverified

MLB Slugfest Loaded (PS2/Xbox)

Cross-Series (Mortal Kombat): The 2 hidden teams, Scorpion and Sub-Zero, are named after Scorpion and Sub-Zero from the Mortal Kombat series. (Credit: Deven711)
Status: TRUE: Multiple sites confirm it.

Movie (The Time Machine): In one of the conservations between the commentators, they talk about the movie "The Time Machine". (Credit: Deven711)
Status: Unverified

Monster Rancer (PS1)

Cross-Series (Deception): You can get a secret monster who is a character from Tecmo's Deception if you meet certain requirements. (Credit: Ace Whatever)
Status: Unverified

Monty on the Run (C64)

Music (Dick Barton Gallop): The theme tune is based on the Dick Barton Gallop. (Credit: Andy Thorley)
Status: TRUE: Here is a (Dick Barton Gallop Wav) and a (Monty on the Run midi) for comparison. You have to wait about 40 seconds into the midi for the similarity to begin.

Mortal Kombat 2 (Multiplatform)

Cross-Series (Pong): Pong is hidden in the game. 250 matches must be played by 2 players to access Pong. (Credit: Mike Waters)
Status: TRUE: Multiple sites confirm it.

Programmers: Noob Saibot is a reference to the game's programmers, Ed Boon and John Tobias. His name is their last names spelled backwards. MK2 is the first game he appeared in as a hidden character. (Credit: Crawl and 1000)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO. Source: Nintendo Power.

Mortal Kombat 3 (Multiplatform)

Character Cameo: Nightwolf has a friendship where he transforms into Raiden, the thunder god from the series. In the first 2 editions of MK3, Raiden was not playable, only in MK Trilogy did he finally become a playable character again. Also, what is the meaning behind Raiden saying, "I have never seen a Kano transformation" when Nightwolf performs that friendship? Well, in the bookkeeping of the arcade game of MK2, there is a line that says Kano Transformation. What does this mean? The world may never know. Also, a Mortal Kombat 2 arcade machine falls behind him during his Friendship. And sometimes Nightwolf will say "No, but I have seen a Raiden transformation!" (Credit: Mike Waters)
Status: Unverified

Cross-Series (Joust): Also note Shang Tsung's friendship move is that he turns into a Joust character. (Credit: Mike Waters)
Status: Unverified

Cross-Series (Galaxian): Mortal Kombat 3 has a Galaxian clone hidden in it. (Credit: Crawl and 1000)
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.

Movie (Predator): Sektor and Cyrax were obviously modeled after the Predator. (Credit: Nixxy Blayde)
Status: TRUE: Similarities too strong to be coincidence. See (Oddities 28) for picture comparison.

Mortal Kombat Trilogy (N64)

Cross-Series (Space Invaders): One of the bonus games is Space Invaders, which can be found after beating the tallest tower, and it's one space to the left of the "Supreme Demonstration", if I remember correctly. (Credit: Rick L)
Status: Unverified

Motoko Chan no Wonder Kitchen (SFC)

Cross-Series (Dr. Mario): The virus characters from Dr. Mario make a cameo in this rather peculiar game. (Credit: Per Arne Sandvik)
Status: TRUE: Screenshot at (Encyclopedia-Obscura) proves it.

Mystaria: The Realms of Lore/Blazing Heroes/Riglord Saga (Saturn)

Literature (Lord of the Rings): The characters Aragon and Saura were most likely named after Aragorn and Sauron from The Lord of the Rings. Even the Japanese title of the game, "Riglord Saga", sounds like it was taken from "Lord of the Rings".
Status: TRUE: Verified by FO.