Unexpected Game Moments
Easter eggs are gaming's best inside jokes, surprises that developers sneak into their creations when nobody's looking. These buried treasures turn every gaming session into a scavenger hunt where the rewards are pure, unexpected laughter. Here are 20 of the best video game easter eggs that don't disappoint.
The Witness - Here's Jon Blow's pissjug (and the secret hotel + credits) by Jeff Grubb's Game Mess
1. Secret Cow Level (Diablo II)
The Secret Cow Level became reality when Blizzard North decided to embrace the meme for Diablo II. Players are required to combine Wirt's Leg and a Tome of Town Portal in the Horadric Cube to open a red portal to the "Moo Moo Farm".
Diablo II - Secret Cow Level "Easter Egg" by LetsPlay Community
2. Toilet Paper Shortage (Fallout 76)
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, folks began hoarding virtual toilet paper rolls, creating an in-game shortage that mirrored real-world panic buying. The community-driven joke escalated when they started price-gouging toilet paper for 25,000 caps per roll and displaying their stockpiles like precious treasures.
Fallout 76 Toilet Paper Locations by MisterArtamisk Gaming
3. Wheatley Space Core (Portal 2)
After being defeated in the final boss battle, Wheatley gets sucked through a portal on the moon's surface, leaving him floating helplessly in space. This scene even became the game's menu background after completion, showing both Wheatley and the Space Core drifting endlessly through the cosmos.
Portal 2 - I'm in space! by Tvattsvamp
4. Exploding Chickens (The Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening)
Link's Awakening contains one of gaming's most unexpectedly violent animal encounters hidden behind innocent curiosity. On repeatedly attacking a seemingly harmless chicken (Cucco) in Mabe Village, the bird suddenly summons an unstoppable army of its feathered brethren. These vengeful poultry descend from the sky.
Killer chickens in the Legend Of Zelda Links Awakening! by Captain Eggcellent Clips
5. Rickroll Connection (Grand Theft Auto IV)
Following Grand Theft Auto IV's highly anticipated trailer, which crashed Rockstar's website in March 2007, a 4chan user named Shawn Cotter posted a fake mirror link that led to Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up". This single act rickrolled millions of eager gamers simultaneously.
Grand Theft Auto IV Trailer 1 "Things Will Be Different" by Rockstar Games
6. Giant Enemy Crab (Genji: Days Of The Blade)
Sony's E3 2006 presentation became internet legend when Bill Ritch declared players could "attack its weak point for massive damage" while fighting a historically inaccurate giant crab. The phrase spawned countless memes because of its unintentionally hilarious delivery and abandonment of the game's supposed historical accuracy.
Genji: Days of the Blade (Part 1) || GIANT ENEMY CRAB by Hillside
7. Wilhelm Scream Easter Egg (Half-Life 2)
That legendary Wilhelm scream stock sound effect appears throughout Half-Life 2, continuing its tradition across several films and games since 1951's Distant Drums. Valve's sound designers cleverly embedded this audio meme into death sequences, knowing that film buffs would immediately recognize the iconic sound.
Half Life 2 All Easter Eggs And Secrets HD by kacpi26
8. Space Chicken Quest (Dying Light 2)
The “Space Cock” quest is a hidden, comedic Easter egg side mission in this fan-favorite masterpiece, accessible only after you complete the main story. It involves helping a talking space chicken named Brunek escape Earth by retrieving a spaceship part for him.
Dying Light 2 - How to get the secret Pan of Destiny Weapon (Space Chicken quest) by GamesRadar
9. Duke Nukem Forever Reference (Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon)
Far Cry 3’s retro-themed expansion includes a brilliantly timed jab at a highly infamous vaporware project. Individuals find a computer terminal displaying a message about a game that's been "in development for over a decade" and will be "totally worth the wait."
DUKE NUKEM PLAYS FAR CRY 3 BLOOD DRAGON | PT 2 by iiULTRAMAGNUSii
10. Laundry Reminder Message (World Of Warcraft)
In this game, individuals found an NPC with the unlikely name "Message to Castpipe: your laundry's ready for pickup" hidden within its vast codebase. This ordinary reminder turns into comedy gold when encountered in a world of epic quests and magical spells.
Reminders of Home Quest - World of Warcraft by WCQuests
11. Lunch Order Level (Doom)
The original Doom's secret level contains a bizarre inspiration: an entire map designed around someone's sandwich preferences. Level designers John Romero and Sandy Petersen created a hidden area that spells out "DAINA" when viewed from above—reportedly referencing a developer's lunch order or girlfriend's name.
DOOM: The Dark Ages | Official Launch Trailer (4K) | Available May 15, 2025 by Bethesda Softworks
12. Jonathan Blow's Reality Meta-Ending (The Witness)
Hidden right at the beginning, players who align a white pillar with the sun can solve the light itself as a puzzle, opening a secret path to an abandoned hotel. The journey culminates in live-action footage of creator Jonathan Blow waking up in his actual office.
The Witness - Here's Jon Blow's pissjug (and the secret hotel + credits) by Jeff Grubb's Game Mess
13. Legendary Fridge (Borderlands 2)
Literal naming conventions reach peak absurdity the moment post-apocalyptic explorers adventure through household appliances during an alien invasion crisis. The Fridge delivers exactly what it promises, that is, an actual refrigeration area populated by crystallisk creatures and frozen wasteland environments.
Borderlands 2 | Map by Map | Completionist Guide | #11 | The Fridge by 00TheMessiah00
14. Screaming Sun Reference (Rick And Morty: Virtual Rick-ality)
Psychological warfare takes the form of intermittent celestial agony designed to drive puzzle-solving players completely insane through repetitive auditory torture slowly. Hidden speakers throughout various areas broadcast the Screaming Sun's agonized wails at random intervals during gameplay sequences. The easter egg works on multiple levels.
15. Banana Phone (Monkey Island 2)
Here, maritime communication technology reaches new levels of creative improvisation. In Monkey Island 2, folks can actually use a banana as a functioning telephone by combining it with specific items in their inventory. The joke works because it's simultaneously the most logical and illogical solution possible.
16. Flying Thomas The Tank Engine (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)
Modding enthusiasts substituted terrifying dragons with Thomas the Tank Engine, complete with his cheerful face and train whistle sound effects. The cognitive dissonance between innocent childhood memories and epic fantasy adventure creates unintentional comedy gold. The mod's popularity spawned numerous videos.
Skyrim: Thomas the Tank Engine mod by J
17. Invisible Wall Complaints (The Stanley Parable)
On traversing beyond the narrator's intended boundaries, people encounter invisible barriers accompanied by exasperated commentary about game design constraints. The easter egg becomes funnier as the narrator's professional composure deteriorates into genuine irritation at players who refuse to follow prescribed story paths.
The Stanley Parable - 20 Easter Eggs, Secrets & References by Captain Eggcellent
18. Secret Developer Room (Cyberpunk 2077)
Hidden behind a locked door in Night City's Kabuki Market (accessible only with code 605185 from physical game boxes) lies a recreation of the actual developer workspace. Inside, a couch and television display team photos while Johnny Silverhand plays ambient guitar music during credit sequences.
Secret hidden developer room - Cyberpunk 2077 by Madd Gamer
19. Demonic Rubber Duck Collection (Dying Light 2)
Everyone must collect five evil rubber ducks scattered throughout the map, each emitting supernatural roars when touched. Once assembled on a pentagram altar, they unlock a complete recreation of Doom's classic E1M1 level with pixelated graphics and 90s MIDI music.
Dying Light 2 Evil Rubber Ducks Secret Challenge (Doom Easter Egg) by Game Guides Channel
20. The Sparkle Everything Cheat (The Sims)
This secret cheat code covers houses, furniture, and even Sims themselves in sparkling particle effects that serve absolutely no gameplay purpose whatsoever. That's okay—the easter egg represents pure joy in digital form, turning routine household tasks into cosmic dance floor experiences.
10 Cheats Every New Sims 4 Player Needs To Know | The Sims 4 Guide by Petey Plays It
