When Games Go Off Script
Video games occasionally slip into chaos in the best way possible. One moment you’re exploring a haunted castle, the next you’re bumping into a cartoon icon or a pop star with zero explanation. Nothing in the story prepares you for it, and the game doesn’t bother justifying it either. That’s true, as odd cameos don’t follow rules, and that’s what makes them so fun to track down. So, here are 20 appearances that still make players do a double-take.
1. Shrek (Tony Hawk’s Underground 2)
Shrek appears as an unlockable character in Tony Hawk’s Underground 2, despite having no connection to skateboarding in his films. He performs advanced tricks such as the 900 and grinds rails while wearing his full swamp outfit.
The 10 BEST Tony Hawk's Pro Skater Guest Characters by MojoPlays
2. Ricky Gervais (Grand Theft Auto IV)
Players exploring Liberty City in Grand Theft Auto IV can stumble into a comedy club and find Ricky Gervais delivering full stand-up sets as himself. In a narrative packed with carjackings and criminal syndicates, this fully animated comedy act really helps bring the Liberty City to life.
GTA IV Ricky Gervais Stand Act from Liberty city Split Sides Comedy Club by manabovethemorgue
3. Darth Vader (Soulcalibur IV)
In Soulcalibur IV, Darth Vader enters a medieval sword-fighting tournament armed with his signature lightsaber. He wasn’t originally available on the Xbox version—players had to purchase him later as downloadable content, making his cameo platform-dependent.
Soul Calibur IV - Darth Vader story mode by warwolf04
4. Michael Jackson (Space Channel 5)
Space Channel 5 drops Michael Jackson into its rhythm-fueled alien invasion as the dazzling Space Michael. Decked out in a silver suit, he joins the fight by dancing mid-battle. Most importantly, Jackson personally voiced and motion-captured the character.
WE GOTTA SAVE SPACE MICHAEL! - Let's Play Space Channel 5: Part 2 - Part 2 by warwolf04
5. Joe Kelly (XCOM: Enemy Unknown)
Best known for writing Deadpool and co-creating Ben 10, Joe Kelly makes a hidden appearance in XCOM: Enemy Unknown as a recruitable soldier. His character uses his real name and nationality, and pays tribute to a young fan memorialized by the game’s developers and community.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown - Hero Characters Easter Egg by IGN
6. Gary Coleman (Postal 2)
The late sitcom star Gary Coleman appears in Postal 2 as an exaggerated, gun-toting version of himself. Players encounter him during a bizarre autograph-signing mission that spirals into chaos. Coleman voiced the role personally, leaning into the game’s outrageous humor.
Postal 2 Meeting Gary Coleman by Will Smither
7. Ronald McDonald (Mugen)
Ronald McDonald in Mugen is a fan-made character who fights using an entire fast-food arsenal. He throws cheeseburgers as projectiles and blasts enemies with soda. Despite being a joke character, he can easily take down balanced fighters like Goku and Ryu.
MUGEN - Ronald Mcdonald vs the World by TheLP2200
8. Mario (NBA Street V3)
This GameCube-exclusive randomly inserts Mario, Luigi, and Peach into a realistic street basketball game, complete with custom jerseys. Mario’s presence isn’t part of a storyline or joke—it just happens, turning a grounded sports title into one of the weirdest crossovers ever put on a console.
NBA Street V3 feat. Mario ALLSTARS / RTX 3090 4K / GameCube emulator Dolphin by Haidi Retro Gaming
9. Kratos (Mortal Kombat [2011])
Kratos enters Mortal Kombat (2011) to dismember fighters with his Blades of Chaos like it’s just another day. Although the game gives him a quick backstory, it still feels like Kratos was dropped into the tournament with no real reason.
MORTAL KOMBAT Kratos Klassic Towers Gameplay 4K 60FPS by MKIceAndFire
10. Link (Soulcalibur II)
Link appears as a guest character in the GameCube version of Soulcalibur II, facing off against heavily armed, serious warriors using his standard gear. He was exclusive to this version of the game and has never returned in any Soulcalibur sequel.
Soul Calibur 2 Link Gameplay by SuperMetalDave64
11. Abraham Lincoln (Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.)
Reimagined as a steampunk war commander, Abraham Lincoln leads a squad of alien hunters from a flying battleship. The game presents it all with a straight face, making this one of the weirdest presidential roles ever put in a video game.
Nintendo 3DS - Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. Abraham Lincoln Trailer by Nintendo of America
12. Yoda (Soulcalibur IV)
At just three feet tall, Yoda can’t be grabbed, making him a nightmare to deal with in close combat. He makes Star Wars noises in the middle of a medieval fantasy world and feels completely disconnected from the setting.
Soulcalibur IV playthrough - Arcade mode - Yoda by 2zPorygon
13. Norman Reedus (P.T.)
Norman Reedus doesn’t appear in P.T. until the very end. After navigating haunted hallways filled with disturbing events, his silent face appears in the final seconds. This brief reveal was meant to tease Silent Hills, a full game that never materialized.
The Mystery of The Norman Reedus Character (5 Best Theories): Silent Hills PT by Always Nerdy
14. Fred Durst (Fight Club)
Of all the characters to unlock in the Fight Club video game, Fred Durst makes the least sense. The Limp Bizkit frontman, known for nu-metal anthems, is thrown into a world built on anti-consumerism and identity collapse.
Fight Club Fred Durst Arcade Playthrough by Derek Turner
15. Justin Bieber (Doom Mod: Joke WAD)
In one of the internet’s most unhinged fan mods, Doom turns into a full-blown Bieber-blasting simulator. Doomguy storms through pixelated hell, unloading shotgun shells into swarms of Justin Bieber that scream in pain with every hit.
DOOM MOD BRUTAL GZDOOM v015a JUSTIN BIEBER ELEMENTS by petsasjim1
16. Scorpion (Injustice: Gods Among Us)
When Injustice: Gods Among Us threw Scorpion into the ring, DC fans weren’t sure what hit them. Instead of being a one-off guest, Scorpion was reimagined with a new costume by comic book legend Jim Lee, giving him a sleeker, DC-inspired makeover.
Green Arrow VS Scorpion Injustice Gods Among Us 4K Ultra HD by Jay & Ash
17. Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid V)
Appearing as a rescue target in Metal Gear Solid V, Hideo Kojima is hidden in an optional side mission with no narrative setup. He’s found wearing a lab coat and glasses inside an enemy base. And after the extraction, he delivers a fully voiced thank-you.
Metal Gear Solid 5 Phantom Pain - Hideo Kojima Easter Egg by AFGuidesHD
18. Snoop Dogg (Call Of Duty: Ghosts)
In a surprising twist on battlefield intensity, Call of Duty: Ghosts handed the mic to none other than Snoop Dogg. Instead of the usual stern military bark, players were treated to his laid-back drawl dropping lines like, “Get that bling, son!”
Call of Duty®: Ghosts - Snoop Dogg VO Pack by PlayStation Korea
19. Sonic The Hedgehog (Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania)
Out of nowhere, Sonic the Hedgehog spun his way into Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania—inside a hamster ball, no less. Instead of chasing bananas, he’s snatching up golden rings, which only deepens the confusion. Still, he rockets through tracks like a jittery marble, propelled by nostalgia and chaos.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania - Sonic and Tails Character Reveal | PS5, PS4 by PlayStation
20. Spider-Man (The Revenge Of Shinobi)
Spider-Man makes an unexpected appearance as a boss in The Revenge of Shinobi, a 1989 side-scrolling action game by Sega. Midway through the level, players suddenly find themselves battling the iconic Marvel hero, who lunges, punches, and shoots webs without a single explanation.
