Our Favorite Star Wars Easter Eggs And References

The Star Wars franchise has had a tremendous influence on pop culture, and games are no exception. Game developers have been inserting references including character nods and memorable lines from the movies over the past several decades. Here are a few of our favorite Star Wars references in video games.

Dr. Eggman's Death Egg – Sonic and Knuckles

The Death Star is one of pop culture's most iconic space stations, and it's a go-to base design for bad guys. In addition to serving as a template for Sonic's arch-nemesis, Dr. Wily constructed the Wily Star in Mega Man V. Both stations feature mustaches. Coincidence?

JFK on Wampas Zombies – Call of Duty: Black Ops

Black Ops put Call of Duty's zombies in the West Wing, where they faced off against John F. Kennedy, Fidel Castro, Robert McNamara, and Richard Nixon. Why not? Kennedy comments on the action, with one of his quips sounding awfully familiar. "I thought they smelled bad on the outside," he'll occasionally remark, which is what Han said after slicing open a wampa in The Empire Strikes Back. (Check out the 7:24 mark on this video to hear it for yourself.)

Shredding Maul – Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3

Tony Hawk hung out with some pretty famous faces, if his Pro Skater series of games was any indication. In addition to being able to skate as comic-book icons Spider-Man and Wolverine, players could also tear up the streets as Darth Maul. Nobody seemed to pay him any attention, either. Apparently, skateboarding and Sith lording aren't crimes.

Zero Mission – Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

The RC plane sections in GTA: San Andreas are the Jar Jar Binks of missions. Fortunately, you don't always have to pilot the stupid little things. In one mission, CJ has to take down an onslaught of tiny incoming planes with a minigun. After taking down a few, the character Zero (played by David Cross) tells the player "Great kid, don't get cocky," channeling the perpetually quotable Han Solo from A New Hope. (Check it out here at the 2:07 mark.)

Light Savers – Dead Rising Series

Lightsabers are one of the best weapons devised. They're shiny, they make amazing "Whoosh" sounds, and they're available in a variety of colors. They're also technically the property of Lucasfilm. That hasn't stopped a variety of games from creating homages to the energy blades, including Super Smash Bros., No More Heroes, and the Dead Rising series. Dead Rising earns extra points for showing a degree of dismemberment that even official Star Wars games have shied away from. (It's OK; they're already dead.)

The Gang's All Here – Final Fantasy Series

Biggs and Wedge have appeared in several Final Fantasy games throughout the years. While they're typically third-string soldiers in the games, and references to Biggs Darklighter and Wedge Antilles, starfighters who both fought in the Battle of Yavin.

Hanging Around – Duke Nukem 3D

Duke Nukem 3D was filled with references to games and movies, including this bizarre Star Wars Easter egg. Luke technically wasn't wearing stormtrooper armor when he was blindsided by the wampa in The Empire Strikes Back, but it's the thought that counts.

Wampa Redux – The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

This cave might look like a simple bone pit, but look closer. Notice the rib cage suspended upside-down, and the sword? Cute! Well, maybe not for the victim.

Space Wars – Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster Busts Loose

This SNES platformer devoted an entire level to a Star Wars homage. Its final stage featured duck-billed stormtroopers, Duck Vader, and a massive background space battle. 

Art Lover – Luigi's Mansion

Mario is trapped in a painting in Luigi's Mansion, much like Han Solo's carbonite-encased fate in Return of the Jedi. To drive it home, King Boo gloats over his prize, saying "I like Mario exactly where he is!" He's like Jabba with a crown, and less drool.

Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments!