References to Sega/Video games

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The success of Sega's multiple video game franchises has resulted in the company becoming one of the world's most-recognizable video game developers, and established a legacy which continues to grow to this day. As a result, references to Sega have appeared in a number of video games, including those developed by other companies. Titles like Space Harrier resulted in a boom of rail-shooters for other platforms, such as Alantia for the PC-88 and Jinmu Denshou for the PC Engine, among many others. Additionally, the success of the company's Super Scaler arcade titles paved the way for titles like Taito's Galactic Storm and Top Speed, and served as loose inspiration for later titles like Night Striker.

Sega has also directly included its past franchises in titles like Sega Superstars, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, Sonic Pinball Party, and others, while rhythm games like Samba de Amigo feature songs taken from past titles like After Burner and OutRun. Other titles, like the cult favorite Segagaga and the Project X Zone series, build themselves around these inclusions, with later franchises like Sega Hard Girls taking this idea to a new level.

For references specific to Sonic the Hedgehog, see References to Sonic in video games.

Video games

Game	System	Release date	Description	Screenshots
Star Wars	Family Computer	1987-12-04	Namco's 1987 Family Computer game Star Wars is largely a clone of Alex Kidd in Miracle World, released one year prior. In particular, both games feature identical gameplay mechanics, enemy patterns, items, graphical effects, destructible block types, and even a motorcycle segment with identical controls. The games' project manager, Shinichiro Okamoto, had previously taken inspiration from the original film in his 1985 Family Computer game Star Luster (which features a cameo from the Death Star.
Attack Animal Gakuen	Family Computer	1987-12-26	The 1987 Family Computer rail-shooter Attack Animal Gakuen takes significant inspiration from Sega's 1985 arcade game Space Harrier in gameplay and character design, among other smaller details.
Kenseiden	Master System	1988-06-02	The face of Alex Kidd makes a cameo appearance in the game's third round, Nagato, hidden near a pit of lava.
Altered Beast	Arcade	1988-06	The names of both Alex Kidd and Stella (both from Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars) appear on gravestones in the first round of Altered Beast.
Cosmic Epsilon	Family Computer	1989-11-24	The 1989 Family Computer rail-shooter Cosmic Epsilon takes significant inspiration from Sega's 1985 arcade game Space Harrier in gameplay and character design, among other smaller details.
Axel's Magic Hammer	Amiga, Atari ST	1989	The 1989 Core Design action-platform game Axel's Magic Hammer is largely a clone of the earlier Alex Kidd in Miracle World, even taking direct inspiration from Alex's name in the title.
Sonic the Hedgehog	Mega Drive	1991-06	The bird Flicky, star of the 1984 arcade game of the same name, makes a recurring appearance throughout the franchise as one of the Animals rescued from Dr. Eggman's Capsules.
Summer Carnival '92 Recca (サマーカーニバル'92 烈火)	Family Computer	1992-07-17	An unused introduction sequence with a familiar "S?GA" logo and jingle exists in the game. It comes onto the screen, explodes and is replaced with a "Nint?ndo" one. To re-enable the sequence, use the Game Genie codes IEUSTGAA, AXUSYKGG, NKKIAGEI and KSKIPGUI. Then hold  START  before the Naxat Soft logo appears.
Tom and Jerry: The Movie	Master System	1992-10-01	The Master System version of the game features posters of both Sonic the Hedgehog adorning a few walls besides a "Restaurant Sega" in the game's third level, while the Game Gear version features posters of Sonic and Fantasy Zone's Opa-Opa.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball	Mega Drive	1993-11-23	Sega Technical Institute artist Tom Payne recycled assets from his unreleased Mega Drive title B-Bomb for use in the Sonic Spinball stage The Machine.
Disney's Aladdin	Mega Drive	1993-11	Sega Mega Drives can be seen among the various objects in the background of the Inside the Lamp stage.
Torarete Tamaruka!?	Game Gear	1994-06-03	An in-game store features Sonic the Hedgehog and Dr. Eggman plushies, alongside boxed Japanese Mega Drive systems.
Uniracers	Super Famicom	1994-12	If the user attempts to call themselves "SEGA" (or "SONIC"), a "NOT COOL ENOUGH" message appears.
Alien Soldier	Mega Drive	1995-02-24	As the spiritual successor to Gunstar Heroes, Alien Soldier features a number of homages to said game, including a return from a transforming Seven Force-styled boss, and an arrangement of the Gunstar Heroes song "Dice-Dance-Days".
Nekketsu Oyako	Saturn	1995-07-21	Nekketsu Oyako features a number of humorous item pickups throughout the game, such as a complete Sega Saturn system. In the PlayStation port, the pickup has been fittingly replaced with a PlayStation system.
Tenchi Muyou! Ryououki Gokuraku CD-ROM for Sega Saturn	Saturn	1995-09-29	One scene presents the character Washuu in Virtua Fighter-esque polygons, doing Pai's crane stance win pose against the background of Jacky's stage, and quoting Akira's win quote by saying "Juu Nen Hayaindayo."
Sonic Dragon	Super A'Can	1995	The 1995 Sonic the Hedgehog clone Sonic Dragon features a Special Stage heavily inspired by Space Harrier.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars	Super Famicom	1996-03-09	In the first battle against the enemy Jackie (known as Jinx in the North American version), the Japanese enemy message is a direct quote from Virtua Fighter, a popular game in Japanese arcades at the time of Super Mario RPG's development. One of Akira's victory quotes, "10年, 早いんだよ！" (juunen hayainda yo!, literally "you're 10 years too early!"), isn't entirely rare in Japanese entertainment, but its appearance here is written exactly as Akira uses it.
Season of the Sakura	IBM PC	1996	An electronics store sells parodies of popular video game consoles, including a "Sage Seturn".
Burning Rangers	Saturn	1998-02-26	The game features a number of references to Sonic Team's previous titles, including NiGHTS into Dreams. The characters Elliot and Claris appear as rescuable characters, and in-game locations are named after Twin Seeds, Spring Valley, Frozen Bell, and a "Pian Alley" (named after the Nightopians).
Daytona USA 2: Battle on the Edge	Sega Model 3 Step 2.1	1998-05	The game's second track, Joypolis 2020 Amusement Park, is a direct reference to the Joypolis chain of Sega amusement arcades. The Daytona USA 2 Official Guide curiously identifies the track as being GameWorks Studio-themed instead.
Sonic Adventure	Dreamcast	1998-12-23	The stage Casinopolis features a NiGHTS into Dreams pinball table, complete with an Ideya capture mechanic. Additionally, the game introduces Chao (a concept taken from NiGHTS' A-Life system) which players can raise to resemble the characters NiGHTS and Reala.
ChuChu Rocket!	Dreamcast	1999-11-11	The Nightopians from NiGHTS into Dreams are an unlockable skin for the Chuchus, acquired by completing all 50 courses.
Shenmue	Dreamcast	1999-12-29	The in-game gachapon machines award collectible figurines from various Sega franchises. Included are Akira, Jacky, Sarah, Lau, Pai, Wolf, Jeffry, Kage, Wooden Man, and Dural from Virtua Fighter (alongside chibi versions taken from Virtua Fighter Kids, Shun Di and Lion from Virtua Fighter 2, Robo and Mobo from Bonanza Bros., Rent-A-Hero from Rent-A-Hero, Harrier and a B.B Ultra from Space Harrier, Myao from Phantasy Star, a Chicken Leg from Golden Axe, Ristar from Ristar, Alex Kidd from Alex Kidd in Miracle World, the Try-Z from Galaxy Force, the Solo Wing from Panzer Dragoon, NiGHTS and a Ruber from NiGHTS into Dreams, the Hornet from Daytona USA, the unofficial Dreamcast mascot Dreamcasko and her fellow console-themed friends Gear-O, Megadra Brothers, and Sataro-O, an R360, the Saturn games Sega Ages Vol. 2 Space Harrier and a fictional Saturn port of Hang-On, and Sega of Japan's managing director Hidekazu Yukawa.
Eldorado Gate Vol. 1	Dreamcast	2000-10-10	The Eldorado Gate series features a recurring cameo from Dreamcasko.
Sonic Shuffle	Dreamcast	2000-11-14	By playing the game on December 24, NiGHTS (from NiGHTS into Dreams) will replace Lumina Flowlight as the in-game guide.
Sonic Adventure 2	Dreamcast	2001-06-23	The stage City Escape features NiGHTS into Dreams posters, and Radical Highway contains a hotel named after the titular character. Radical Highway's cameos were later replaced for the stage's inclusion in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games. Like the previous game, the player can also raise Chao which resemble the characters NiGHTS and Reala.
Shenmue II	Dreamcast	2001-09-06	In addition to allowing the transfer of most of the first game's gachapon collectibles, Shenmue II adds a number of new Sega-themed figurines. These include the Asphalt Cowboy, Highway Cat, Long Horn, Nihonmaru, Stream Line, Mad Bull, Moon Light, Texas Hawk, and Wild Rose from 18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker, a Ruber and Binsbein from Space Harrier, Opa-opa, Poppors, Coba Beach, Aida II, Heavy Bomb, and the Shop from Fantasy Zone, Alain, Jay, Lina, Talon, and Tereshkova from Outtrigger, Kate, Mat, Max, Ryan, Spike, and Yuki from Sega Water Ski, Tangram, Bradtos, Ajim, Temjin, 10/80, Grys-vok, Stein-vok, Bal-Bados, Angelan, Ajim, Apharmd, Bradtos, Cypher, Dordray, Fei-yen, Raiden, Specianeff, and Tangram from Cyber Troopers Virtual-On, the F14-XX from After Burner, miniature deluxe OutRun, Hang On, After Burner, and Space Harrier cabinets, and the Dreamcast Controller's , , , and buttons.
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos	Windows PC	2002-07-03	Two in-game cheat codes, allyourbasearebelongtous and somebodysetupusthebomb, both reference the popular meme All Your Base Are Belong To Us from the infamous English translation of Zero Wing.
Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II	GameCube	2002-09-12	The character of NiGHTS (from NiGHTS into Dreams) makes a cameo appearance in an Episode 2 quest, alongside the Nightopians (known in-game as Pians) and a Spring Valley-themed NiGHTS minigame.
Futurama	PlayStation 2	2003-08-01	By unlocking a very obscure easter egg, players are able to display Zero Wing's famous All Your Base Are Belong To Us, complete with accompanying speech.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg	GameCube	2003-10-09	A number of Sega-themed Egg Animals can be hatched from the game's special Sonic Team Egg, including a Kapu Kapu from ChuChu Rocket!, NiGHTS from NiGHTS into Dreams, Amigo from Samba de Amigo, and a Rappy from Phantasy Star. Additionally, the final boss attacks with an orb which resembles NiGHTS's White Ideya, and players can even acquire the NiGHTS-themed Circus Hat item.
Phantasy Star Online Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution	GameCube	2003-11-27	A number of the game's Cards feature direct cameos from Sega characters and products, such as a Chu Chu and Kapu Kapu from Chu Chu Rocket, Opa-Opa from Fantasy Zone, and a Nightopian from NiGHTS into Dreams (known in-game as a Pian), alongside a Mega Drive, Saturn, and Dreamcast.
Sonic Battle	Game Boy Advance	2003-12-04	NiGHTS (from NiGHTS into Dreams) makes a cameo appearance in the Speed Demon minigame, seen flying in the background.
Feel the Magic: XY/XX	Nintendo DS	2004-12-02	A number of unlockable accessories are available, such as one based on NiGHTS from NiGHTS into Dreams, Amitie from Puyo Puyo, Sonic the Hedgehog and a Chao from Sonic the Hedgehog, and Ulala from Space Channel 5.
Master Burner	Windows PC	2005-02	The 2005 Touhou Project fangame Master Burner is directly inspired by After Burner in presentation and gameplay, and was released in a box mimicking the Sega Ages 2500 series.
3rd Super Robot Wars Alpha: To the End of the Galaxy	PlayStation 2	2005-07-28	Ryuusei Date, member of the SRX Team and pilot of the Real Personal Trooper Type-1 mech, has adapted some of Virtua Fighter's Akira's lines in his battle phrases - in fact, the two share the same voice actor.
Shadow the Hedgehog	GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox	2005-11-15	NiGHTS (from NiGHTS into Dreams) makes a cameo appearance on a billboard in the stage Lethal Highway.
Project Gotham Racing 3	Xbox 360	2005-11-22	As the game attempts to recreate real-world locations, GameWorks Las Vegas (then owned by Sega) is fully modelled. GameWorks is also advertised throughout the game (including in London and Tokyo, despite GameWorks not trading in the UK or Japan).	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Sonic Riders	GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox	2006-02-21	NiGHTS (from NiGHTS into Dreams), AiAi (from Monkey Ball), and Ulala (from Space Channel 5) make cameo appearances as playable characters. Additionally, NiGHTS' Extreme Gear is named after the stage Night Sky, and the Twin Seeds tower appears in both the Sega Carnival and Sega Illusion circuits.
Kid Speedy	Flash	2006-07-10	In the Homestar Runner Flash game Kid Speedy, the ending scene with Marzipan and Homestar Runner driving into the sunset pays homage to OutRun.
High Voltage Software games	PlayStation 2	2006	The introductory cutscene which accompanies the developer's logo features a child playing a Dreamcast.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade	Windows PC	2007-01-16	The quest Setting Up the Bomb references the popular meme All Your Base Are Belong To Us from the infamous English translation of Zero Wing.
Super Robot Wars: Original Generations	PlayStation 2	2007-07-28	Ryuusei Date, member of the SRX Team and pilot of the Real Personal Trooper Type-1 mech, has adapted some of Virtua Fighter's Akira's lines in his battle phrases - in fact, the two share the same voice actor.
Project Gotham Racing 4	Xbox 360	2007-10-02	Las Vegas returns from Project Gotham Racing 3, along with GameWorks Las Vegas.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
The Simpsons Game	Xbox 360	2007-10-30	One challenge features Lisa Simpson platforming through a reference to the classic arcade game Frogger. The game's trailer claims The Simpsons Game is coming to "every platform ever made", and in its original guise listed the Sega Dreamcast among many other discontinued platforms. This was "fixed" in future trailers to only show the real platforms.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity	PlayStation 2, Wii	2008-01-08	NiGHTS (from NiGHTS into Dreams), alongside Billy Hatcher from Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg and Amigo from Samba de Amigo, make cameo appearances as playable characters.
Sega Splash! Golf	Windows PC	2008-04-23	The game features a number of golf caddies from popular Sega franchises, such as Sonic and Tails from Sonic the Hedgehog, NiGHTS from NiGHTS into Dreams, Ulala from Space Channel 5, Opa-Opa from Fantasy Zone, and a Puyo from Puyo Puyo.
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King	Windows PC	2008-11-13	The sewers of the city of Dalaran are home to a shark named Segacedi with the title Sewer Shark, a reference to both the Sega CD and the infamous FMV rail shooter Sewer Shark. Additionally, two of the game's achievements are titled Set Up Us the Bomb (10 player) and Set Up Us the Bomb (25 player), references to the popular meme All Your Base Are Belong To Us from the infamous English translation of Zero Wing.
Sonic Unleashed	Xbox 360	2008-11-20	Both a Dreamcast and a copy of NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams are briefly seen within Dr. Eggman's Egg Mobile.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Game Center CX: Arino no Chousenjou 2	Nintendo DS, Nintendo Switch	2009-02-26	The ENTER-M2000 video game console used to play Mutekiken Kung-Fu is a parody of the Sega Mark III.
Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA	PlayStation Portable	2009-07-02	One of Megurine Luka's available costumes is the "VF Suit" - Sarah's original outfit from Virtua Fighter.
Bayonetta	Xbox 360	2009-10-29	Bayonetta can perform the attack Tetsuzankou (performed by Virtua Fighter 2's Akira), which uses the same button combination and attack quote of “Juunen Hayaindayo!"
Phantasy Star Portable 2	PlayStation Portable	2009-12-03	The game includes two costumes based on both the character of NiGHTS and the Nightopians (from NiGHTS into Dreams), and also features an appearance from Dreamcasko as a grenade launcher.
No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise	PlayStation 3	2010-04-15	In the PlayStation 3 port of No More Heroes, the Nintendo 64 in Travis' apartment has been replaced with a Mega Drive CD 32X combo, with accompanying control pad.
Alpha Protocol	Windows PC	2010-05-27	Located in both the Saudi Arabia and Rome safehouses is a fictional video game console based on the Saturn, but curiously boasting a mismatched black frontplate with four Dreamcast controller ports.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Master Burner Climax	Windows PC	2010-12-31	The 2010 follow-up to Master Burner features much less inspiration from After Burner, but does directly take its name from 2006's After Burner Climax.
Sonic Generations (Nintendo 3DS)	Nintendo 3DS	2011-12-01	The NiGHTS into Dreams-themed hotel (from Sonic Adventure 2's Radical Highway reappears in the same stage.
Game Type	Xbox Live Arcade	2011-12	One of the stage backgrounds features a video game system similar to a Dreamcast.
Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure	Nintendo 3DS	2012-01-19	One of the game's secret overworld sounds is titled "Merry-Go Round", which plays a brief section of the NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams song "Merry Memory Go Round". Additionally, minigames themed around Space Channel 5 and Samba de Amigo are able to be played.
Samurai & Dragons	PlayStation Vita	2012-03-29	A number of characters from past Sega franchises make cameos, including NiGHTS from NiGHTS into Dreams, Beat from Jet Set Radio, Ulala from Space Channel 5, AiAi from Monkey Ball, Akira Yuki from Virtua Fighter, Ryo Hazuki from Shenmue, Bayonetta from Bayonetta, Kazuma Kiryu from Yakuza, and Sakura Shinguji from Sakura Wars, among others.
Skullgirls	Windows PC	2012-04-10	A 2021 update introduced an easter egg in which Umbrella's living umbrella Hungern turns into the boss Gillwing (from NiGHTS into Dreams for a single frame while attacking. This cameo seemingly went unnoticed until revealed by the artist responsible on April 5, 2022.
Phantasy Star Online 2	Windows PC	2012-07-04	The game features a statue of NiGHTS (from NiGHTS into Dreams).
Super Danganronpa 2: Sayonara Zetsubō Gakuen	PlayStation Portable	2012-07-26	The device on which Monokuma displays Guilty verdicts closely resembles a Game Gear.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Saints Row IV	Windows PC	2013-08-20	A virtual reality simulation created by the enemy, Saints of Rage, serves as a fairly-developed minigame later throughout the story, and takes obvious inspiration in name, gameplay, and style from the popular Streets of Rage series.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Sonic Lost World	Wii U	2013-10-24	A NiGHTS into Dreams-themed DLC stage titled Nightmare Zone features Sonic fighting the Deadly Six, all of whom ride bosses from the game. Additionally, Wizeman, Reala, and the Nightopians make cameos appearances in the same stage. Nightmare Zone is the only DLC Zone to reappear in the game's 2015 Windows PC port, likely due to it not being based on a Nintendo-owned franchise.
Gran Turismo 6	PlayStation 3	2013-12-06	On the modern Fuji Speedway tracks (F, GT), there are advertisements for Sonic the Hedgehog and Sega Sammy on the billboard bridge directly following the finish line.
Sonic Robo Blast 2	Windows PC	2014-03-15	Version 2.1 of the popular Windows PC fangame Sonic Robo Blast 2 (released March 15, 2014) introduced Special Stages directly based on NiGHTS into Dreams in both gameplay and appearance.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax	Arcade	2014-03-18	Alongside various Sonic the Hedgehog references, the 2014 fighting game Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax features cameo appearances from NiGHTS, Opa-Opa, a Morolian, and a bevy of Sega-produced hardware.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Game Center CX: 3-Choume no Arino	Nintendo 3DS	2014-03-20	The King V3 video game console used to play Zaurus Boy is a parody of the Sega Mark III, both being introduced by Masayuki Kibe, a Sega fan in real life. Zaurus Boy is a tribute to Wonder Boy.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS	Nintendo 3DS	2014-09-13	Bayonetta can perform the attack Tetsuzankou (performed by Virtua Fighter 2's Akira), which uses the same attack quote of “Juunen Hayaindayo!"
Bayonetta 2	Wii U	2014-09-20	Bayonetta can perform the attack Tetsuzankou (performed by Virtua Fighter 2's Akira), which uses the same attack quote of “Juunen Hayaindayo!", and the After Burner Kick, a reference to the Sega series of the same name.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U	Wii U	2014-11-21	Bayonetta can perform the attack Tetsuzankou (performed by Virtua Fighter 2's Akira), which uses the same attack quote of “Juunen Hayaindayo!"
Sonic Runners	Android, iOS	2015-02-26	NiGHTS, Reala, Nightopians, the Red Ideya, and a Christmas NiGHTS theme (all taken from NiGHTS into Dreams) appear as limited-time Buddies.
Rodea the Sky Soldier	Wii	2015-04-02	The 2015 Wii title Rodea the Sky Soldier, developed by Yuji Naka of Prope, features a gameplay style loosely inspired by his earlier game NiGHTS into Dreams.
Duck Game	Windows PC	2015-06-04	The game draws heavy influence from the Sega Mega Drive in its presentation, even displaying a parody of the TradeMark Security System screen at startup while using a font based on the screen for its menus. Its soundtrack heavily uses instruments and samples from a variety of Mega Drive games, including Comix Zone, ToeJam & Earl, Earthworm Jim and Sonic the Hedgehog 3.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax Ignition	Arcade	2015-07-28	Like the previous game, various Sega characters and products make cameo appearances in stage backgrounds.
The Lab	Windows PC	2016-04-05	One of the game's "relics" is the arcade game Xortex 26XX, which boasts a name and cabinet design inspired by Zaxxon.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild	Wii U	2017-03-03	The pedestals which update Link's Sheikah Slate are covered with runes reading "All Your Base Are Belong To Us" in the in-game language - a reference to the infamous English translation of Zero Wing.
Sonic Mania	Windows PC	2017-08-15	Sonic Mania features a number of references to both Sonic the Hedgehog and Sega. Among these is a neon sign reading Pink Bot (in the style of Streets of Rages Pine Pot diner), a television broadcast truck bearing the livery of Daytona USAs Hornet car, a boss which utilizes attacks and sound effects from The Secret of Shinobi, and a direct reference to the famous ad campaign Genesis Does.
Cuphead	Windows PC	2017-09-29	While Cuphead as a whole takes notable inspiration from classic run and guns (particularly Gunstar Heroes), several of the game's bosses are inspired by fights from Mega Drive titles, such as the encounter with Katzenwagen recreating a similar fight from 1995's The Adventures of Batman & Robin.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Sonic Forces	Windows PC	2017-11-09	Players can purchase costumes based on NiGHTS (from NiGHTS into Dreams) AiAi (from Monkey Ball, Amitie (from Puyo Puyo), Beat (from Jet Set Radio), and Joker from Persona 5 as DLC.
Shenmue I & II	PlayStation 4	2018-11-22	The majority of the gachapon collectibles from the first two games are included in the 2018 remaster Shenmue I & II. However, the four Dreamcasko-related figurines have been replaced with generic representations of a Mega Drive, Game Gear, Saturn, and Dreamcast.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	Nintendo Switch	2018-12-07	A Spirit featuring the main characters from 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim appeared in 2024 through updates (the Spirit itself is not represented by its game name for unknown reasons).
The Last of Us Part II	PlayStation 4	2020-06-19	One of the more memorable locations visited throughout the course of the game is the decaying GameWorks Seattle.
Balan Wonderworld	Windows PC	2021-03-26	Yuji Naka's 2021 action platform game Balan Wonderworld takes thematic inspiration from Sonic Team's 1996 Sega Saturn title NiGHTS into Dreams, particularly in regards to its character designs and overall story.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Security Breach: Fury's Rage	Windows PC	2021-04-28	The Five Nights at Freddy's spin-off game Security Breach: Fury's Rage drawn thematic inspiration from the Streets of Rage series, featuring similar story scenes, character appearances, and an emphasis on neon-lit streetscapes, among others.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Sonic Colours: Ultimate	Windows PC	2021-09-09	NiGHTS (from NiGHTS into Dreams) makes a cameo appearance in two profile icons: one of NiGHTS wearing their normal outfit, and another wearing their Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams outfit.
Deltarune: Chapter 2	Windows PC	2021-09-17	One of the game's areas features multiple Chu Chu Rocket-inspired puzzles.
Shin Megami Tensei V	Nintendo Switch	2021-11-11	The game features a number of fictional in-universe video game consoles, such as the Segata III and CX-1000 II.
Air Twister	iOS	2022-06-24	Yu Suzuki's spiritual follow-up to Space Harrier features a number of direct homages to the original franchise, such as a protagonist who flies through the air while holding their weapon, highly-abstract scenery, familiar enemies, and remarkably similar gameplay.
Pizza Tower	Windows PC	2023-01-26	The game's soundtrack features a number of references to the music of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, particularly by building its own soundtrack with similar motifs and utilizing the same samples used by Sega's composers. Among these allusions is the reuse of the "I don't understand what's going on here" sample (taken from the 1953 film Donovan's Brain) used by the Jet Set Radio song "Sneakman" in the Pizza Tower song "Yeehaw Deliveryboy", and a compiled medley of Jet Set samples featured in "The Noise's Jam-Packed Radical Anthem".	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog	Windows PC	2023-03-31	A Super Monkey Ball arcade cabinet is found broken in the train's saloon, and serves as one of the investigation's minor plot points. Additionally, the character NiGHTS (from NiGHTS into Dreams) makes an appearance on the ceiling of the game room, seemingly advertising the game NiGHTS Pinball.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Sonic Superstars	Windows PC	2023-10-17	A robotic version of NiGHTS (from NiGHTS into Dreams) appears as an unlockable bonus.
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk	Windows PC	2023-08-18	The 2023 game Bomb Rush Cyberfunk takes significant inspiration from the Jet Set Radio series, and notably features a soundtrack including songs from Jet Set's original composer Hideki Naganuma. Additionally, in-game fast travel is achieved by calling a reckless, fast-driving taxi cab similar to Crazy Taxi.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;"> <div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Tetris Forever	PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Nintendo Switch Xbox One Xbox Series X Steam GOG	2024-11-12	Footage of Henk Rogers playing the Sega Master System version of Shanghai in The 1988 Personal Computer Show can be seen in the documentary of Tetris Forever, through Chapter 2: Tetris Breaks Free on the subchapter Becoming A Publisher. Several other Master System games are shown in the footage, such as Casino Games. Further chapters also shows footage of Henk Rogers in the International Consumer Electronics Show with certain Master System games being shown. Another subchapter, called Tetris (SEGA, Arcade) is also dedicated to the System 16 version of Tetris in Japan, involving an interview with Tetsuya Mizuguchi. The flyer of the game is also featured in the compilation.
Strike Blazinger	Windows PC	In development	Created by Chris Tang, Strike Blazinger is an in-development rail shooter which takes direct inspiration from Space Harrier in appearance and gameplay.
Hyenas	Windows PC	Unreleased	The cancelled game Hyenas would have featured a character cosplaying as Sonic the Hedgehog, boasting a sticker of the Sega logo on their helmet.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">
Sonic X-treme	Saturn	Unreleased	During the latter half of Sonic X-treme's troubled development, the game contained circularly-oriented boss fights directly inspired by the Core Guard System fight from the 1993 Mega Drive title Gunstar Heroes.

Hidden and deleted references

Game	System	Release date	Description	Screenshots
Captain America and the Avengers	Game Boy	1994-02	Stored with the copyright text at 000XC0D1 is the following string: LICENSED BY SEGA ENTERPRISES, LTD. Similar text can be found in the Game Gear port, but instead referencing Nintendo, seemingly used a catch-all for both versions.
Pocket Monsters: Red / Pocket Monsters: Green	Game Boy	1996-02-27	Development material for the released game reveals the first generation of Pokémon games was originally intended to include a trainer by the name of Jack - a reference both in name and design to the popular Virtua Fighter character Jacky. Said trainer was likely intended to be the trainer counterpart to the virtual polygon Pokémon Porygon.
Sonic Mania	Windows PC	2017-08-15	Alongside the slew of Sega references in the released game, even more are hidden within Sonic Mania's code. Notably, the game features an unused graphic referencing the Model 1 Mega Drive "Tower of Power", an unused boss which challenges the player to rock-paper-scissors (like Alex Kidd in Miracle World), an unused "Love Tester" item taking its name from the 1972 arcade machine of the same name, and an unused printer mechanic whose product code (SP-500) is intended to reference the 4 Color Plotter Printer (despite accidentally using the product code for the Sports Pad).
Pizza Tower	Windows PC	2023-01-26	The unused stage Kung Fu takes thematic inspiration from Sega's popular Streets of Rage series, including gameplay staples common to beat-'em'up games - like requiring the defeat of oncoming waves of enemies before being able to progress.	<div class="bobtransform" style="transform:scale(1,); transform-origin:0% 0%; !important;"> <div style="width:200px; height:px;">