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. 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 Famicom 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 Famicom game Star Luster (which features a cameo from the Death Star.
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.
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/Unirally	Super Famicom	1994-12	If the user attempts to call themselves "SEGA" (or "SONIC"), a "NOT COOL ENOUGH" message appears.
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 by saying "Juu Nen Hayaindayo."
Sonic Dragon	Super A'Can	1995	The 1995 Sonic the Hedgehog clone Sonic Dragon features a bonus stage heavily inspired by Space Harrier.
Super Mario RPG	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.
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.
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	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.
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.
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).
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.
High Voltage Software games	PlayStation 2	2006	The introductory cutscene which accompanies the developer's logo features a child playing a Dreamcast.
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade	Windows	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.
The Simpsons Game	Xbox 360	2007-10-30	One challenge features Lisa Simpson platforming through a reference to the classic arcade game Frogger.
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	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.
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	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.
Game Type	Xbox Live Arcade	2011	One of the stage backgrounds features a video game system similar to a Dreamcast.
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.
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).
Saints Row IV	Windows	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.
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 a series of bonus stages directly based on NiGHTS into Dreams in both gameplay and appearance.
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.
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.
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	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.
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	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, Nintendo Switch	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
Cuphead	Windows	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.
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.
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	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.
Security Breach: Fury's Rage	Windows	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.
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	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.
Pizza Tower	Windows	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".
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog	Windows	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.
Hyenas	Windows	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.
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	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.

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	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.