Holiday easter eggs

[Graham Mitchell]

So, I booted up Cave Story yesterday on my DSi, and lo and behold, the protagonist is wearing a Santa Claus Hat! Not a big deal, but kind of neat. I assume thet game is designed to do this when the system clock's date is 12/25.

This reminded me of a few other games that did stuff like this. After the Saturn came out (which is the first console I remember having an internal clock) Sega did this with a few games. If I remember correctly Clockwork Knight (can't remember if it's 1 or 2) had special holiday-themed title screens when the system clock was set to the appropriate date.

Ready 2 Rumble Boxing on the Dreamcast had some fun surprises too. I remember the audience consisting of skeletons on Halloween, for example.

In a non-holiday, but similar example, I remember Eternal Darkness on the Gamecube going seriously ape shit if you played the game around midnight.

Is anybody aware of any other games that have easter eggs like this? I posted this in the Modern Gaming forum because this is sort of a phenomenon exclusive to newer machines with system clocks.

Oh, and Happy Holidays, ya'll!

[Doonzmore]

Scooby Doo: Night of 100 Frights has a similar easter egg. Depending on the system clock date, there's snow, floating hearts, fireworks, etc.

It's easily the best Scooby Doo game. Even if you're not a fan, it's easy to see the labor and respect payed towards the show.

[Darren870]

Same with Simpsons Road Rage. Depending on the system clock certain features/costumes would unlock for the holidays

[Swamperon]

Hmmmmm:

Sonic Shuffle: NiGHTS/Reala appear on Christmas/April 1st

NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams: Different event each month in the virtual world.

Is that true about Eternal Darkness?! I did not know this!

[kupomogli]

On Gurumin, you can check the closet during Christmas to get a Santa outfit.

http://img.qj.net/uploads/articles_module2/76778/018_psd_jpgcopy_qjpreviewth.jpg

Also, on the Gamecube version of Animal Crossing, there's a reindeer in a Santa outfit that appears on Christmas Eve.

[Graham Mitchell]

Is that true about Eternal Darkness?! I did not know this!

In my experience I only saw the craziest, trippiest shit (like walking on the celing or the Windows blue screen) when playing the game very late at night. During the day I'd mostly get flies or the "Please plug in the controller" message. I haven't researched it, but this was my hunch.

[Scissors]

I was playing DS Kageyama Method - Dennou Hanpuku: Tadashii Kanji Kakitori-Kun (one of those Japanese Kanji practice games) yesterday and Kageyama (the little cartoon teacher in the game) was dressed as Santa and wished me a merry Christmas.

[skaar]

Scissors you mind PMing me a list of games you'd recommend for kanji practice? My girlfriend's been learning japanese and I'd like to get some of those for her.

[jb143]

D/Generation replaces a plant sprite with a Christmas tree sprite.

[SpaceHarrier]

http://www.pso-world.com/images/items/easteregg.jpg

A bit literal.

Back in the day, Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II (GC/Xbox) had an online event coinciding with Easter where Egg Rappys would replace the regular varieties. Upon defeating them you had a small chance of one dropping an Easter egg (see link). The easter egg, when opened, contained one of several different rare weapons.

Also in the PSO series, whenever a major holiday hit, an appropriate decoration would appear on PIONEER 2 after you started a party (Online only, IIRC). This included a large, metallic looking Christmas tree and a "21" on New Year's (21st century??).

Edit: Perhaps these don't count as they were server-side only, but I couldn't resist..

Also, didn't Animal Crossing: City Folk have alot of events depending on what holidays/season/month you are in?

[Nikademus1969]

Not a videogame, but right now the VideoLAN icon wears a little Santa hat when you run it.

[Leo_A]

I didn't personally confirm this, but I've seen half a dozen people mention Gran Turismo 5's title screen playing Christmas music on the 24th and 25th.

[Nikademus1969]

Stronghold 2 wishes you a Merry Christmas on the menu screen if you play it on the Dec 25th.

[Zoe F]

In Wii Fit Plus, possibly the original Wii Fit as well, the balance board will wear a Santa hat during your body test on Christmas day.

I can also confirm the aforementioned Gran Turismo 5 info. I've had a few different Christmas songs played on the title screen.

[Swamperon]

Another:

Santa Claus will pop up in Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympics during December.

[Graham Mitchell]

D/Generation replaces a plant sprite with a Christmas tree sprite.

Which version? The amiga cd-32? I've got one, with that game but I didn't think the console had a system clock. Ironically, I was playing D/Generation on the day afterChristmas! Lol

[jb143]

Which version? The amiga cd-32? I've got one, with that game but I didn't think the console had a system clock. Ironically, I was playing D/Generation on the day afterChristmas! Lol

The PC version at least. I think it was durring the whole month of december. It's been forever since I played it though. It's the first game I ever remember doing something like this and thought it was the coolest thing back when I first saw it.

[Graham Mitchell]

The PC version at least. I think it was durring the whole month of december. It's been forever since I played it though. It's the first game I ever remember doing something like this and thought it was the coolest thing back when I first saw it.

That is pretty cool. That's such a tragically overlooked game, too. A victim of bad marketing, really. The Amiga version is slightly better than the pc version, too, mostly due to better sound. That low rumble that plays the whole time is pretty ominous coming through my subwoofer.