Ready Player One is heavily peppered with nostalgic references, from vintage games like Battletoads, to classic film references from King Kong. Steven Spielberg’s epic adventure is available on Digital Download July 23 and comes to 4K, Blu-Ray™ 3D, Blu-Ray™ and DVD August 6th. To celebrate the release, we’re taking a look at some of the best easter eggs you might’ve missed!
Battletoads
As Parzival leads the rebellion against IOI, they assemble a mass army to fight. Leading the army is the ‘90s video-game favourite, Battletoads. The Nintendo game was created after the surprising success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the late ‘80s.
King Kong
One of the less subtle references, King Kong features in the high-risk car race for the first of Halliday’s keys. The giant gorilla is the biggest obstacle, crushing cars as he swings from buildings and thumps his fists on the track.
Chucky Child’s Play
Aech throws a weapon to Parzival and Art3mis during the final battle scene, which turns out to be a knife wielding Chucky Doll from the frightening Child’s Play horror movies.
Michael Jackson
Whilst Wade is choosing an outfit, he briefly changes into Michael Jackson’s iconic red jacket from the Thriller music video, and even does the classic dance routine.
Madballs
The popular ‘80s toys Madballs features quite a bit in the film, most prominently in the final battle scene, where Art3mis uses a live one as a grenade. They even feature in one of the posters, with Art3mis holding a Horn Head, one of the original Madballs characters.
Joy Division
When Wade meets Samantha for the first time in real life, she wears a Joy Division band T-Shirt in the style of their 1979 Unknown Pleasures album.
And there are many more to spot! Find them at home when the film arrives on Digital Download July 23 and to 4K, Blu-Ray™ 3D, Blu-Ray™ and DVD August 6th, or you can pre-order here.
