Bayonetta 3 is full of that Umbra witch magic and combat prowess that players were so fond of in the first two installments of the series. With new abilities, more places to explore, and additional characters, there's more going on in this game than in the previous two, keeping players distracted from the finer details.
With the fast-paced, non-stop action, players are sure to miss the many hidden easter eggs strewn throughout Bayonetta 3. Some are subtle, while others are full-on direct references to other game franchises. Players who missed any of these on their first playthrough can always go back to see if they can find them, as all chapters can be replayed.
8 A Nod To The Coffee Lovers
This hidden gem is extremely subtle, and only the most discerning eye will catch it. There's a location called the Perseus Cafe, and its logo looks a little bit familiar. This will be quickly recognized by those who drink coffee daily from a certain popular chain.
The logo for the Perseus Cafe features the same color scheme and a very similar design to that of the Starbucks logo. While the Perseus Cafe features Medusa's head instead of the Starbucks siren, the similarities are quite striking.
7 Wonderful 101 Reference
As Bayonetta is exploring, players may notice that the Shibuya department store has been renamed. What was once 109 is now 101 Wonder. This is a quick detail that many may miss, but it's a tribute to a game developed by Platinum Games.
Wonderful 101 was originally created for the Wii U and remastered for Steam in 2020. It involves a group of heroes from around the world uniting to stop an alien invasion. This game, like Bayonetta 3, was also directed by Hideki Kamiya.
6 The Scene From Devil May Cry
This easter egg is hard to miss but may not be understood by everyone unless they are also Devil May Cry fans. There's a cut scene when Bayonetta meets Phantasmaraneae, a spider demon. While speaking to the demon, she lifts her hand and knocks on its head.
Fans will reminisce about the time in Devil May Cry when Dante had a nearly identical interaction with the spider Phantom. Players will even recognize Bayonetta using some of the same lines. What's interesting to note is that both games were created by Hideki Kamiya, which likely explains the reference.
5 Thriller Zombies
When the dead soldiers rise from the ground and begin dancing in Chapter 12, players may have recognized the reference. Of course, Bayonetta soon wreaks havoc, destroying everything around her as she aims to complete her mission.
For those who didn't recognize the reference or weren't paying attention, this verse is a nod to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video. Right down to the well-choreographed dance moves and zombies, everything matches up perfectly to be an excellent tribute to the famous song and video.
4 A Certain Space Opera
When Bayonetta summons the true form of Baal, called Baal Zebul, players will use the infernal demon's voice to fend off enemies. While it's not exactly the same and the characters are definitely different, this scene bears a striking similarity to a space opera performed long ago.
In The Fifth Element, the story took the heroes to a blue alien who was guarding one of the precious stones they were after. While waiting to meet with her, they experienced the amazing performance she had to deliver. The similarities between the two performances are uncanny.
3 Sin Gomorrah Or Shin Godzilla?
Bayonetta's first infernal demon in the game is Gomorrah, which she will eventually be able to transform into Sin Gomorrah. Players may notice a few characteristics about this demon that seem a little bit familiar. Even the setting in which the Infernal Demon fights is reminiscent of another location.
In 2016, there was a movie called Shin Godzilla. Godzilla from this movie is the direct inspiration for Sin Gomorrah. They have similar screeches, and Godzilla has purple atomic breath, unlike any other movie, which matches Sin Gomorrah's purple laser.
2 Voltron In Bayonetta?
Cruel Altea is a set of gauntlets and greaves that protect the Infernal Demon Labolas. When used offensively, each part can detach to attack the enemy from medium range. What's interesting about this get-up is the color scheme and details. It looks a bit familiar.
In Beat King GoLion, part of the Voltron series, the details of GoLion's design are nearly perfectly matched to Cruel Altea. From animal-themed weaponry to the same colors on the same limbs, it's clearly an intended reference. Not to mention Altea was the planet the anime took place on, which explains the name Cruel Altea.
1 The Terminator
At one point when Bayonetta defeats a boss, it is dropped into molten hot liquid where it slowly melts. The last remaining body part that the player will see is its hand, sporting a thumbs-up. This is an iconic reference to an old favorite that many may not have caught.
In Terminator 2, the T-800, more commonly known as the Terminator, similarly falls into a vat of molten liquid. As he burns and melts, he raises his right hand in a thumbs up to John Connor. While this is not the first game to reference this movie in such a way, it is still clear where this scene came from.
Bayonetta 3 is available now on Nintendo Switch.