It may not be Easter yet, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of cleverly hidden eggs all around us just waiting to be discovered. If you’re a gamer, I'm sure you're familiar with the term “Easter egg”, referring to those special little secrets and surprises planted in games for players to discover. But it turns out that we can come across these hidden gems in real life as well!
Below, you'll find some of our favorite pics from the In Real Life Easter Eggs subreddit, as well as an interview with gaming expert Marshall Gunnell of VGKAMI. Be sure to upvote all of the Easter eggs you would be thrilled to find, and remember to keep an eye out for any in your own life. They're just dying to be uncovered!
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One In The Wall
Everyone loves a pleasant little surprise, whether it’s your partner surprising you with coffee or finding an unexpected $10 bill in your pocket. But when real life starts to feel like a video game and you discover a clever little surprise out of nowhere, just turn to the In Real Life Easter Eggs subreddit to share your joy. This group, which was created in 2015, has amassed an impressive 517k followers over the past 8 years. The rules are simple: only share IRL Easter eggs, don’t repost recent or popular content, and don’t share any barcode posts. But the group is exactly what many of us need: cute clever moments in the most unexpected places.
“You know in games or movies when you find an odd little secret that someone in production left unnoticed for the few in the audience that would look for it or happen to stumble upon it?” the group’s description asks. “This is the place to share those things you find in real life.” The moderators note that this isn’t the area for posting digital Easter eggs, as in screenshots or photographs of screens (games, computer software, TV series, DVD menus), as those are regular Easter eggs. But if you’ve come across something that would make video game designers jealous that they didn’t think of it first, go ahead and share it with the rest of us!
Oh Honey
Ordered A Toy For My Kid. This Was On The Shipping Box
To learn more about the digital versions of Easter eggs that inspired this group in the first place, we reached out to Marshall Gunnell at VGKAMI, an independent online gaming authority, and he was kind enough to have a chat with us. “Easter eggs are definitely an important part of video games, though they aren't essential to the core gameplay mechanics,” he told Bored Panda. “They add an extra layer of enjoyment and immersion to a game by providing a fun surprise for players to discover. They can take many forms, such as secret rooms, hidden levels, or even pop culture references.”
We were also curious why gamers love finding these eggs so much. “Discovering Easter eggs in video games is often a thrilling experience for gamers,” Marshall says. “It feels like you're discovering a secret that no one else has seen before.”
"This 'Mouse Barbershop' I Found In Malmö, Sweden"
My Jeans Have A Little Note In Them
Electrical Easter Egg
“Easter eggs often serve as a form of reward or recognition for players who are paying close attention to the game,” Marshall explained. “Game developers like including Easter eggs in their games because it's a fun way to show off their creativity and engage with the community. Players love sharing their discoveries with others, which helps build a sense of camaraderie and excitement around a game.”
It Says "Thank You Hero" In Spanish, It's The Inside Edge Of My Medical Uniform
Tea Bag Warning
The Tube At The End Of A Roll Of Doggie Poo Bags Says "Use Bare Hand Now"
i use those bag but have never gotten to the end cause my dad throws them out
Marshall also shared his personal favorite Easter egg with Bored Panda: the “Konami Code”, which originated in the 1986 game Gradius, developed by Konami. “The Konami Code is a cheat code that allows players to unlock various bonuses in many Konami games,” he explained. “[It] is entered by pressing a specific, and now very popular, sequence of buttons, ‘up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A,’ followed by the ‘start’ button. The Konami Code has become a cultural phenomenon and has been referenced in numerous other video games, movies, TV shows, and even websites.”
Marshall even knew of some IRL Easter eggs that we can all keep an eye out for. “The hidden Mickeys at Disney theme parks were always fun to seek out. These are small, hidden images of Mickey Mouse that are tucked away in various locations throughout the parks, like on rides, signs, and buildings,” he shared.
A Subtle Nod To A Notting Hill Quote
Somewhere In Mexico
This Hp Sauce Bottle With Big Ben In Scaffolding
HP sauce (houses of parliament) is the sauce of the gods ...love it on just about everything but toast and cheese has got be tried to be believed
“Easter eggs are an important part of video game culture, and they can add to the enjoyment and longevity of a game by rewarding players who are willing to explore and discover hidden secrets,” Marshall told Bored Panda. “Easter eggs can be a way for game developers to express their creativity and add an extra layer of depth and meaning to a game, whether it's through a hidden message or a clever gameplay mechanic. And while some Easter eggs might be more well-known than others, the joy of discovery and the sense of community that comes from sharing and discussing Easter eggs with others is something that many gamers can relate to and appreciate.”
If you’d like to learn even more about Easter eggs when it comes to gaming, you can read more about them on VGKAMI right here!
A Hidden Message On Top Of A Truck
New Mattress, It Almost Kicked My Butt Unboxing It But Like Neo… "I Know Kung Fu Too”
Is It Just Me Or Are These Clothing Manufacturers Becoming Hostile?
When you get a third degree burn from a piece of clothing... 😭
You spill something down it, take it off to wash, already feeling depressed you read this tag and you could fill the machine with your tears
once got a fortune cookie that said "a lit candle frightens no monkeys" and i'm still trying to figure out what it meant 😭😭
Load More Replies...The brand is Social Decay and they make edgy rock and roll and sarcastic graphic tees. (I looked up the RN number)
Exactly and we wonder why there is such a pandemic of apathy.
Load More Replies......"like every other shirt/sweater/whatever" would've been much better than that
OMG I would like to know which retailer/manufacturer think passive aggressive or even just aggressive things like this are amusing, they're not ! There are millions of people out there with mental health problems who don't need to have their negative thoughts confirmed for some idiots amusement.
When it comes to why game developers leave little Easter eggs like these in their games, Juan at KJC eSports says, “The eggs we find in games are unimportant when you look at them logically. However, eggs provide something meaningful to gamers and developers. It is always fun to see something new in our favorite video games, especially knowing that it’s not needed for the game to progress.”
“Easter eggs are usually just elements the developers decided on a whim,” he goes on to write. “The hidden secrets in a game frequently contain something personal about the developer who put it there in the first place. Knowing this just highlights how wholesome the gaming community is, and it assures us that the developers themselves are gamers just like us.” Easter eggs are a great reminder that nobody’s sense of humor or personality vanishes just because they’re at work, designing a game or a piece of clothing. We all love the opportunity to learn more about the people behind these brands, and if we have the chance to include easter eggs of our own, why pass up on the opportunity?
On The Back Of The Microfiber Cloth That Came With My Glasses
These Suggestions To Optimize Enjoyment Of This Beverage
Small Message On The Bottom Of Our Hand Soap
“These added extra hidden elements in a game feel just like little drops of love from the developers themselves to our gamers,” Juan goes on to write. “Personally, the eggs in every game serve as a bridge of connection between myself and the developers. I appreciate that little extra effort that goes along with implementing eggs in a game.”
“The eggs in-game designs bring that extra satisfaction points in surprising players. When players have established expectations for the game, players will have a strong sense of surprise if the results in the experience process far exceed their expectations,” he adds. “For game designers, if they add some elements to the game like Easter eggs, the designer will have a more personal connection with the game and will be more attentive to it. It’s like your own game and the part you designed on your own, not just a game development project you’re involved in.”
Bought Some Shirts Online
Lil Balancing Dude Above A Gate In Tilburg, The Netherlands
The Tag On My New Underwear
If you’re an avid gamer, you’ve likely got some personal favorite Easter eggs of your own. But if you’re wondering where you can find some of the best digital Easter eggs of all time, we’ve got you covered. Dominic Allen at The Gamer wrote a piece last year breaking down some of the most impressive and clever eggs out there. First he mentions one of the most famous Easter eggs and one of the very first video game Easter eggs of all time: Warren Robinett’s name in the game Adventure.
“On difficulties two or three, you must pick up an invisible dot in a tucked-away portion of the map that requires the bridge,” Allen explains. “Once you have the invisible dot go to the right of the golden castle, drop the dot, and make sure that at least two objects are on the screen, too. After that, you can pass through the right wall and see the developer credit. It's a fun process to get the egg, unlike most of the other first Easter Eggs.”
WiFi Symbol At A BBQ Joint
Found This On The Bottom Of A Mug
Amd Chip Smiley
My mind is always blown when I see stuff like this. How did humans come from living in caves to making microscopic chips with millions of details to do millions of task
According to Allen, the very best Easter egg of all time is the Chris Houlihan room in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. He explains that this is not the only time a fan has been included in an Easter egg after winning a contest, but it’s certainly the most legendary. “Reaching the Chris Houlihan room can't be done by traditional means,” Allen writes. “The room is a fail-safe if the game doesn't know where to place you when falling down a hole. As such, the various methods to get to the room are quite unorthodox. Chris Houlihan appeared in the game after winning a Nintendo Power contest. With the game being one of the greatest of all time, his name will forever be known in the pantheon of gaming history.”
I Finally Found One! A Retention Pond Outside The Boeing Factory In Charleston, Sc Has A Plane Shaped Peninsula. Only Visible From Above
Sword In The Stone. England
Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!
This Wet Floor Sign At The Toronto Aquarium
It feels like Easter already! We hope you’re enjoying all of these sneaky little surprises, pandas, and remember to keep your eyes peeled for any you come across in your own lives. You never know where they’ll be hiding… Keep upvoting your favorite Easter eggs from this list, and then if you’re interested in diving even deeper into the world or IRL Easter Eggs, you can find Bored Panda’s last article featuring the same subreddit right here!
This Bag
This Bag Of Cookies Has An Illustration Of Their Staff On The Bottom
Pot Hole Mosaic In Chicago
This Piano Bar Code
The Snow Lizard
The Tag On My Baby's Pants From Old Navy. So Cute!
Little Workers On Damaged Door
The Warning On The Board Game I Bought My Mum For Christmas
On The Bottom Of A Cookie Box
This Tag On My Shirt
Care Instructions On My Dog's Harness
Opened Up My Keyboard And Found This On The Case
One Of The Dots Is A Heart Instead!
Speakers In The Ceiling At My Local Airport
There's A Small Cat Hiding Inside This Paper Bag
This Bottle Of Water Has The Logo Of The Brand (A Small Mountain) Extruded On The Bottom
Something Fishy About These Storm Drains
Changing Battery In My Big Muff Pi Distortion Pedal
My Local Farm Has A Pokemon Themed Corn Maze!
Help!
This Guy
Subtle Detail At A Proctologist's Office. I Haven't Met Him Yet, But I Already Like This Guy
Time Travelers Always Get Stuff Handed To Them…
Space Invaders Was Bricked Into The Exterior Wall Of This House
Found One In My Rental Car
‘A Cat Parent’s Rules For Life’ On The Bottom Of Our Cat Food
Bottom Of An Ipa Can…. Congrats Sean!
The Ceiling Tiles In My Employer's Building Are A Map Of Downtown Detroit, Mi
My LED Headlamp Has A Greeting For Me When I Go To Change The Batteries
Shark In My Car's Glove Box
Interesting Message On A Pillow
Someone Smashed A Tee Marker At This Golf Course Im Playing At And This Was Inside
Be Chill
A Traffic Light Near My Office Is Very Wholesome
The Wash Tag On This Shirt
It looks a bit like someone wrote it with pen but it could be a font. It looks a bit off though, the “e” is not too consistent in some places
Bought A Pair Of Socks From A Local Seller And Found A Recipe For Coconut Sambal; A Local Dish
Found Jabba On A Circuit Board For A Door Operator
On The Bottom Of A Dog Treats Bag
No. No I'm not *Slowly puts bag on shelf* Cleo: What is wrong with you? Cleo-judge...6a900a.jpg
The Name Tag Inside My Son’s Coat
Kermit Peeking Through The Ceiling In My English Class. I Always Wonder How He Got There
Tag, You’re It
Opened A New Box Of Menstrual Discs From A Brand I Haven’t Used Before And Was Met With A Clever Little Message
I'm behind the times... what are menstrual DISCS? I'm visualizing cd's that play soothing tunes... (Using the webpage and not the app, if I Google it, I'll lose my spot and will never find this again as I'm not sure what I searched...)
Behind The Toilet Door At My Gym
Gary Come Home
Schwinn Children's Bicycle Helmet
Found On A Bar Of Soap At The Bookstore
Not Recommended As Contraceptive Device
This Part Of My Bike Is Also A Bottle Opener
Had These Sunglasses For About A Year, Just Noticed This Message On The Cleaning Cloth
i had to sqwint to see and also do the lines move for anyone else
Hidden Underneath A Bigger Tag On The Inside Of My Jeans
Smart Food Knows We're Smart!
Behind Our Humane Society Thrift Shop In An Otherwise Very Typical And Nondescript Alley
This Block Of Wood Holding The Door Open At Msg
Wakanda Forever! The Atlanta Airport Had A Bonus Flight!
The National Cathedral In Washington Dc Has A Carving Of Darth Vader On It. The Design Won Third Place In A Children's Design Competition In The 1980s
She Cute
Michelangelo Grabbing For This Slice Of Pizza!
This Message Giving Me An Existential Crisis On The Tag Of My Teabag!
Note Found Inside Of Plant At IKEA
Wait? No Faces
Interesting Cleaning Instructions On The Bottom Of This Mug…
On The Back Of A Poetry Book
Deodorant I Just Bought Has A Lil Ship On It
This Table At A Wendy’s
On The Bottom Of Our Box Of Who Gives A Crap Toilet Paper
The Tag On My New Shirt
Having just been reading some of those posts of badly placed words I read this as "wash dry or cold low else"...I need coffee
Hole In The Wall In Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurant Has A Secret Message
Snapple Telling Me To “Shake It”
This Hoodie I Just Got Has A Cool Little Egg
Pfft... This is good but I'll be happier if mattress said this. They are the one like, "DoNt RemOVe THe Tag OR ElsE"
Marvel Stadium - Figurine On The Sign
Found On The Back Of A Clark Griswold Cutout At Raising Cane’s
Fun Label On My Cider
Airport Tile In An Out Of The Way Corner
Heart Speaker On The Train Platform ♡ Tokyo
Good Advice On The Bottom Of Venture Skateboarding Trucks
When You Go Out Of Bounds
honestly, I would love to do this. I would take my friends out and we could have fun around the Christmas tree while surrounded by a beautiful woods :3 also it would be a bit spooky but it adds ~character ~
Found On My Bike Trailer Box
Tag On My New Swimsuit
Cheeky Box Of Jammy Dodgers
On My Mike’s Hard Tall Boy
In A Box Of Tampons
Found On The Top Of A Server Network Board Made By Cisco. Not Sure On Its Origins But Cool Nonetheless!
This Neighborhood In Texas Where All The Streets Are References To The TV Show 'Friends'
Found This Whilst On The Toilet
A phrase said by many men who have lost weight and can see their 'old chap' again
A Tiny Texas In My Chocolate Box (Company Based In Texas)
My Fortune Cookie Has Jokes
In The Fly Of My Scrubs
I Work On The Polar Express Experience In A Popular City. This Is What The Label Between Our Cars Say!
For those who don't catch the joke, the PC is the symbol of the old Penn Central... which was notorious for a whole lot of derailments.
NYC
Nice Message On The Bottom Of My Roommate’s Soap
My Friends Roof
Found This In The Pocket Of My Lucky Brand Jeans
The Restaurant I’m At Has “Bacom Ipsum” Instead Of “Lorem Ipsum” For The Fake Newspaper Under The Food
My Sodastream Thinks I’m Checking It Out
On Park Ave
My dog’s food arrives in a box that says on the bottom “break it, fold it, recycle it but please don’t eat the box”. It’s also got a “snoot hole” for the dog to sniff out the food.
Here's an oldie but goody from the motherboard of a Commodore Amiga a500+. (band + song title) :) projekt-am...d3b043.jpg
This is random but I anybody else getting the small feedback quizzes after the articles? I have filled out a handful or so, I hope they are using the feedback accordingly!
Yup. Filled out a couple. Pretty sure it's time wasted.
Load More Replies...years ago I saw a box that had "I am upside down; please turn me over" printed on the bottom
The underneath of Innocent fruit smoothie cartons says 'Stop looking at my bottom' That always makes me chuckle
My dog’s food arrives in a box that says on the bottom “break it, fold it, recycle it but please don’t eat the box”. It’s also got a “snoot hole” for the dog to sniff out the food.
Here's an oldie but goody from the motherboard of a Commodore Amiga a500+. (band + song title) :) projekt-am...d3b043.jpg
This is random but I anybody else getting the small feedback quizzes after the articles? I have filled out a handful or so, I hope they are using the feedback accordingly!
Yup. Filled out a couple. Pretty sure it's time wasted.
Load More Replies...years ago I saw a box that had "I am upside down; please turn me over" printed on the bottom
The underneath of Innocent fruit smoothie cartons says 'Stop looking at my bottom' That always makes me chuckle