Video Game References

From Homestar Runner Wiki

Revision as of 06:52, 5 November 2009

Pitfall style!

This article is about references to video games. For the Strong Bad Email, see video games. For the DVD-exclusive email, see Videro Games.

Allusions to video games, especially those of the 8-bit era, are constantly being made within the Homestar Runner body of work. Since references are commonly made to Nintendo, Atari 2600, Sega, and Intellivision, those instances are listed in their respective articles. This article is a list of allusions to video games in general or to less common systems.

Strong Bad Email

• homestar hair — Strong Bad goes to play "Temple of Apshai" as respite from the email.
• video games — Taylor R. wants to know what Strong Bad would be like in a video game. Strong Bad explains that it would depend on what system he was on.
• pom pom — Pom Pom beats Strong Bad up by kicking him into the air and 'juggling' him through several strikes, similar to a fighting game. Combo signs appear after his fourth, fifth and sixth strikes, and Pom Pom ultimately scores a "1-up".
• the facts — The tune Homestar Runner sings to in the Easter egg is the same tune as the intermission theme from Pac-Man.
• secret identity — As Cara Carabowditbowdit, Strong Bad writes to Buttless in Bedstuy that she needs to play more video games.
• keep cool — One of the pool rules is to, among other things, "press UP, A, and START" before re-entering the pool after eating.
• 4 branches — Strong Bad uses the scoring system in video games as a simile to how Homestar's stupidity functions.
• Videro Games — Strong Bad describes the effects of video games on children.
• invisibility — Before dying, the Tandy 400 reveals the famous Metroid password "Justin Bailey ****** ******" (in which the lower-case letters should be replaced by upper-case letters and the asterisks should be replaced by hyphens).
• japanese cartoon — The "credits music" is directly taken from the first level of Rad Racer.
• lunch special — Clicking on the words "Larry, legend" reveals a screenshot from the NES version of Jordan vs Bird: One on One.
• montage — An Easter egg features a modified clip from the NES game Mike Tyson's Punch Out!!.
• highschool — Baby Strong Bad says that he's pretending he's playing better video games.
• Email bedtime story — The Cheat and Moses Malone play The Adventures of Lolo and The Adventures of Bayou Billy in "The Ch8t's Cheatventures in Moses MaloneLand".
• modeling — An advertisement for foot cream includes the phrase "GOT STINKFOOT?". In Parodius, gaining a power-up will sometimes result in the main character saying "GOT A STINKFOOT?!" out of a megaphone.
• specially marked — Strong Bad gives a piece of his brain, which is based on the second form of the final boss in the game Contra III: The Alien Wars.

Other Appearances

• The Best Decemberween Ever — When Homestar Runner is looking through Bubs's box to get a Decemberween present for Strong Bad, the first thing he pulls out is a Tag Team Wrestling cartridge. This NES game featured a team called "The Strong Bads", which is the source of Strong Bad's name.
• Stinkoman 20X6 — The entire game is an allusion to the Mega Man series, and contains many references to other video games as well.
  • The game also contains many other references to other games; see Stinkoman 20X6 Real-World References for a complete list.
• Teen Girl Squad Issue 9 — Strong Bad is surprised that Babbage's no longer carries Turbografx games.
• Population: Tire — The Engrish page title "I FEEL ASLEEP!" quotes the game Metal Gear for the NES.
• Under Construction — The fight scene is taken from the game Ninja Gaiden. The credits include a reference to the Metroid Morph Ball powerup.
• Peasant's Quest — When the player attacks Kerrek with the bow and arrow, the game responds, "Here goes, Kid Icarus."
• FAQ — The page title includes the words "Ouch. What do you do?" In The Goonies II, non-player characters in mazes would respond with this Engrish phrase when attacked.
• 8-Bit is Enough — When you miss the ghost in Redcoat Ghost Patrol, The Cheat laughs at Strong Bad in a manner similar to the dog from Duck Hunt.
• Twenty THANXty Six — Pan Pan sucks up 1-Up and Stinkoman in a manner similar to Kirby.
• Super NES — Made using Mario Paint.
• Strong Bad is a Bad Guy — Made using Mario Paint.
• Weekly Fanstuff — One of the entries was a stop-motion video featuring a Pikmin.
• Weekly Fanstuff, March 13, 2008 — The entry depicted a custom Super Smash Bros. Brawl level that was shaped like Trogdor.
• Weekly Fanstuff, September 4, 2008 — The entry depicted cover art for a Wii Guitar Hero game starring Limozeen on the cover and The Cheatar as the controller.
• Bug in Mouth Disease — Kirby's Adventure is seen in an NES 2 on the TV.
• Scrolling Shooter Games Menu — The text in this game menu makes reference to the Mega Man and Star Fox series.

See Also

• Cacodemons
• Couch Mumbling
• Floppy Disk Container
• Strong Bad's Technology