Throughout Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope there are plenty of Easter Eggs and secret hidden gems that only the most keen eye will notice. With all the action and the fast-moving plot, it’s all too easy for players to overlook these small details. Without careful observation, these Easter Eggs were probably missed by even the most diligent players.

7 The Baby Penguin

Over two decades ago, Mario risked his tail to save a baby penguin in Super Mario 64. At the end of that rescue, that darling little baby jumped from his arms, down a cliff, and away from its mother, making the rescue an epic waste of time.

Fast-forward to Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, players will find themselves rescuing baby penguins once again. This time, when the trio stand on the edge of the cliff with the baby penguin, it takes a large leap away. It might seem similar because this was an Easter Egg made in tribute to the original penguin rescue.

6 The Spark Wearing Mario’s Hat

At one point Mario is knocked down by a Spark and his hat and the Spark both land behind him. When the Spark comes out from behind Mario, it’s wearing his hat. While it’s just for a brief second, many players will recognize this from another game.

Players will remember back to Mario Galaxy where the Luma takes Mario’s hat and wears it. It flies around with the hat for a little bit before flying into Mario, giving him the spin ability.

5 A Flying Manta Ray

While Mario and friends are in the Mushroom Kingdom, a giant manta ray swarms the kingdom. This flying monstrosity is somewhat very familiar, bearing a physical resemblance to something players who have followed Mario steadily may have seen in the past.

In Mario Galaxy, there’s a level where Mario must ride a giant manta ray. It has the same purple markings as the one that swarms the Mushroom Kingdom in Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. In the heat of the moment, players may have missed this reference.

4 The Darkmess Is Very Familiar

The Darkmess features a central eyeball with dark sludge around it. Once the eyeball is destroyed, much of the sludge is removed, clearing the path for the heroes. While this is not a Mario reference, this is definitely a direct reference to another highly popular game.

In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, so many areas are covered by similar impenetrable sludge with malice eyeballs. The mechanic is also the same. When players destroy the eyeball, most of the sludge disappears. It’s clear the makers of Mario took a page out of this game’s book.

3 A Mario Kart Reference

Luigi has a signature ability called Steely Stare, which damages enemies moving within his ring. The first enemy to move within his line of sight will receive damage. This ability offers Luigi a clear advantage over his enemies, keeping him as a ranged attacker and out of the direct line of battle.

It’s also a reference to Luigi’s Death Stare in Mario Kart. While Luigi is often the more timid brother, while racing, he developed his own bit of edge when dealing with opponents. When he passes or strikes his opponents, he fixes them with a harsh glare, which is where the reference comes into play in Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope.

2 Red And Green Coins

In different locations throughout the game, players will find spots where they can trigger a red ring to collect a series of red coins in a set time or a green ring to collect bunches of green coins within a set time. The green coins will be spaced further apart than the red coins. Collecting all of them will net a reward.

Both of these are references to past games. The red coins come from the NewSuper Mario Brothers series. The green coins are from New Super Mario Brothers U and New Super Luigi U. Similar mechanics have been used in other Mario titles but not necessarily with color schemes. Gold coins have also been used to do a timed collection.

1 A Nod To Super Mario World

There is a Rabbid named Victor that players will run into on each planet. He will task them with gathering as many Sillyfish as possible within a certain time limit. During the task a specific song will play in the background that the most discerning player will recognize.

It is the Overworld theme of Super Mario World remixed. This song will transport players back to their original 2D Mario roots, while they progress through this side quest.

Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is available on Nintendo Switch.

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