Death Stranding 2 Hides a Retro Secret: Kojima's Arcade Throwback
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
IGN South Africa found an old Konami arcade game hidden in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Turns out Kojima's games are full of surprises, and this one is a quirky reminder of gaming's past.
Right, so Hideo Kojima, that magnificent madman, is at it again. Just when you thought Death Stranding 2: On the Beach couldn't get any weirder (we're talking baby capsules and weaponized guitars, people!), IGN South Africa has unearthed a seriously cool Easter egg: a fully playable arcade game tucked away inside.
I know, I know, it sounds like something you’d expect from a fever dream after too much Monster Energy and late-night coding. But trust me on this, mate, it's real. Apparently, during a recent gameplay demo (wish I was there!), eagle-eyed viewers spotted Norman Reedus's character, Sam Porter Bridges, mucking about with a rather familiar-looking arcade cabinet. And lo and behold, it's a recreation of an old Konami arcade game. Which one exactly? Well, that's part of the fun, isn't it?
Kojima's always been a bit of a magpie, hasn't he? Nicking bits and bobs from all sorts of genres and eras and sticking them in his games. Whether it's fourth-wall-breaking shenanigans, philosophical ramblings, or just plain bizarre enemy designs, you never quite know what to expect. And this arcade cameo just adds another layer to the whole bonkers cake.
Now, what does this mean for the full game? Will we be able to while away the hours racking up high scores while the world's gone to pot outside? Will the arcade game tie into the story somehow? (Knowing Kojima, it probably will… something about existential dread and pixelated landscapes, I reckon.) Or is it just a fun little nod to gaming's past?
Whatever the reason, it's a bloody brilliant touch. It reminds us that even in the darkest, most desolate landscapes, there's always room for a bit of lighthearted fun. And if it helps Sam Porter Bridges unwind after a hard day delivering packages across a monster-infested wasteland, well, who are we to judge?
It also begs the question: Which Kojima game holds the crown for the most cutscenes? Is it Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, with its epic (and often ridiculously long) cinematics? Or maybe Death Stranding itself, where you spend almost as much time watching cutscenes as you do actually playing the game? It's a debate for the ages, I reckon.
One thing's for sure: Death Stranding 2 is shaping up to be another wild ride. And with secrets like this hidden in plain sight, I can't wait to see what other surprises Kojima has up his sleeve. (Maybe a fully functional pinball machine next time? Just putting it out there…)
Tags: Death Stranding 2, Hideo Kojima, Easter Eggs, Arcade Games, Konami
Original article: IGN South Africa