Film - Television - Video Games

Article: 5
Date: 9/05/05
Last Update: 07/22/12

A collection of references (either through memorabilia, characters or the movies themselves) in other studios' video games to Toho's many produced and distributed releases.

Vastar  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Mission: Title Screen and the First Area First Released: 1983 Platform: Arcade Larger Image: Click Here A Godzilla-like creature appears on the startup screen. He also appears in a lake in the first area.

Cliff Hanger  Reference: Lupin the 3rd: The Mystery of Mamo (1978) and Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) Level/Mission: Various First Released: 1983 Platform: Arcade Larger Image: Unavailable Lupin the 3rd: The Mystery of Mamo (1978) and Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) are edited into the 1983 arcade game Cliff Hanger, the latter more heavily than the former.

Bubble Bobble (Series)  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Mission: Various First Released: Various (First Appeared in Bubble Bobble for the Arcade; 1986) Platform: Various Larger Image: Unavailable In the first entry of the series, Bubble Bobble, Bub and Bob have been transformed into twin dragons that spit bubbles. In Bubble Bobble 2 (or Bubble Symphony in Japan), the dorsal plates even twinkle. The character design and the aforementioned characteristics appear to be inspired by Godzilla.

Salamander (aka Life Force)  Reference: Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) Level/Mission: Stage 3 First Released: July 4th, 1986 (Arcade - Japanese Release) Platform: Arcade, Commodore 64, Nintendo Entertainment System, Wii Virtual Console, Various Others Larger Image: Unavailable The third level of this classic arcade game features a creature that bears a striking resemblance to King Ghidorah.

Time Soldiers  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Mission: Age of Rome First Released: 1987 (Arcade) Platform: Arcade, Sega Master System Larger Image: Unavailable The boss from the Age of Rome stage highly resembles King Ghidorah in both the arcade version (pictured) and the Sega Master System version.

The Revenge of Shinobi  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Mission: New York First Released: December 2nd, 1989 (SMG/Genesis - Japanese and North American Releases) Platform: Sega Mega Drive, Sega Genesis, Wii Virtual Console Larger Image: Unavailable Deep in a container ship of the Neo Zeed criminal organization, Joe Musashi encounters a monster greatly resembling Godzilla, although its official name is "Brontosaurus". This monster is the boss of the seventh stage, but while its behavior mimics Godzilla's, it lacks the trademark spines and blue atomic breath. It does, however, breathe a stream of fire. "The Revenge of Shinobi" is also known for having bosses resembling Batman, Spider-Man, Devilman, and the Terminator in its five versions. Godzilla remained unaltered until the game was revised and released as Version 1.03 (1990). After that, Godzilla was replaced by a skeletal dinosaur.

Strider  Reference: King Kong Escapes (1967) Level/Mission: Siberia (Stage 2) and The Third Moon (Final Stage) First Released: March 7th, 1989 (Arcade) Platform: Arcade, Commodore Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Sega Genesis, Sega Master System, Playstation 2 (Capcom Classics Collection Volume 2), X-Box (Capcom Classics Collection Volume 2) Larger Image: Click Here The giant mechanical ape Mecha-Pon displays a striking similarity to Mechani-Kong of King Kong Escapes (1967) fame.

Street Fighter (Series)  Reference: Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis (1988) and Tokyo: The Last War (1989) Level/Mission: Various (First Appeared as a Final Stage Boss) First Released: Various (First Appeared in Street Fighter II — The World Warrior for the Arcade; March, 1991) Platform: Various Larger Image: Click Here The final opponent of the legendary fighting game classic, Street Fighter II — The World Warrior features the villain Vega (M. Bison in America; left side of the image), who looks very similar to Yasunori Kato (as portrayed by Kyusaku Shimada; right side of the image), the antagonist from the fantasy films Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis (1988) and Tokyo: The Last War (1989). They both wear the same Japanese military cap with the star embedded in the center, both have prominent ears that stick out from under the cap, and both have abnormally large chins. Prior to fighting, Vega also wears a large cape, just like Kato's military cloak, which he throws off prior to battle. Vega's fighting style is composed of a number of magical techniques, including the ability to float and fly, as well as some telekinetic abilities; all powers characteristic of Yasunori Kato, of course. As the Street Fighter series became more popular and evolved, the roster of Vega's abilities began to expand to include mind control, teleportation, and (significantly) the ability to transplant his soul from one body into another. These are all familiar characteristics of Yasunori Kato. It should be mentioned that as the series progressed and Vega's abilities became more and more similar to Kato's; Vega's image began to deviate from his original Street Fighter II portrait, making him look less and less like Kato's portrait from Tokyo: The Last Megalopolis (1988); however, the basic design still remained the same. Some Japanese fans of Street Fighter have claimed that Vega was intended to be a parody of Yasunori Kato; Capcom's way of poking fun at contemporary pop culture as the Teito Monogatari series was at the height of its popularity the year Street Fighter II was released. But as the popularity of the Street Fighter franchise boomed beyond anything Capcom could have anticipated and entered the international world, the Teito Monogatari films had not yet been released abroad. The character of Vega became distinct in its own right.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past  Reference: Kaiju Movies (-) Level/Mission: Skull Dungeon First Released: November 21st, 1991 (Super Nintendo - Japanese Release) Platform: Super Nintendo, Game Boy Advance, Wii Virtual Console Larger Image: Click Here The guardian of Skull Woods and the third crystal, the boss of Skull Dungeon is named Mothula (very likely a nod to Mothra). A moving mechanical floor and deadly spiked blocks present additional obstacles to Link during his battle with this lepidopteran foe.

Mega Man 4  Reference: Kaiju Movies (-) Level/Mission: Dr. Cossack's Castle, Part 1 First Released: December 6th, 1991 (Nintendo Entertainment System - Japanese Release) Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, Wii Virtual Console, Mobile Phone Larger Image: Unavailable The first boss from Dr. Cossack's Castle is a giant moth robot called Mothraya; the name being a clear homage to Mothra.

Aero Fighters (aka Sonic Wings)  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Mission: Japan Stage First Released: 1992 Platform: Arcade, Super Nintendo, PlayStation 2 (in Ore-tachi Geesen Zoku Sono 6 Sonic Wings) Larger Image: Unavailable In the Japan Stage, the boss is named Super-X Kai (Benzai in the American Manual), which appears to be a name derived from the Super-X of The Return of Godzilla (1984) fame. This boss appears after destroying the center from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, possibly referencing another cinematic cue from the mid-80's film.

The Simpsons: Bart's Nightmare  Reference: Kaiju Movies (-) Level/Mission: Green Door First Released: October 12th, 1992 (SMG/Genesis and Super Nintendo - North American Release) Platform: Sega Mega Drive, Super Nintendo Larger Image: [1],[2] From the shrink ray that resembles a maser cannon to Marge Simpson's monstrous incarnation, "Momthra", this level has its own small share of Toho references. Bart Simpson as Bartzilla, the massive monster with fire breath, is the focus of this rather overt nod.

Breath of Fire  Reference: Kaiju Movies (-) Level/Mission: North Tower First Released: April 3rd, 1993 (Super Nintendo - Japanese Release) Platform: Super Nintendo, Game Boy Advance Larger Image: Click Here In this game, there is a tower where you can find a child who transforms into Mothro, a clear nod to Mothra.

Toto World 3  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Mission: Toto VS Gojira (Level 2 Stage 4) First Released: May 1993 (South Korea only) Platform: Sega Master System Larger Image: Click Here The boss from this stage has a name with a familiar ring to it, Gojira. To boot, this monster sports a fire blast.

Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master  Reference: Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975) Level/Mission: Electric Demon First Released: July 22nd, 1993 (SMG/Genesis - North American Release) Platform: Sega Mega Drive, Wii Virtual Console, Microsoft Windows Larger Image: [1],[2] Musashi discovers a protected facility that produces a large number of Samurai Dinosaurs called Mega Zaurus, which highly resemble Mechagodzilla in both weaponry and appearance (especially in Terror of Mechagodzilla [1975]).

Super Bonk  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Mission: Various First Released: June 1994 (Super Nintendo) Platform: Super Nintendo, Wii Virtual Console Larger Image: Click Here After feeding Bonk candy and a giant ham, he will transform into a large, crazy-looking head with Godzilla's body, rendering him temporarily invincible and capable of climbing steel beams. After some time, Bonk will transform into a boy with a chicken body, and then back into his normal self.

Super Street Fighter II  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Mission: Fei Long Stage First Released: September 10th, 1993 (Arcade) Platform: Various Larger Image: Unavailable When the battle in the Fei Long Stage is concluded and the animals in the background celebrate, Anguirus' distinctive cry can be heard.

Eternal Champions: Challenge from the Dark Side  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Mission: Shadow Stage (Black Orchid Rooftop 1993 A.D.) First Released: Febuary 1995 Platform: Sega CD Larger Image: Click Here In the vein of the "fatalities" of Mortal Kombat fame, this game has its own similar style of finishing move, which is called a "Sudden Death". In the stage listed above, throwing the character in just the right area of the neon kana will cause Godzilla-like feet to gruesomely knead the loser.

Gex: Enter the Gecko  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Mission: Gexzilla Vs. Mecharez First Released: February 24th, 1998 (PS) Platform: PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Microsoft Windows Larger Image: Unavailable In the level "Gexzilla Vs. Mecharez", Gex becomes a giant version of himself named "Gexzilla", who has Godzilla's distinctive dorsal spines. He fights against his evil robotic counterpart, named "Mecharez" (a spoof on Mechagodzilla). Both Gexzilla and Mecharez possess Godzilla's trademark roar.

Monster Rancher 2  Reference: Godzilla (1954) Level/Mission: Various First Released: February 25th, 1999 (PS) Platform: PlayStation Larger Image: Unavailable This game features a monster named "Zilla", and the creature is a cross between a gorilla and a whale. The name Gojira is a cross between gorira (gorilla) and kujira (whale), which makes for a pretty clever, yet subtle reference in Monster Rancher 2.

Super Robot Wars Alpha  Reference: Rodan (1956) Level/Mission: Various First Released: April 25th, 2000 Platform: PlayStation, Sega Dreamcast, PlayStation Portable Larger Image: Unavailable One of Ryukooh's attacks, the Magma Burst, consists of summoning a Chinese dragon made of fire. Before it strikes, the fire dragon emits Rodan's roar.

Super Robot Wars Alpha (Quadrilogy)  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Mission: Various First Released: April 25th, 2000 (PS - Super Robot Wars Alpha) Platform: PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Sega Dreamcast, PlayStation Portable Larger Image: Unavailable In all four Super Robot Wars Alpha titles, the "monsters of the week" possess a variety of Toho roars. The users include mechanical beasts from Mazinger Z, mechasauruses from Getter Robo (with Giro pictured), and the various creatures from Gaiking emiting Hedorah's croak; warrior beasts from Great Mazinger using Anguirus' and Fake Godzilla's roar; and the Custos posessing the cry of the Giant Condor.

Conker's Bad Fur Day  Reference: GODZILLA (1998) Level/Mission: Bat's Tower First Released: March 5th, 2001 Platform: Nintendo 64 Larger Image: Unavailable The scene at the end of the Bat's Tower level appears to be inspired by the well-known pier-destruction sequence in GODZILLA (1998).

Super Mario Sunshine  Reference: Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) Level/Mission: Mecha-Bowser Appears! First Released: July 19th, 2002 Platform: Nintendo GameCube Larger Image: Unavailable In addition to being a mechanical version of a giant reptile already present in the franchise (Bowser), the real homage is in the musical accompaniment, which is very similar to the bombastic "Mechagodzilla Appears" theme from the Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) soundtrack.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Mission: External Gazer First Released: November 5th, 2002 (Xbox) Platform: Xbox, PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows Larger Image: Unavailable Snake has been given the assignment of photographing the Gurlugon, a monster from another dimension that possesses Godzilla's dorsal spines.

Super Robot Taisen/Wars Original Generation (Series)  Reference: Atragon (1963) Level/Mission: Various First Released: Various (First Appeared in Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation for the Game Boy Advance; November 22nd, 2002) Platform: Game Boy Advance/PlayStation 2 Larger Image: Unavailable Armed with missiles, autocannons, guns, torpedoes, a no-nonsense captain, and even a giant drill (the so-called "Titanic Drill"), the Space Noah class battleship Kurogane is a definite homage to the Gotengo.

Super Robot Wars MX  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Mission: Various First Released: May 27th, 2004 Platform: PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable Larger Image: Unavailable Many of the monsters from the Mazinger movies and Grendizer are adapted for Super Robot Wars MX, such as Dragonsaurus, Gilgilgan 3, Grangen, and King Gori (pictured) from Grendizer. All four boast slightly modified Godzilla roars.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater  Reference: Godzilla (1954) Level/Mission: Virtuous Mission First Released: November 17th, 2004 (PS2) Platform: PlayStation 2 Larger Image: Unavailable When Snake interacts with Para-Medic during this mission, Para-Medic talks about Godzilla (1954). It should be noted that this game was released shortly after the film's 50th anniversary.

World of Warcraft  Reference: Kaiju Movies (-) Level/Mission: Boss from Zul'Farrak First Released: November 24th, 2004 Platform: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X Larger Image: Click Here Added in patch 4.0.1, the three-headed monster is a direct homage to the kaiju genre with the first part of its name. The second part connects with the Godzilla franchise in particular, as Gahz'rilla, when pronounced, sounds close to the name of the King of the Monsters. Finally, its three-headed visage is similar to King Ghidorah.

Samurai Western  Reference: Kaiju Movies (-) Level/Mission: Various First Released: January 1st, 2005 Platform: PlayStation 2 Larger Image: Unavailable The game's main character is named Gojiro Kiryu. The name is pun on "Gojira" and the main character's younger brother is named Rando (a syllabary-anagram of "Rodan").

Destroy All Humans! 2  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Mission: Kojira Kaiju Battle First Released: October 17th, 2006 (PS2 and XBox) Platform: PlayStation 2, Xbox Larger Image: Unavailable When a Takoshimese summer intern at the KGB Volcano base is selected to be exposed to special Blisk spores, she becomes a giant monster named "Kojira". The monster name is a pun on "Gojira", and she even boasts a green atomic blast as well.

Super Robot Wars Original Generations Gaiden  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Mission: Various First Released: December 27th, 2007 Platform: PlayStation 2 Larger Image: Unavailable Ialdabaoth and Valefor form energy dragons from their hands, which emit Anguirus's roar during their most powerful attacks. Anguirus's roar can also be heard when Kohta Azuma (aka Fighter Roa), and his mech Compatible Kaiser, summon a fire dragon of similar design from another dimension.

Super Robot Wars Z  Reference: Kaiju Movies (-) Level/Mission: Various First Released: September 25th, 2008 Platform: PlayStation 2 Larger Image: Unavailable The mecha boosts (with Kuragen pictured to the left) are given Godzilla's roar while the cosmosauruses are given a mixed roar of Mechagodzilla's, Rodan's, and Ebirah's. It should be noted that Mogundar and it's evolved form, Harinder, are the only mecha boosts from the series to have Godzilla's roar, but neither have made an appearance in a Super Robot Wars game to date.

Borderlands  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Area: Dahl Headland First Released: October 20th, 2009 Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X Larger Image: Unavailable The creature's name is Skagzilla because of his towering size. It should also be noted that he sports a beam that is reminiscent of Godzilla's trademark Atomic Ray.

Fallout: New Vegas  Reference: Godzilla (1954) Level/Mission: Various First Released: October 19th, 2010 Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows Larger Image: Click Here Although ultimately cut from the final release (the creature can still be spawned in the PC version via console commands), the giant Fire Gecko known as "Gojira" was to be a random encounter triggered if the player chose the "Wild Wasteland" perk at the beginning of the game. The creature even had it's own unique attack called "Gojira flame". The Fire Gecko enemy itself seems to have been inspired by Godzilla, sporting several rows of spikes down its back, the ability to breathe fire, and a nuclear mutation origin to boot. Equipped with a staggering 8000 hit points and a 1 hit kill flame attack, Gojira would have been the strongest enemy in the game, even more so than the Legendary Deathclaw. This show of raw power is undoubtedly a nod to Godzilla's well-known position as the "King of the Monsters".

Pokémon Black and White  Reference: Rodan (1956) Level/Area: Liberty Garden First Released: September 18th, 2010 Platform: Nintendo DS Larger Image: Unavailable The Pokémon known as Victini appears once players acquire a mystery gift via Wi-Fi at special Nintendo events. Fans of Rodan (1956) may notice that Victini uses a slightly slower version of the squeaks emitted by the Meganulons.

Super Robot Wars Z2: World Destruction Chapter  Reference: Rodan (1956) Level/Stage: Various First Released: April 14th, 2011 Platform: PlayStation Portable Larger Image: Unavailable Among the many anime monsters to appear in this installment of the massive crossover franchise Super Robot Wars are the invaders from Getter Robo Armageddon. Right before the invader attacks (air type pictured), a modified Rodan howl is emitted. As a side note, the Banpresto Original dimensional beasts also possess the roars of Telesdon and Gomora from the original Ultraman series.

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time  Reference: Godzilla Series (-) Level/Stage: Various First Released: February 5, 2013 Platform: PlayStation 3 Larger Image: Unavailable For the video game Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time one of the characters is fighting a robotic dragon that is strangely similar to King Ghidorah, featuring the three-headed design best known for the character.