Dan Crabtree: All the video game references in Guacamelee

This is an attempt at what I hope will be a complete list, eventually, of all the instances in Guacamelee where Drinkbox Studios (the developer) included a direct reference to another video game. Yes, the whole experience is modeled after the Metroidvania rubric. Within that confine, there are countless allusions at play. Let's assume those, and move on to the good stuff.

All screenshots were taken from the PS Vita version of Guacamelee, in no particular order. (As these screenshots are from all over the game, light spoilers may apply)

Metroid's metroids guard the first Choozo statue (referenced later). Certainly an homage to the genre's roots.

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In keeping with the remarkable pre-Hispanic Mexican/cartoon fusion art style, a beefy Skull Kid from Majora's Mask appears on a luchador promo poster with Mega Man in a roid rage (from Mega Man Soccer, duh).

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When I didn't have an ice beam by the end of Guacamelee, I straight slapped that goat.

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I was beyond excited to see this specific, dated reference. Note the purple-framed poster on the wall. No, it's not some Picaso version of Wario. That's Booster, one of the colorful sub-villains in Super Mario RPG for the SNES. He's like Bowser, just more apathetic, and with saltier tears.

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It's what's inside the counts (naillllled it).

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Clearly the Niño de Carne is Super Meat Boy, but how many games have a faceless, shirtless ninja? Kudos to anyone who can point me to the source on this one. (Update: Scott Nichols and Brad Gallaway tell me the ninja is from N+)

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While an apparent nod to the eponymous platforming duo, the Super Mario Brothers, I can't help but wonder if this is also a secret high five to Superbrothers, the indie development studio behind Swords and Sworcery, among others.

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Although it'd be AMAZING if Zelda starred in one of the Legend of Zelda games, Link is always stealing the lead role, and, on weekends, pulling down the hat to jump into the luchador's ring.

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I know this (the post of the big-eyed nymph) is from a game, but I just can't place it. Any assists?

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Even more indie love. This Warhol, literally translated, reads "The House Crashers", which would have been a shorter game.

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I was almost disappointed how easy this boss was to beat. Drinkbox did just enough with this Bowser reference to save the moment. But still, I mean let me FIGHT THAT THING.

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Say it, don't spray it.

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Hold on, game developers KNOW about game journalists (outside our Metarank)?

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Literally translated: "The Mutant Lemons Attack!"

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Where's the Tonberry bush? Regardless, still a good reminder that the Cactaur invented Tim Tebow.

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I'm assuming this is a reference specifically to Donkey Konga: Havana Nights.

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Batman and Bane? Or Spawn, maybe? The masked ones sort of bleed together.

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I'm told Wreck-It Ralph has an actual videogame now. Still a poser (yaryaryar).

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Missing like, "Bring him back, already, Schafer!"? Is this a milk carton for the Grim Fandango sequel?

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How to reward exploration in games: give level design just the littlest bit of character, even an old, featureless brick shape of character.

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Castlevania: Mirror's of Nostalgia - Bound in Time; The Generational Cross III -> Electric Boogaloo [The Game]

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I'm not saying that Portal owns the patent rights to the game systems that involve portals, but blue and orange portals that involve physics puzzles just reek of Aperture.

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