Bayonetta is a series known as much for its stylish, fluid combat as it is its bewitching protagonist. Developer PlatinumGames is something of a specialist in the genre, co-founder Hideki Kamiya being the creator of one of the original character action games. So they would be remiss not to include an easter egg or two from past works.
Though many of their games feature copious references, Bayonetta being their inaugural work means its chock-full of reminders, both subtle and more in-your-face, that Bayonetta isn't Platinum's first foray into gaming.
10 Rodin's Many References
When visiting the Gates of Hell, Rodin can make various different quips, most of which are references. Some are references to Platinum's own games, games Kamiya has been involved with to some degree, or even just good-old-fashioned references.
Some of these include the chainsaw arm in Madworld developed by Platinum, quoting the merchant from Resident Evil 4 (of which rose from the original Devil May Cry that Kamiya directed), and things like Link to the Past, which Kamiya claims is a big inspiration for him.
9 Cutie J Mimics Viewtiful Joe
A series that Kamiya originally created but never got to finish was Viewtiful Joe. The games themselves are side-scrollers featuring comedically styled superheroes. And though Bayonetta contains quite a few references from to Viewtiful Joe, the most in-depth of these is Jeanne's Cutie J outfit.
When wearing the Cutie J outfit and having Bloody Moon equipped, Jeanne shouts the phrase "Bring It!" and strikes a pose almost identical to that of Joe's transformation in his own games.
8 Bangle Of Time And The Witch Eva
The Bracelet of Time in Bayonetta allows the user to activate Witch Time whenever they please in exchange for magic. However, even though it is called the Bracelet of Time in-game, all concept art refers to it as the Bangle of Time. This is an important distinction, as it then holds the same name as an item with an identical look and effect from the original Devil May Cry.
But the references don't end there. The item description in Bayonetta allows makes mention of a witch named Eva making a deal with a legendary dark knight, a blatant reference to Dante's parents from Devil May Cry.
7 Luka's Many Girlfriends
Throughout Bayonetta, Luka styles himself as something of a womanizer, flirting with every woman who will dare give him the time of day. So sure of himself that he is, he actually lists all of his previous girlfriends to Bayonetta after she rescues him (a common occurrence). Claire, Trish, Silvia, and Ammy.
All these characters are from previous Kamiya games though. Claire from Resident Evil, Trish from Devil May Cry, Silvia from Viewtiful Joe, and um, Amaterasu from Okami. Quite the host of girlfriends.
6 The Effects of Nintendo Character Outfits
Added in the Wii U release of Bayonetta 1 and 2 are the various Nintendo outfits such as another great heroine, Samus, as well as Link and Princess Peach. Though these are wonderful homages in and of themselves, Platinum wasn't satisfied with just that. Instead, these outfits have various effects such as Samus changing Bayonetta's guns to an arm cannon and her beast into a ball, and Link gives a shield reflect and changes Shuraba into the Master Sword.
But in Bayonetta 2, Starfox changes the most by far. Guns are changed to Arwings with accompanying effects, all jets in the game become Arwings as well, and in a scene later in the game, Starfox and the crew themselves are seen flying off in the distance. This is likely because Platinum developed a Starfox game, though it's still an obscene effort for an easter egg.
5 The Divine Comedy As A Source of Inspiration
Bayonetta features 3 planes of existence: Inferno, Paradiso, and Purgatorio. Each of these are from Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. The same is true for Rodin, his name and even his death sequence of being frozen in a block of ice in Tag Climax are all references to the Divine Comedy. But it wouldn't be a Platinum easter egg without a Devil May Cry reference.
Devil May Cry is also based on the Divine Comedy. Dante's name is maybe obvious, but Vergil is also featured in the book, the two closely tied throughout both the game and the events of the book.
4 The Wonderful Yagyu Hammer
In Bayonetta 2, you can come across a giant hammer named 武甕槌 Takemikazuchi, named for the Japanese deity of swords and lightning. However, when Jeanne uses the weapon it is named 野牛 Yagyu, simply meaning wild bull by the game's own admission. The name itself is more a reference to the hammer's original appearance, however.
In The Wonderful 101, Rodin can be unlocked as a playable character swinging around the very same hammer. The weapon description in Bayonetta 2 confirms as much, saying "Rodin felt he had no choice but to join the battle himself and put on a personal display of its power" before handing it over to Jeanne.
3 Fortitudo And Griffon In The Coliseum
One of Bayonetta's most iconic enemies is Fortitudo, the flying angel with two draconic heads spewing from its body. Bayonetta shouts the phrase "Flock off, feather-face!" before jumping into battle with him in the great coliseum. But would you believe it, this is another Devil May Cry reference.
In Devil May Cry, Dante frequently comes across a boss called Griffon whom he also names feather-face, and fights multiple times in the game, with their final showdown taking place in a colosseum much like the one in Bayonetta.
2 Luka's Rules of Nature
A more subtle easter egg this time. Throughout Bayonetta 2, you can collect various pieces of Luka's journal telling details of the games' events and lore. One of these entries, however, is titled 'Rules of Nature'. Inconspicuous at first, until you remember Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
Rules of Nature is the main theme that plays while fighting Metal Gear RAY and Grad in Rising, and quickly became one of the game's most popular songs. A smaller easter egg this time, but one that can be appreciated.
1 The Beast And Blade Of Okami
-2.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&dpr=1.5)
Okami is a game now well-loved despite its initial poor sales, recognized for its gorgeous art style and Zelda-inspired gameplay. Kamiya directed this game too, one of his last games before forming PlatinumGames and going on to make Bayonetta, so it only makes sense for it to have plentiful easter eggs.
The most notable of these is when Bayonetta uses Beast Within. While running, she leaves a trail of flowers in her wake, just like Amaterasu in Okami. But another is the lightsaber-like weapon Pillow Talk. It is basically a direct copy of the weapon used by Waka, name and all.