Looking back on my journey through It Takes Two in 2026, I can say it remains one of the most brilliant cooperative experiences I've ever had. It masterfully blended familiar mechanics with unique puzzles that demanded true partnership, a concept that felt more vital than ever. But beyond the core story of Cody and May, what truly captivated me were the layers of secrets and loving nods to gaming history that the developers at Hazelight Studios sprinkled throughout their vibrant world. As I guided friends through the game, I made it my mission to uncover these hidden gems. Let me share the delightful Easter eggs I found, secrets that transform a great game into a treasure hunt for dedicated players.
One of the first references that made me laugh out loud was in the Turn-Up section. I entered a room, and even Cody remarked on how familiar it looked. The bright colors, the precarious track... it was unmistakably a homage to the infamous Rainbow Road from Mario Kart. But the best part? What happens when you inevitably fall off. Just as Lakitu would rescue you in Mario Kart, here, the eccentric Dr. Hakim swoops in to plop you back on the track with the same agonizingly slow deliberation. It’s a perfect, humorous blend of reverence and parody for a piece of gaming history we’ve all struggled with. Isn't it amazing how a simple mechanic can evoke such strong nostalgia?
Perhaps my favorite hidden secret was tucked away in the Pillow Fort. After the mini-game with the Tank Brothers, I took the upper path and found a room with two peculiar statues. Who were they? To any fan of Hazelight's previous work, they were instantly recognizable: Vincent and Leo, the protagonists from A Way Out. The attention to detail was incredible. By pounding on the buttons in front of them, I could make them speak, replaying snippets of their trademark bickering. Leo threatened Vincent, only to be reminded he was just a doll now. Hearing those familiar lines was a brilliant, self-referential nod that connected Hazelight's cooperative universe.
The developers weren't shy about referencing other legendary franchises either. In the Cuckoo Clock level, I stumbled upon a secret room that stopped me in my tracks. It was an almost exact recreation of the Hylian guardhouse from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The brazenness of it was delightful! And what did Cody and May do? Exactly what Link would do: we smashed every pot in the room, relishing the destruction and collecting the emeralds inside. This even unlocked a cheekily named achievement: "Force Triangulated." It was a pure, unadulterated celebration of a classic gaming trope.
Then there was the most wonderfully meta Easter egg of all. During the space level, you're tasked with rotating a satellite. But what if you ignored the objective? I rotated it completely, pointing it at a specific spot in the starry sky. Suddenly, I heard a familiar, passionate voice: Josef Fares, the founder of Hazelight Studios, delivering his iconic 2017 Game Awards speech where he proclaimed his love for video games as an art form. To find this impassioned piece of gaming history hidden in the cosmos was both strange and profoundly fitting. It felt like the developer's personal manifesto, tucked away for players to discover.
Not every secret was a pop-culture reference. The ice level held its own charming surprises. Beyond the ice-skating mini-game, I explored a stranded pirate ship. Inside, a treasure chest awaited, filled with glittering gold. Opening it unlocked the achievement "Terror of the Seven Seas." It was a simple reward, but it encouraged that spirit of exploration, proving that every corner of this world was crafted with care. What other secrets might be waiting on a frozen shore?
Finally, we must talk about the Helltower. In the Cuckoo Clock level, this optional platforming challenge stands as the game's most notorious test of skill. Most of It Takes Two's platforming is forgiving, but the Helltower? It's a brutal, almost sadistic gauntlet. Many players, understandably, avoid it. But I had to know what was at the top. After countless falls and retries, reaching the summit was a triumph. The reward? A beautiful, silent fireworks display over the game's world and the "Platforming Prodigy" achievement. It was a victory earned purely for the sake of challenge, a secret celebration for only the most persistent players.
Reflecting on these discoveries, I realize they are what make It Takes Two so special years after its release. They are love letters:
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🎮 To other games (like Mario Kart and Zelda).
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👥 To the studio's own history (with A Way Out).
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🎤 To the passion of its creators (Josef's speech).
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🏆 To the joy of exploration and mastery (the pirate gold and Helltower).
These Easter eggs transformed my playthrough from a simple story completion into a shared adventure of discovery with my co-op partner. We weren't just fixing a marriage; we were uncovering the shared language and history of video games themselves. In 2026, that layered, communal experience is why It Takes Two continues to be a masterpiece worth revisiting with every new friend.