An Easter egg is an intentional inside joke, hidden message, or feature in a work such as a computer program, movie, book, or crossword. According to game designer Warren Robinett, the term was coined at Atari by personnel who were alerted to the presence of a secret message which had been hidden by Robinett in his already widely distributed game, Adventure. The name has been said to evoke the idea of a traditional Easter egg hunt. Like in many other video games, Easter eggs in the Zoo Tycoon series are very common.
Easter Eggs in Multiple Games[]
Zoey and Zeek[]
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Zoey and Zeek are a pair of white mice and are the franchise's official mascots. Since the first game's cover, they have appeared on all of the main games box art and are well hidden for the player to spot them. Ironically, they never appear in the game, but did have their own section in the official website called "Animal Escapades" in which they go to the zoo's exhibits and interview the animals living in them.
Easter Eggs in Zoo Tycoon[]
Blue Fang plane.
Blue Fang Plane[]
When the game date hits October 17, 2001, a red biplane with the Blue Fang flag trailing behind it will fly over your zoo. This is a reference to the release date of the first game.
Flying witch.
Witch[]
When the game date hits October 31 each year, a witch flying on a broomstick followed by a group of bats will fly over your zoo while cackling. This is a reference to Halloween.
Santa Claus on his sleigh.
Santa Claus[]
When the game date hits December 25 each year, Santa Claus will appear flying over your zoo in his magical sleigh with his flying reindeer, while laughing his trademark "ho ho ho!" This is a reference to Christmas.
Festive Scenery Objects[]
While playing, certain objects will be available on certain in-game days. On October 31st, a pumpkin will be available. On December 25th, a snowman and a festive tree will be available. After these days pass, the object will become unavailable until the following year.
Halloween[]
Booting up the game while the system clock is set to October 31st will turn all pre-existing recolourable buildings to orange. Guests entering the zoo on this date will wear either orange or black, and the pumpkin scenery item, normally only available on the in-game date of October 31st, will always be available for purchase.
Toilet Rubble[]
Dinosaurs capable of destroying buildings while rampaging will cause the small, singular restroom from the base Zoo Tycoon to turn into a pile of rubble with a guest visibly sitting on top of a toilet. This is most likely a reference to Jurassic Park.
Dancing Animals[]
Both the Emperor Penguin and the Lowland Gorilla will play a special animation of them dancing when they're happy. This animation was supposed to be accompanied by a specific sound, a short track of wolves howling to drum beats, similar to the ones used in the main Zoo Tycoon theme, but this sound ultimately goes unused in the final game.
Easter Eggs in Zoo Tycoon 2[]
The Killer Penguin[]
- Main article: Killer Penguin.
Killer Penguin.
Killer Penguin replacing the scientist in the lab.
Introduced with Extinct Animals, receiving a yellow score in the extinct research lab minigame may result in the player obtaining a killer penguin egg about 10% of the time (the remaining 90% is split between 4 possible "extinct" ambients). As the name implies, this animal is extremely deadly, and will seek out and kill any other animal in its enclosure. This is in turn a reference to a bug in the previous Zoo Tycoon where the Emperor Penguin was roughly as powerful as a wolf, capable of killing animals as large as giraffes. Furthermore, guests making donations after viewing killer penguins will think, "If I give the penguin money, you think it might be nice to me?". Killer Penguins may occasionally replace the scientist in the extinct research lab.
Wrong Restroom[]
Introduced with Endangered Species, male guests may enter the women's stall (about 1 in 500 times) and flee after realizing their mistake. Furthermore, any guests who witness the incident will laugh at the mistaken guest (which even contributes to their amusement need!). Female guests will always enter the women's stall, and will never accidentally enter the men's stall.
Stokesosaurus painting and wearing glasses.
Artist Stokesosaurus[]
If the player places an easel in an enclosure containing a Stokesosaurus, the dinosaur will use the enrichment item (even though it doesn't appear in its keeper panel). They will also wear glasses while painting, which is alluded to in the zoopedia.
Caveman inside a glacier.
Caveman Guests[]
About 20% of the time, a purchased glacier will contain a caveman guest. After a while (or if the player selects the guest), the glacier will fully melt and free the caveman, allowing them to roam the player's zoo. Cavemen may also appear as special guests in challenges and scenarios. Guests who talk to cavemen may purchase a club gift from the extinct gift shop.
Break-dancing Scientist[]
If the player performs exceptionally well multiple times in the extinct research lab minigame, the scientist will begin dancing. Conversely, the scientist may simply not be present while performing the minigame.
Natural Super Extinct Animals[]
About 6% of the time, the Dodo and Diprotodon will give birth to a Super extinct animal, without the need of an extinct research lab.
Zebra mother nursing a baby quagga, resulting from crossbreeding.
Cross-breeding Animals[]
In African Adventure, and Extinct Animals, the Reticulated Giraffe and Common Zebra will be able to mate with the Masai Giraffe and Quagga respectively, and even being able to produce offspring.
Century Agave Cactus[]
Century agave cacti
After 50 in-game years, the agave cactus plant added with Extinct Animals will bloom into a "century plant" form, producing a large orange-yellow flower. After the cactus has bloomed for 10 in-game years, it will unbloom.
Rubble Toys[]
If a rampaging dinosaur destroys a tree or a building, rubble may appear. These rubble fragments may be used by some animals like ball toys, where the animal swats at the rubble to be stimulated. Additionally, if a rampaging dinosaur destroys a hotdog stand, hotdogs will appear as rubble, which can be eaten by carnivorous animals.
Splashing Staff[]
If an entertainer comes across a splash fountain, they may dance near it to cool off from being inside a hot costume all day. Similarly, robots part of the Dino Capture Team may be distracted by splash fountains, preventing them from doing their job.
Sugar Shock & Caffeine Craze[]
Introduced with Extinct Animals, if 5 or more cotton candy carts are inside a single zoo, young guests who buy cotton candy will walk thrice their usual speed. This will also apply to adult guests after 5 coffee stands are place, as well as staff members after a coffee stand is placed within 9 units of a staff center.
Screaming People[]
If the player spins the globe too fast in the map selection menu, people will start screaming.
Easter Eggs in Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game[]
Blue Fang Biplane[]
The Blue Fang Biplane from the original Zoo Tycoon can be seen illustrated on the Score Board.
Grey Crowned Crane[]
The Grey Crowned Crane can be seen on the Bird Disease Event Card. The Grey Crowned Crane was cut from the game after its real world conservation status dropped, though the developers decided to keep it on the Event Card as an easter egg.
Mice[]
Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game has two mice hidden on the score board and one on the box art. These mice, while brown are in direct reference to Zoey and Zeek.
Mice Locations:
- On the swirl on the left side of the gate on the box lid.
- By the Rhino's foot, next to the Giraffe.
- On the top left of the Score Board, by the Conservation Symbol.