Death Stranding 2 hides a retro Easter egg: how to access this classic arcade in-game
A quirky delivery leads to one of the weirdest and most delightful surprises in Death Stranding 2: a hidden arcade game with a BT-twisting twist.
Hideo Kojima is no stranger to Easter eggs, but Death Stranding 2: On the Beach may have delivered one of his most unexpected yet. Tucked deep inside the game is a fully playable version of Pac-Man, reimagined in the eerie, rain-soaked world of Death Stranding.
How to unlock the arcade Easter egg
To access the hidden game, players must complete a specific delivery mission:
- Accept a delivery to the Pizza Chef, a returning character from the first game.
- After completing the delivery, you’ll receive a suspiciously familiar-looking pizza.
- Head to the Ring Terminal in the same facility.
- Once activated, the terminal lights up, the classic Pac-Man theme begins to play, and you’re transported into a retro-styled minigame.
But this isn’t just a reskin. In this version, Pac-Man navigates a map based on Australia, dodging and defeating BTs instead of ghosts. The visual style is pixelated and nostalgic, but the mechanics are surprisingly tight, and yes, it’s fully playable.
Why it matters
This Easter egg isn’t just a nod to arcade history, it’s a perfect example of Kojima’s design philosophy: blending the bizarre with the heartfelt, the nostalgic with the surreal. It also rewards players who explore off the beaten path, reinforcing the game’s core themes of connection and curiosity.
A growing list of secrets
This Pac-Man homage joins a growing list of hidden content in Death Stranding 2, including Metal Gear references, Kojima constellation cameos, and secret nightmare sequences. But this one stands out for its sheer playability, and the joy of discovering something so unexpected in such a solemn world.
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