History Shoutout / Bayonetta

** The final boss, [[spoiler:Jubileus]], is a reimagining of The Savior from ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4'', which Kamiya admits using as [[InspirationForTheWork inspiration for this game]]. Not only is [[spoiler:Jubileus]] an {{Expy}} of The Savior, the late-game plot of ''Bayonetta'' is also similar to that of ''[=DMC4=]'' - [[spoiler:Both are giant statues of deified figures (Sparda and Jubileus), controlled by a mad cultist priest (Sanctus and Father Balder) who belongs to some angelic organization (The Order of the Sword and the Lumen Sages), and a DistressedDamsel important to the player character (Kyrie and Jeanne). The main protagonist of both games (Nero and Bayonetta) are also absorbed into the statues, but are saved by the {{Deuteragonist}} (Dante and Jeanne). In both cases, the final phase of the fight begins after said damsel is saved by the protagonist, when the cult leader gains full control of the damaged remains of the statue, and both are beaten once and for all when said cultist is utterly destroyed in some way (obliterating The Savior's upper body and kicking Jubileus into the sun)]].

** BonusBoss [[spoiler:Rodin]] TurnsRed partway through the fight, his visage looking very similar to the [[SuperMode Devil Trigger]] concept in ''Devil May Cry''.

** The series' BonusBoss has a SignatureMove similar to [[Franchise/StreetFighter Akuma's Shun Goku Satsu]], complete with a blank screen and multiple hits shown. It drops your health [[NintendoHard down to a single point, but kills instantly when you have less than 50% health left]]. [[PrecisionFStrike Fuck.]] Once unlocked in ''3'', Bayonetta can summon said Bonus Boss and unleash this attack for herself using the exact same button combination as in ''Street Fighter'' (Punch, Punch, Forward, Punch+Kick).

** "[[VideoGame/DevilMayCry Let's get this party started!]] Shit's about to get real." (When you've bought the Platinum Ticket required for initiating the BonusBoss Fight)

** The Princess costumes replace halos with Mario coins and use the corresponding sound effect when they're collected. Madama Butterfly's limbs are replaced with Bowser's, and summoning one will play fresh Bowser roars from the ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros'' franchise.

* Some of Bayonetta's character and dialogue heavily reference ''Literature/AlicesAdventuresInWonderland'', like calling Luka "Cheshire".

* The Umbran Armor looks a lot like [[{{VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI}} Magitek Armor]].

* Enzo bookends the trilogy with one more Sega reference in the ending of ''Bayonetta 3'', this time mentioning [[VideoGame/GoldenAxe "The Adder"]] as a client he and Viola have recently done a job for.

* Enzo bookends the trilogy with one more Sega reference in ''Bayonetta 3'', this time mentioning [[VideoGame/GoldenAxe "The Adder"]] as a client he and Viola have recently done a job for.

** The series' BonusBoss has a SignatureMove similar to [[Franchise/StreetFighter Akuma's Shun Goku Satsu]], complete with a blank screen and multiple hits shown. It drops your health [[NintendoHard down to a single point, but kills instantly when you have less than 50% health left]]. [[PrecisionFStrike Fuck.]] Once unlocked in ''3'', Bayonetta can summon said Bonus Boss and unleash this attack for herself using the exact same button combination as in ''Street Fighter'' (Punch, Punch, Forward, Kick, Punch).