Line #13 ShoutOut/IWannaBeTheGuy


1	As a nod to old-school games, ''VideoGame/IWannaBeTheGuy'' is littered with references to classic video game series.
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3	'''Warning:''' Contains spoilers!
4	----
5	!In the original game
6	* The game draws perhaps its heaviest overall influence from the ''VideoGame/MegaMan'' series. The intro screen is a direct callback to ''VideoGame/MegaMan2'', and the game features two bosses as well as an area with music and themes taken from that game. Additionally, two very common obstacles in the game - the vanishing blocks and the insta-kill spikes of doom - are ubiquitous mainstays of the MM series.
7	* With the exception of the Guy, all of the bosses are taken from other games: [[Franchise/{{Metroid}} Mother Brain]], [[VideoGame/PunchOut Mike Tyson]], [[Franchise/{{Castlevania}} Dracula,]] [[Franchise/{{Metroid}} Kraid]][[Franchise/StreetFighter gief]], [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mecha-Birdo, Bowser, Wart]], [[VideoGame/MegaMan Dr. Wily, and the Mecha Dragon]]. In almost all cases, these are infamously difficult bosses (particularly Tyson and Dracula).
8	** The Guy's second form is a direct reference to the cyborg boss battle from ''VideoGame/ContraIIITheAlienWars'', and the Mecha-Birdo fight also possibly references the aerial boss battle from the aforementioned game.
9	** Several regular enemies qualify, as well, such as the birds from VideoGame/NinjaGaiden.
10	* Some of the screens are heavily based on areas of other games, such as ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'', ''VideoGame/MegaMan'', ''VideoGame/{{Ghosts n Goblins}}'', ''Franchise/{{The Legend of Zelda}}'', and ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}''. Also, VideoGame/{{Tetris}}. And Breakout.
11	* The ''Zelda'' area has a giant 8-bit Link who serves as a platform, but can kill you if you linger for too long.
12	** [[MemeticMutation You jumped into a sword, you retard!]]
13	** The scrolling intro text (and the "8 units") are also ''Zelda''-inspired.
14	* [[Franchise/StreetFighter Ryu]] makes an appearance and performs his trademark [[HurricaneKick "Tatsumaki Sempukyaku"]] in order to open the path to the next area.
15	* Much, if not all, of the [=BGMs=] used in-game are taken directly from other games.
16	** The save game selection screen? [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0xXyPFK-a4 "Hunt a Soul".]] The music used in the first few game screens? [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39JYengjS6E "Home Sweet Grave".]] The GameOver music? [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSXnYdgutpk "Might is Right but Tight".]] All from ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear Isuka'', but a lot of people now [[ParodyDisplacement associate them with IWBTG instead]]. The producers of ''Guilty Gear Isuka'' seem to have taken this in stride; [[http://steamcommunity.com/market/listings/753/267900-%3Adeliciousfruit%3A one of their emoticons]] unlockable by playing the Platform/{{Steam}} port directly references IWBTG.
17	** The music used for the road to The Guy's Castle is the theme from The Moon in Duck Tales, which was likely meant to lead the player to believe that a showdown with the eponymous object is imminent. This being ''I Wanna Be The Guy'', however, the reality of the situation ends up being much worse.
18	** The music used for [[VeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon The Guy's Castle]] is from ''[[VideoGame/MontyMole Monty on the Run]]'', an obscure Platform/Commodore64 game with almost as much NintendoHard difficulty.
19	** The music used for The Final Tower of The Guy? [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KlWyxgxSdY From]] ''[[VideoGame/EVOSearchForEden E.V.O. Search For Eden]]''.
20	* The Mecha-Birdo fight has the ''VideoGame/{{Ikaruga}}'' boss theme, complete with the WARNING screen in the intro.
21	* Dracula's cutscene is straight out of ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight'', with the Kid saying Richter's lines.
22	* In one of the few references ''not'' from a video game, there's a point in a tower climb where you are given two choices of paths to go up. Taking the wrong one results in death by '''[[WebAnimation/TheDementedCartoonMovie FOOBY THE KAMIKAZE WATERMELON!!]]''' (Sadly, without his trademark fanfare.)
23	* A subversion: contrary to popular belief, WordOfGod states that the title is '''not''' a reference to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KqF9G_DQls this]] short from ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner'', and that the similarity is pure coincidence.
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25	!In ''Gaiden''
26	* Once again, leaving the game alone on the main screen causes a text-crawl that explains the plot. However, this time, it's a reference to ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaIIIDraculasCurse Castlevania 3]]'''s opening text crawl.
27	* The file select screen is taken from the ship-building screen from ''VideoGame/{{Gradius}} 3''
28	* The level select screen is based off of the one for ''VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld'', and entering a stage plays the same sound used in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3''
29	* One of the first obstacles in the level select screen (that ''isn't'' Mario based) is the bridge from the first level of ''{{VideoGame/Contra}}''. [[spoiler:It explodes when you try to jump off of it]]
30	* The Kid now has the ability to use the Bionic Arm from ''VideoGame/BionicCommando'' to grapple things. The first two levels are based off of levels from ''Bionic Commando'', as well.
31	** On his download page for the game, Kayin notes that the controls are now "Z to jump, X to shoot and C to [[Memes/CapcomVs BIIIONIC AAAARM]]"
32	* The new save stations use the same sound effect that was used in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'' when using the Magic Mirror in a dungeon.
33	* After dropping Sagat into the lava, he goes through [[VideoGame/SuperMetroid Crocomire's]] melting death animation, screams and all. It shouldn't come as a surprise that his skeleton [[KaizoTrap tries to Tiger Uppercut you as you leave the level.]]

Context ShoutOut / IWannaBeTheGuy