Borderlands has always thrived on humor, hidden nods, and clever references to pop culture, and Borderlands 4 continues that tradition with some of the most creative Easter Eggs in the series. From movie parodies to nostalgic callbacks and secret weapons, the game rewards players who take the time to explore beyond the main missions.
Below is a breakdown of the best Easter Eggs in Borderlands 4 that you can hunt down and enjoy.
1. Tannis on a Fish
One of the franchise’s most beloved memes makes a return. Hidden in the northwestern corner of The Howl in the Fadefields, you’ll come across barrels arranged near a shack. Shooting them in the correct sequence—Corrosive, Cryo, Incendiary, Shock, and Radiation—triggers a surprise cutscene. A cardboard cutout of Dr. Patricia Tannis appears, riding a giant fish, before dramatically colliding with a cutout of Handsome Jack. The scene even rewards you with the “Cut That Out” trophy.
2. Shrek and Donkey Parody: Wreck and Burro
In the swampy region of Mirehome in Idolator’s Noose, trespassers are greeted with warning signs telling them to turn back. Ignoring them leads to a fight with a green ogre named Wreck and his sidekick Burro (Spanish for Donkey). It’s an unmistakable nod to Shrek, and while the battle doesn’t drop exclusive loot, it’s a fun discovery that showcases Gearbox’s playful humor.
3. Pokémon-Style Side Quest
The Wayward Gun quest in Cuspid Climb reimagines Pokémon with a Borderlands twist. Here, you’ll capture rogue Tediore weapons using Catch-tainers, which function like Poké Balls. A parody duo resembling Team Rocket also tries to foil your progress, delivering one of the most entertaining side missions in the game.
4. Legendary Movie Weapons
Borderlands 4 is packed with weapons that double as pop culture tributes:
- Ohm I Got: A Ghostbusters-inspired SMG that mimics a proton pack.
- Noisy Cricket: A tiny but powerful pistol straight out of Men in Black, complete with its iconic quote in the description.
- Lead Balloon Shotgun: Drops from Splashzone and features the line, “For a brick, he flew pretty good,” referencing Halo 2.
- War Paint Repkit: Reads “You shall ride eternal,” a nod to Mad Max: Fury Road.
- American Psycho Keycard: Found after defeating Big Orange Hothead, the description says, “It even has a watermark,” echoing Patrick Bateman’s infamous business card scene.
These small details prove it’s always worth reading weapon flavor text closely.
5. Marcus Bobbleheads
Scattered all over Kairos are collectible Marcus Bobbleheads, each granting 100 XP when flicked. There are 200 in total, cleverly hidden in obscure locations. While it’s unclear if collecting them all unlocks a final reward, they’re a neat callback to Marcus’ role as the series’ most iconic weapons dealer.
6. Moxxi’s Legendary Tip Jar
At Moxxi’s Bottoms Up! bar in Carcadia Burn, tipping her generously can net you Legendary Weapons. The rewards are unpredictable—some players have unlocked them after a modest contribution, while others had to pour in tens of thousands. The moment hearts float above the jar and Moxxi hands over a weapon is worth the gamble.
7. Embracer’s Bluff
Deep in Carcadia Burn, the Embracer’s Bluff location is a tongue-in-cheek jab at Gearbox’s real-world history. Named after the Embracer Group—the company that once owned Gearbox before selling it to Take-Two—the area is depicted as a dump, poking fun at the publisher’s missteps. It’s one of the rare moments where the developers directly reference their corporate past.
8. Claptrap’s Batman Moment
During the Potty Mouth side quest, you can light up a signal that looks suspiciously like the Bat-Signal. To everyone’s surprise, Claptrap answers the call, channeling his inner Dark Knight. While he may not clean up Gotham, he’s at least good for some comedic relief.
9. Dunk Watson’s Return
Long-time fans of The Pre-Sequel may remember Dunk Watson, the aspiring basketball player who attempted the ultimate dunk and ended up floating in space for years. In the And Welcome to the Jam mission, Watson finally completes his legendary slam after more than a decade adrift. It’s a small but heartfelt payoff for dedicated fans.
10. Hidden Terminals and Fake Code
Take a closer look at the glowing green text on in-game terminals, and you’ll notice it’s not code at all. Instead, it’s random musings written to look technical—lines from someone pretending to work while admitting they don’t know how to code. It’s a perfect fit for Borderlands’ irreverent tone.
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Borderlands 4 doesn’t just pack in action and loot—it thrives on the unexpected. From meme-worthy cutscenes like Tannis on a Fish, to subtle nods at corporate drama with Embracer’s Bluff, these Easter Eggs highlight Gearbox’s trademark mix of humor, satire, and creativity.
Whether you’re a completionist chasing down Marcus Bobbleheads or a casual player stumbling into Wreck’s swamp, these secrets make Pandora and beyond feel alive with personality. The next time you’re roaming, take a detour—you never know what reference you’ll uncover next. Play Now!
