Astro's Playroom is full of PlayStation deep cuts Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Astro's Playroom is full of PlayStation deep cuts Fan service. News by Martin Robinson Editor-in-chief Updated on 29 Oct 2020 14 comments One of the most pleasant surprises we've had with our first few days with the PlayStation 5 is the pre-loaded Astro's Playroom - an entertaining, innovative 3D platformer that could well be one of the standout titles at launch early next month. It's already wowed Digital Foundry, who used it to put the new DualSense controller through its paces, and the plethora of classic PlayStation references has really impressed me. We're only allowed at present to talk about one level, though I think it's okay to give some minor context - Astro's Playroom is set within the PS5 itself, each of its four areas representing a different part of PlayStation's history. The level we can talk about - Cooling Springs - is an ode to the dear old PlayStation 3, and within it you'll find artefacts like the Move Controller, or its associated gadgets and gimmicks (there's even a Move Gun attachment, accompanied by the nicely sardonic line 'Met With Resistance'), and a lovely little putdown to Uncharted as a gaggle of astrobots gather round to play something called 'Dude Raider'. All that's missing is Phil Harrison cracking some jokes through it all. The deepest cut, though, is one that you might miss, so I hope you don't mind me pointing it out. In the first area you'll explore, there's an area full of bobbing yellow plastic ducks - a neat reference to the ducks demo that accompanied our first looks at the PS3 back at E3 2005 and 2006, and would later go on to become Super Rub a Dub. It's indicative of the kind of detail you can find in what's an exquisite little game. There are more explicit references too, and as you explore the levels you'll occasionally see little astrobots holding cameras as the other bots re-enact famous scenes from PlayStation's past, from Fat Princess through to... Well, you should discover most of them for yourself. I've included a small batch below for the truly curious, but if you want to go in fresh best not scroll past the spoiler warning. Watch on YouTube SPOILER WARNING - DO NOT SCROLL BELOW HERE IF YOU WANT TO AVOID EASTER EGGS IN ASTRO'S PLAYROOM'S FIRST LEVEL Buoy! It took me a short while to get this one - the references here are broad and many, and these are just a fraction of those you'll find in the opening level. Who's that hiding under there? Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 3 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 10 Latest Articles Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 3 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store