Borderlands 4 is not just about guns, explosions, and chaotic looting. If you look closely, the game is full of clever Easter eggs, pop-culture references, and hidden ways to obtain legendary loot. Here is a small overview of the funniest, weirdest, and most rewarding secrets across Kairos!
Throwbacks & Classic References
- Old-School HUD: Right after Arjay and his ECHO rescue you from Timekeeper’s captivity, the HUD from the original Borderlands flashes for a split second. If you played previous games, you will love the nostalgia.
- AAAA Experience: Claptrap hands out “hot dogs” that are actually batteries, humorously labeled The True AAAA Experience, poking fun at Ubisoft’s old Quad-A marketing.
- Scooter Returns: The Catch-A-Ride achievement features a skull resembling Scooter, referencing the beloved character from previous games.
Pop-Culture Easter Eggs
- Shrek & Donkey: In Mirehome swamp, defeat the green ogre Wreck and his companion Burro. This is an obvious Shrek reference, it is hard to unsee.
- Halo: Lead Balloon shotgun quotes the iconic “For a brick, he flew pretty good,” nodding to Master Chief.
- Ghostbusters: The SMG Ohm I Got references the classic 1984 line, “Back off, man. I’m a scientist.“
- American Psycho: Kill the Big Orange Hothead and grab a Facility Keycard with the description “Oh my god, it even has a watermark…“
- Batman: Light the Clap Signal during the Potty Mouth side quest, and Claptrap swoops in like a miniature Dark Knight.
Hidden Achievements & Collectibles
- Marcus Bobbleheads: 200 scattered across Kairos, glowing with a legendary aura. Flick each for 100 XP and farm them repeatedly as they reset over time.
- Tannis on a Fish: Shoot elemental barrels in the following order near Coastal Bonescape to trigger the Tannis Fish Easter egg and earn an achievement:
- Corrosive
- Cryogenic
- Incendiary
- Shock Radiation
Secret Quests & Loot Opportunities
- Pokémon-Style Side Quest: In Cuspid Climb, the Wayward Gun quest has you “catching” rogue Tediore firearms using Catch-tainers, complete with knockoff Team Rocket villains.
- Moxxi’s Tip Jar: Give generous tips to Moxxi’s Bottoms Up! jar for a chance at Legendary weapons. The amount needed can vary between $20k-$68k.
- Legendary Vending Machine: Complete the Vend of the Line side mission for the chance to buy a Legendary weapon for just $1.
Fun & Quirky Interactions
- Fake Computers: The scrolling green text on computers is not real code. It is just nonsense to make NPCs look busy.
- Plinko Game: Participate in a Plinko-inspired gambling game during the PowerDrop side mission for weapon rewards.
- Soccer Field at Launchpad: Kick or shoot the ball endlessly for fun, pointless chaos that rewards you with little bonuses along the way.
- Noisy Cricket Pistol: A nod to Men in Black, complete with flavor-text quotes.
Borderlands 4 definitely rewards curiosity as much as combat skills. Explore, experiment, and keep an eye out for these secrets! You never know when you will stumble across a legendary weapon, a hilarious Easter egg, or a cheeky nod to your favorite pop culture.
