Retro references only true ‘80s kids will get in 'Ready Player One'

One of the more playful references in "Ready Player One" came in the form of Parzival/Wade trying to find the ideal outfit to impress Art3mis; in doing so, he decided to emulate Buckaroo Banzai, the hero of his favorite film. Released in 1984, "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension," about a genius surgeon/adventurer/musician who – with his band of misfits – battles an alien invasion, is largely considered a cult classic among fans of '80s sci-fi.

It's natural that the video game console credited with building an entire industry would have its place in "Ready Player One." The 2600 features heavily in the film's final act, along with classic titles like "Pitfall," "Centipede" and "Adventure."

Airing on NBC from 1983-87, "The A-Team" featured a group of mercenaries who were accused of a crime they didn't commit, forced to go underground and take small jobs, usually helping people and righting wrongs along the way. The show is referenced early in "Ready Player One" during a race where the team's iconic black van is shown lined up with the rest of the racers.

When Spielberg took on "Ready Player One" as his next project, the director decided early on that he would refrain from referencing his own films. One exception, however, came in the form of 1985's "Back to the Future," a film directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Spielberg. The iconic DeLorean time machine factors largely in the film, serving as the protagonist's car, but a number of other subtle references to the classic film can be found throughout.

In the '80s, monster trucks were all the rage, and none were more recognizable than Bigfoot. Created by Bob Chandler, Bigfoot is considered the first monster truck, and in "Ready Player One" a modified version of the modified pickup is used as a primary vehicle for one of the main characters.

Not all the retro references in "Ready Player One" are obvious. One subtle nod to the classic 1982 sci-fi noir "Blade Runner" came in the form of a pair of eyes. In "Blade Runner" one of the tell-tale signs of a replicant were backlit pupils that seemed to glow; in "Ready Player One" one of the main characters is seen with similar eyes during a pivotal scene.

Iconic killer doll Chucky, who first appeared in 1988's "Child's Play" and would go on to star in an entire franchise of horror films, makes a brief, but very effective cameo in "Ready Player One" as a bomb of the most unlikeliest type.

Probably one of the more obscure references only '80s kids would get, midway through the first act, when the audience is introduced to Parzival's best friend Aech's workshop, eagle-eyed viewers will spot a neon sign for Cocktails & Dreams, the fictional bar from the 1988 comedy-drama "Cocktail" starring Tom Cruise. While the film has no connection to sci-fi or gaming, the film was a hit in the '80s, earning a minor place in pop culture trivia.

Jim Henson and Frank Oz's "The Dark Crystal" plays a significant role as a potential clue in figuring out one of the three puzzles in "Ready Player One." Released in 1982, the film is best remembered for its groundbreaking special effects and has become a cult classic among fans.

The final poster for "Ready Player One" is a retro reference in and of itself as it pays homage to legendary illustrator Drew Struzan, whose work in films like "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Blade Runner" appeared on one-sheets throughout the '80s and for a number of the titles referenced in the film. Unfortunately, Struzan retired in 2008, so the poster in question was illustrated by Paul Shipper in Struzan's imitable style.

In the virtual reality domain known as the Oasis in "Ready Player One," players can present themselves as just about anyone or anything. That said, it stands to reason that some players would customize their avatars to represent even horror movie villains. One of a couple prominent appearances comes by way of Jason Voorhees, the star of the "Friday the 13th" series of films whose peak happened in the early-mid '80s.

Japanese shooter "Galaga" made its way onto American shores in 1981, as part of the coin-operated frenzy that swept the nation, landing kids and their allowances inside of local arcades. While referenced in other films like "Marvel's Avengers," its placement in "Ready Player One" comes in the form of a large poster on the walls of Gregarious Simulation Systems.

Another use of a subtle reference, the chest insignia as seen on ABC's 1981 comedic superhero show, "The Greatest American Hero," appears in a couple of scenes during "Ready Player One" in the form of car and helmet stickers. The show, which aired for three seasons, featured the misadventures of Ralph Hankey (William Katt), a schoolteacher who is gifted a red and black suit that gave him superpowers with the goal of fighting crime and protecting the innocent. 

Introduced in 1985, Madballs, a super collectible foam rubber ball featuring various gross-out characters, was all the rage among kids. "Ready Player One" resurrected this former fad in a pivotal scene only '80s kids could truly appreciate.

In 1983, one of the hottest fashion trends involved the red and black leather jacket and pants featured in Michael Jackson's video for "Thriller." "Ready Player One" pays homage during a scene when Parzival, before settling on his "Buckaroo Banzai" getup, decks himself out in the King of Pop's finest.

One of the first Big Robot series to come out of Japan in the '80s, "Mobile Suit Gundam" spawned a number of sequels, spinoffs and imitations, most notably "Robotech." In "Ready Player One" the RX-78-2 Gundam suit plays a significant role in the final battle scene, which has to be seen to be believed.

The opening sequence of "Ready Player One" festoons the screen with a myriad of blink-and-you'll-miss-them '80s references. One of those quick, yet memorable references was that of Freddy Krueger, the clown prince of horror featured in the "Nightmare on Elm Street" franchise, originally played by Robert Englund. 

1984's "Purple Rain" is iconic on a number of levels. Maybe not so much as a film, but the music and fashion set a tone for the mid-'80s and gets an homage of its own during the scene where Parzival tries out new looks for his date with Art3mis – complete with frilly collar and white-heeled boots, just like Prince wore them.

If there's any one item synonymous with the '80s, it would have to be the Rubik's Cube. Even though it resonates most with the '80s, the cube is considered the world's best selling toy. In "Ready Player One," the retro reference is mixed with another as the cube in question is known as the "Zemeckis Cube," honoring both the cube and "Back to the Future" director Robert Zemeckis.

By far, the best sequence in "Ready Player One" comes in the form of Stanley Kubrick's 1980 film "The Shining." Adapted from the novel by Stephen King, the film is recreated in "Ready Player One" as a rollercoaster ride of sorts, an ultimate funhouse where the contestants are pulled through multiple scenes of the film as they try to unlock one more step towards the ultimate easter egg.

John Hughes' fictional Chicago suburb is featured in practically all his films, from "The Breakfast Club" to "Some Kind of Wonderful," and gets a nice mention in "Ready Player One," as Shermer is used to determine whether or not IOI chief executive officer Nolan Sorrento (Ben Mendelsohn) was on the up and up.

Few toys scream '80s quite like Milton Bradley's classic electronic memory game, Simon. The toy is lovingly referenced in a flashback scene as a button worn on his lapel by a younger James Halliday.

The first "killer app" for video game consoles in 1980, "Space Invaders" is referenced a number of times in "Ready Player One," particularly on a shirt worn by James Halliday (Mark Rylance).

It's clear early on in "Ready Player One" that OASIS creator James Halliday was a bit of a Trekkie. In an early scene depicting Halliday's video will, he is shown in a casket identical to a photon torpedo featured and also used as a casket in 1982's "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan."

The famous cat logo from "ThunderCats" makes a brief appearance in "Ready Player One" in the form of a belt buckle worn by James Halliday. Originally airing from 1985-89, "ThunderCats" featured the adventures of a group of cat-like aliens defending themselves against the onslaught of their enemy Mumm-Ra.