History ShoutOut / Bayonetta

* In ''Bayonetta 3'', when Jeanns sends a giant Homunculus sinking to its demise in a pit of molten metal, it does what anybody would do in its position... [[Film/Terminator2JudgmentDay flash a thumbs-up]].

** The series' BonusBoss has a SignatureMove similar to [[Franchise/StreetFighter Akuma's Shun Goku Satsu]], complete with a blank screen and multiple hits shown. It drops your health [[NintendoHard down to a single point, but kills instantly when you have less than 50% health left]]. [[PrecisionFStrike Fuck.]] Once unlocked in ''3'', Bayonetta can summon Rodin and unleash this attack for herself using the exact same button combination as in ''Street Fighter'' (Punch, Punch, Forward, Kick, Punch).

** One of the demonic beasts you can summon is a reference to Phantom from ''Devil May Cry 1''. Both happen to be giant demonic spiders filled with lava. Oddly enough, it's portrayed in almost the opposite way; this demon is one of only ''two'' demons referred to positively. It is described as curious, rare, and willing to offer treasures or rare knowledge to those who find it, as opposed to the others which are for the most part, described as brutal monstrosities.

** The way Bayonetta and Phantasmaraneae meet each other in ''VideoGame/Bayonetta3'' is a shot-for-shot remake of the first time Dante and Phantom met each other in ''Devil May Cry 1''. Phantasmaraneae's lines are basically tweaked from Phantom's original lines.

** The demons in Inferno drop life essence in the form of red orbs, which have the same monetary value as halos. Red Orbs are the common currency in the ''DMC'' games.

** The series' BonusBoss has a SignatureMove similar to [[Franchise/StreetFighter Akuma's Shun Goku Satsu]], complete with a blank screen and multiple hits shown. It drops your health [[NintendoHard down to a single point, but kills instantly when you have less than 50% health left]]. [[PrecisionFStrike Fuck.]]

* The FlavorText of the Bloody Moon weapon states that Jeanne's superhero name is [[Anime/CuteyHoney Cutie J]]; she's is a {{magical girl}} superheroine in her off time, wielding a weapon powered by [[Franchise/SailorMoon the moon]].

* ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil'' Every now and then when you enter his, Rodin will amusingly quote the Merchant's infamous "What're you buying?", saying he heard it in a game once.

** The way Bayonetta and Pantasmaraneae meet each other in ''VideoGame/Bayonetta3'' is a shot-for-shot remake of the first time Dante and Phantom met each other in ''Devil May Cry 1''.

* During ''Bayonetta 2'''s opening cinematic, the Sega logo is seen on a [[VideoGame/CrazyTaxi taxi]].
* Luka and Rodin end up in a car that looks similar to one from ''VideoGame/CrazyTaxi''.

** When the Masked Lumen vows to finally kill Bayonetta after their previous two fights, she responds [[IsThatWhatTheyreCallingItNow "So you're saying diplomacy has failed, then?"]]

* The flying squadron in ''Bayonetta 2'''s opening cutscene is called the "Platinum Stars", reflecting Platinum Games' logo.

* [[Creator/ChristopherWalken "I've got a fever and the only cure is more dead angels."]][[note]]What makes it even funnier is [[Film/TheProphecy who Walken played in some movies]].[[/note]]

* When scanning Amiibo in the Switch version of ''2'', some will give you a note from Rodin asking if he can come along to that "[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros all-star fight club]]" next time. It's possibly because of this that he becomes an Assist Trophy in ''Ultimate''. In addition to Amiibo that reward Nintendo themed suits, certain Amiibo will give Rodin packages from [[VideoGame/DonkeyKong a Jungle Crew]], VideoGame/YoshisIsland, [[VideoGame/{{Pikmin}} a Space Man who crashed on a distant planet}]], [[VideoGame/AnimalCrossing an odd little village]], and [[VideoGame/{{Splatoon}} Inkopolis]].

* Bayonetta can summon a group of tiny demons to attack her foes during a Climax. Each one has their own personality and a number on their forehead, with one number in the sequence missing due to their master considering it unlucky. Their name? Oh, they're called [[Manga/JojosBizarreAdventureVentoAureo Sex Pist]]-- er, Little Devils.

--->''"Flock off, feather-face!"'' [powers up] ''"Let's '''rock''', baby!"''

** The final boss, [[spoiler:Jubileus]], is a reimagining of The Savior from ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4'', which Kamiya admits using as [[InspirationForTheWork inspiration for this game]]. Not only is [[spoiler:Jubileus]] an {{Expy}} of The Savior, the late-game plot of ''Bayonetta'' is also similar to that of ''[=DMC4=]'' - [[spoiler:Both are giant statues of deified figures (Sparda and Jubileus), controlled by a mad cultist priest (Sanctus and Father Baldur) who belongs to some angelic organization (The Order of the Sword and the Lumen Sages), and a DistressedDamsel important to the player character (Kyrie and Jeanne). The main protagonist of both games (Nero and Bayonetta) are also absorbed into the statues, but are saved by the {{Deuteragonist}} (Dante and Jeanne). In both cases, the final phase of the fight begins after said damsel is saved by the protagonist, when the cult leader gains full control of the damaged remains of the statue, and both are beaten once and for all when said cultist is utterly destroyed in some way (obliterating The Savior's upper body and kicking Jubileus into the sun)]].

** The Beast Within speed forms all leave behind flowers as they dash. The Masked Lumen's is most blatant, as he morphs into a white wolf that leaves behind very healthy and colorful wildflowers.

* The scene where the giant Beloved grabs Cereza and tries to take her is quite reminiscent of ''Franchise/KingKong'', with the giant monstrosity falls for a girl smaller than his hand.

* The flying squadron in ''Bayonetta 2'''s opening cutscene is called the "Platinum Stars," reflecting Platinum Games' logo.

** Luka's father is named Antonio Redgrave. "Tony Redgrave" is Dante's alias from the prequel novel of the first ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry1'' game, which is also inscribed on his guns, Ebony and Ivory.
** One of the demonic beasts Bayonetta can summon is a reference to Phantom from ''Devil May Cry 1''. Both happen to be giant demonic spiders filled with lava. Oddly enough, it's portrayed in almost the opposite way; this demon is one of only ''two'' demons referred to positively. It is described as curious, rare, and willing to offer treasures or rare knowledge to those who find it, as opposed to the others which are for the most part, described as brutal monstrosities.

** Bayonetta can earn an item called "Bracelet of Time", which lets her trigger [[BulletTime Witch Time]] on command. A similarly-named "Bangle of Time" appears in the original ''Devil May Cry'' and serves a nearly-identical purpose (halting enemies while letting Dante move freely). The description itself reads "''Eva, a truly extraordinary witch, entered into contract with a legendary dark knight, and then faced the amassed armies of Inferno,''" which references the ''marriage contract'' between Dante's mother Eva and his father, the Legendary Dark Knight Sparda.
** The "Immortal Marionette" item is designed after the enemy {{mooks}} from the original ''Devil May Cry'', specifically the red-clad "Bloody Mari" variant. When equipped, Bayonetta's combo attacks will be easier to activate (just like the "Easy Automatic" settings of the ''Devil May Cry'' games), but it will reduce the combo points earned by half when used in Hard or Non-Stop Infinite Climax difficulties.

** The bonus weapons for completing the game on any difficulty, the "Handguns" (non-magical guns similar to Beyonetta's normal guns) look similar to the guns used by characters from the ''Devil May Cry'' series; specifically, the hand set look like Dante's own Ebony and Ivory, and the heel set look like Luce and Ombra, the guns used by Dante's father Sparda (and later on, Trish). This may also be a subtle TakeThat to the ''DMC'' series after Hideki Kamiya's departure from the franchise, since these guns are the weakest weapons in the game, being incapable of channeling magic and being referred to by Bayonetta as "cheap toys" in the first game and "on sale" in the sequel.

** When performing a Torture Attack on an angel lying on the ground, Bayonetta will usually flatten them with a tombstone initialized "DMC".
** The final boss, [[spoiler:Jubileus]], is a reimagining of The Savior from ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4'', which Kamiya admits using as [[InspirationForTheWork inspiration for this game]]. Not only is [[spoiler:Jubileus]] an {{Expy}} of The Savior, the late-game plot of ''Bayonetta'' is also similar to that of ''[=DMC4=]'' - [[spoiler:Both are giant statues of deified figures (The Savior and Jubileus), controlled by a mad cultist priest (Sanctus and Father Baldur) who belongs to some angelic organization (The Order of the Sword and the Lumen Sages), and a DistressedDamsel important to the player character (Kyrie and Jeanne). The main protagonist of both games (Nero and Bayonetta) are also absorbed into the statues, but are saved by the {{Deuteragonist}} (Dante and Jeanne). In both cases, the final phase of the fight begins after said damsel is saved by the protagonist, when the cult leader gains full control of the damaged remains of the statue, and both are beaten once and for all when said cultist is utterly destroyed in some way (obliterating The Savior's upper body and kicking Jubileus into the sun)]].

** If you beat the game on its hardest setting, you unlock a weapon called Pillow Talk, which is a green, lightsaber-ish sword, and was taken straight out of ''Okami'' (including the name), in which it was wielded by Waka during both battles against him. Pillow Talk hosts a ChargedAttack that will extend the blade and increase its power , and both and the 修羅刃 -Shuraba- host a cool but lengthy secret special attack that has Bayonetta perform a clockwise brandish before slicing downwards, unleashing a beam of energy when fully charged. Older fans will realize that these moves and even the weapon itself are brought over from the repertoire of Hayato Kanzaki of ''VideoGame/StarGladiator'' fame. More fun references? Mahavirocana, the demon that inhabits Pillow Talk, is the king of Asura in Hinduism, and Hayato's blade extending move is called Asura, and his downwards energy wave slash is called Engetsu, meaning Full Moon. Even in ''Okami'', Waka unsheathes Pillow Talk in the same fashion as Hayato. Someone down at Platinum must be very proud of ''Star Gladiator'' in his resume, and for good reason too, the game was Creator/{{Capcom}}'s first foray into the 3D genre. "Pillow Talk" is also the name of one of the end songs from the first ''Devil May Cry'' game.

** Bayonetta's After Burner Kick has similar attributes to Joe's Red Hot Kick.

** The "Immortal Marionette" item is designed after the enemy {{mooks}} from the original ''Devil May Cry'', specifically the red-clad "Bloody Mari" variant. When equipped, Bayonetta's combo attacks will be easier to activate (just like the "Easy Automatic" settings of the ''Devil May Cry'' games), but it will reduce the points earned by half.

** If you beat the game on its hardest setting, you unlock a weapon called Pillow Talk, which is a green, lightsaber-ish sword, and was taken straight out of ''Okami'' (including the name), in which it was wielded by Waka during both battles against him. Pillow Talk hosts a ChargedAttack that will extend the blade and increase its power , and both and the Shuraba host a cool but lengthy secret special attack that has Bayonetta perform a clockwise brandish before slicing downwards, unleashing a beam of energy when fully charged. Older fans will realize that these moves and even the weapon itself are brought over from the repertoire of Hayato Kanzaki of ''VideoGame/StarGladiator'' fame. More fun references? Mahavirocana, the demon that inhabits Pillow Talk, is the king of Asura in Hinduism, and Hayato's blade extending move is called Asura, and his downwards energy wave slash is called Engetsu, meaning Full Moon. Even in ''Okami'', Waka unsheathes Pillow Talk in the same fashion as Hayato. Someone down at Platinum must be very proud of ''Star Gladiator'' in his resume, and for good reason too, the game was Creator/{{Capcom}}'s first foray into the 3D genre. "Pillow Talk" is also the name of one of the end songs from the first ''Devil May Cry'' game.

** The Hero of Hyrule costume plays sound effects from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI'' or ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'', gives Bayonetta a permanent parry option thanks to the Hylian Shield on her wrist, and replaces Shuraba with the light-elemental Master Sword. Halos are replaced with rupees and will use rupee collection sound.

* In one of the early scenes where Bayonetta gets a ride from Enzo, the radio in Enzo's car is playing "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzsqx5uXmpA Magical Sound Shower]]", one of the music tracks from the original ''VideoGame/OutRun''.

* A Chain Chomp makes a guest appearance as the only leg weapon in ''Bayonetta 2''. The LP that Rodin uses to lure it out is the theme from [[VideoGame/SuperMario64 Bob-Omb Battlefield]], and the Umbran Elegance that goes with it will give Bayonetta and Jeanne custom hats and mustaches based on Mario and Luigi.
** Based on its description, Rodin [[CurbStompBattle encountered]] the Chain Chomp in Kyoto, which is where Nintendo of Japan's headquarters are located.

** The Galactic Bounty Hunter suit gives Bayonetta sounds from the ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime'' trilogy and Jeanne sounds from the original ''VideoGame/Metroid1'' and ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid''. Additionally, the double jump and Beast Within dash are replaced with a Screw Attack and morph ball (including bombs in ''Bayonetta 2''), and the "fire" button instead fires Samus's arm cannon and Charge Shot, complete with pose.

** The Ithavoll Building's cannon instructions reference an old Sega arcade game variously called "Strategic Defense Initiative," "SDI," or "Global Defense."

* One of the unlockable weapons was forged with the soul of an insane Vietnam veteran named [[Film/ApocalypseNow Lt. Col. Kilgore]], and shares his name. And Jeanne's version of the same weapon is filled with the malice of [[Film/ScentOfAWoman Col. Slade]].
** The LP used to unlock Kilgore, "Music/RideOfTheValkyries", is a reference to one of the film's most famous scenes.
* [[Franchise/IndianaJones "Tentacles... why did it have to be tentacles?!"]]

* The names of the in-game worlds, Paradiso, Purgatorio, and Inferno are a reference to Dante Alighieri's ''Literature/TheDivineComedy''.
* Jeanne also calls Bayonetta ''Literature/SleepingBeauty'' at one point from the first game.

* A blue flame ignites in Bayonetta's Left Eye before she attacks Gomorrah, which could be a shout-out to either ''Anime/BlackRockShooter'' or the "[[https://jojowiki.com/Dark_Determination "dark determination"]] from ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure''.

* The FlavorText of the Bloody Moon weapon states that Jeanne's superhero name is [[Anime/CuteyHoney Cutie J]]; she's is a ''{{magical girl}} superheroine'' in her off time, wielding a weapon powered by [[Franchise/SailorMoon the moon]].

* Performing the PPPPP combo with Sai Fung will make Bayonetta let out Creator/BruceLee's signature {{Kiai}}. The weapon's name is a shoutout to Bruce Lee's childhood nickname.

* Sega has had a long relationship with [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Evangelion]]. If they're making a game with angels as the bad guys, they might as well reference it.
** The context when the song "Fly Me to the Moon" is playing.

** The satellite Balder uses during his fight, [[http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/bayonetta/images/2/27/Satellite%27s_System_16.jpg the Stun Paron]], is modeled after the boss [[http://cdn.wikimg.net/strategywiki/images/2/2a/Fantasy_Zone_boss_stamperon.gif Stamperon]] from ''VideoGame/FantasyZone''. The satellite's name itself is a direct reference to Sega's System 16 Arcade hardware.

* Luka's introductory cutscene in the first game contains quite a few nods to ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed'', such as a hooded man being chased by an armored guard, and the element of hiding.
* Luka and Rodin end up in a car that looks similar to one from ''VideoGame/CrazyTaxi''.

* When scanning Amiibo in the Switch version of ''2'', some will give you a note from Rodin asking if he can come along to that "[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros all-star fight club]]" next time. It's possibly because of this that he becomes an Assist Trophy in ''Ultimate''.
** In addition to amiibo that reward Nintendo themed suits, certain amiibo will give Rodin packages from [[VideoGame/DonkeyKong a Jungle Crew]], VideoGame/YoshisIsland, [[VideoGame/{{Pikmin}} a Space Man who crashed on a distant planet}]], [[VideoGame/AnimalCrossing an odd little village]], and [[VideoGame/{{Splatoon}} Inkopolis]].

** The climax of Glamor's boss fight, in which Diomedes slices three separate Glamors into several pieces, bears a strong resemblance to the Blade Mode sequences in Revengeance, right down to the slicer being in the same position as Raiden.

* Four of Luka's supposed past flings[[note]](actually his pets)[[/note]] have some... ''familiar'' names: [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil2 Claire]], [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry Trish]], and [[VideoGame/ViewtifulJoe Silvia]], and [[VideoGame/{{Okami}} Ammy]].
** The cat named Claire also has a doodle nearby that looks like Joe and is eating a hamburger, which is the food item Joe uses to restore health.

** Luka's father is named [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry Antonio Redgrave]].
** One of the demonic beasts Bayonetta can summon is a reference to Phantom from ''Devil May Cry''. Both happen to be giant demonic spiders filled with lava. Oddly enough, it's portrayed in almost the opposite way; this demon is one of only ''two'' demons referred to positively. It is described as curious, rare, and willing to offer treasures or rare knowledge to those who find it, as opposed to the others which are for the most part described as brutal monstrosities.

** Enzo shares his name with an offscreen ''Devil May Cry'' character who Dante owes money to.
** An item Bayonetta can earn is called the "Bracelet of Time", which lets her trigger Witch Time on command. A similarly named "Bangle of Time" appears in the original ''Devil May Cry'' and serves a nearly identical purpose (halting enemies while letting Dante move freely). The description itself reads "''Eva, a truly extraordinary witch, entered into contract with a legendary dark knight, and then faced the amassed armies of Inferno,''" which references the ''marriage contract'' between Dante's mother Eva and his father, the Legendary Dark Knight Sparda.
** Another item is the "Immortal Marionette", which is designed after the enemy mooks from the original ''Devil May Cry'', specifically the red-clad "Bloody Mari" variant. When equipped, Bayonetta's combo attacks will be easier to activate (identical to the "Easy Automatic" settings of the ''Devil May Cry'' games), but it will reduce the points earned by half.
** [[DemonicSpiders Grace & Glory's]] [[MookDebutCutscene intro cutscene]] looks a lot like when the [[AnIcePerson Frosts]] were introduced during mission 17 in ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry''.
** The bonus weapons for completing the game on any difficulty, the 'Handguns' (non-magical guns similar to Beyonetta's normal guns) look similar to the guns used by characters from the ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' series; specifically the hand set look like Dante's own Ebony and Ivory, and the heel set look like Luce and Ombra, the guns used by Dante's father (and later on, Trish). This may also be a subtle TakeThat to the DMC series after Hideki Kamiya's departure from the franchise, since these guns are the weakest weapons in the game, being incapable of channeling magic and being referred to by Bayonetta as "cheap toys" in the first game and "on sale" in the sequel.
** BonusBoss [[spoiler:Rodin]] TurnsRed partway through the fight, his visage looking very similar to the concept of the [[SuperMode Devil Trigger]] in ''Devil May Cry''.
** The demons in Inferno drop life essence in the form of red orbs, which have the same monetary value as halos.
** The angels share some major similarities with Mundus, the BigBad of the First ''Devil May Cry'', being [[BodyHorror Body Horrific]] masses of flesh, tentacles and eyes encased in bodies that resemble divine statues. The Cardinal Virtues in particular show off some grisly detail when you damage them enough.

** The final boss, [[spoiler:Jubileus]], is a reimagining of the one from ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4'', which Kamiya admits he used as inspiration for the game. [[spoiler: Both are giant statues of deified figures (The Savior and Jubileus), controlled by a mad cultist priest (Sanctus and Father Baldur) and a DistressedDamsel important to the player character (Kirie and Jeanne). In both cases, the final phase of the fight begins after said damsel is saved by the protagonist, when the cult leader gains full control of the damaged remains of the statue, and both are beaten once and for all when said cultist is utterly destroyed in some way (obliterating The Savior's upper body and kicking Jubileus into the sun)]].

** Bayonetta draws Ammy's facial markings onto Luka's face at one point.

** If you beat the game on its hardest setting, you unlock a weapon called Pillow Talk, which is a green, lightsaber-ish sword, and was taken straight out of ''Okami'' (including the name), in which it was wielded by Waka during both battles against him. Pillow Talk hosts a charge attack that will extend the blade and increase its power , and both and the Shuraba host a cool but lengthy secret special attack that has Bayonetta perform a clockwise brandish before slicing downwards, unleashing a beam of energy when fully charged. Older fans will realize that these moves and even the weapon itself are brought over from the repertoire of Hayato Kanzaki of Star Gladiator fame. More fun references, Mahavirocana, the demon that inhabits Pillow Talk, is the king of Asura in Hinduism, and Hayato's blade extending move is called Asura, and his downwards energy wave slash is called Engetsu, meaning Full Moon. Even in Okami, Waka unsheathes Pillow Talk in the same fashion as Hayato. Someone down at Platinum must be very proud of Star Gladiator in his resume, and for good reason too, the game was Capcom's first foray into the 3D genre. "Pillow Talk" is also the name of one of the end songs from ''Devil May Cry'', the very first one.
** The Golem boss is basically a {{magitek}} version of Yami. Later on Kamiya [[https://twitter.com/PG_kamiya/status/967049511007805440 states]] that a spherical construction boss is a recurring thing for him.
*** Similarly, the Enchant enemies are basically Wheeled Destructions transplanted lock, stock, and barrel from {{VideoGame/Okami}} to {{VideoGame/Bayonetta}}

** Joe has a headstone in the first game's graveyard, complete with the epitaph of "The Red Hot Home Run Hitter," in a possible TakeThat at Capcom for abandoning the franchise.
** Bayonetta shouts an unclear, unsubtitled line in the third chapter of the first game that sounds [[WritingAroundTrademarks as much like]] "Dancin' a-go-go, baby!" as it does "Henshin a-go-go, baby!"

** The Moon of Mahaa-Kahlaa accessory enables the use of ''VideoGame/StreetFighterIII'''s parrying system, complete with its method of use (move toward an incoming attack shortly before it hits).
** The series BonusBoss has a signature move similar to [[Franchise/StreetFighter Akuma's Shun Goku Satsu]], complete with a blank screen and multiple hits shown. It drops your health [[NintendoHard down to a single point, but kills instantly when you have less than 50% health left]]. [[PrecisionFStrike Fuck.]]

* Bayonetta's left eye ignites with a [[Anime/BlackRockShooter blue flame]] before she fights Gomorrah.

** In addition to amiibo that reward Nintendo themed suits, certain amiibo will give Rodin packages from [[VideoGame/DonkeyKong a Jungle Crew]], [[VideoGame/YoshisIsland Yoshi's Island]], {{VideoGame/Pikmin a Space Man who crashed on a distant planet}}, [[VideoGame/AnimalCrossing an odd little village]], and {{VideoGame/Splatoon Inkopolis}}.

** The font for the display in the motorbike section control instructions? Straight out of ''Hang-On'', Sega's 1985 motorbike-based classic.

* ''VideoGame/StreetFighter'':

** The series BonusBoss has a signature move similar to [[VideoGame/StreetFighter Akuma's Shun Goku Satsu]], complete with a blank screen and multiple hits shown. It drops your health [[NintendoHard down to a single point, but kills instantly when you have less than 50% health left]]. [[PrecisionFStrike Fuck.]]

*** Similarly, the Enchant enemies are basically Wheeled Destructions from transplanted lock, stock, and barrel from {{VideoGame/Okami}} to {{VideoGame/Bayonetta}}