Best Borderlands 4 Easter Eggs & Pop Culture References (How to Find Them)

The Borderlands series has always been known for its humor, pop culture references, and quirky easter eggs—and Borderlands 4 continues that legacy. From Halo quotes to Shrek parodies, Gearbox has once again hidden dozens of secrets across Kairos for players to discover.

If you’re an explorer at heart, these Borderlands 4 easter eggs are worth hunting down. Here’s a full breakdown of the funniest, weirdest, and most meta references we’ve spotted so far—and how you can find them yourself.

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Legendary Weapons with Pop Culture Red Text

Borderlands 4’s legendary loot doesn’t just shine in combat—it also comes with witty red text descriptions pulled straight from movies and games.

• Lead Balloon Shotgun (Riptide Grotto) – Includes the line “For a brick, he flew pretty good”, a direct reference to Sgt. Johnson from Halo 2.
• War Paint Repkit (Cuspid Climb) – Reads “You shall ride eternal”, a nod to Mad Max: Fury Road (2015).
• Mission Keycard – Features “It even has a watermark”, parodying Patrick Bateman’s iconic line in American Psycho (2000).

Tip: Always check weapon descriptions—you never know what quote you’ll stumble upon.

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Dunk Watson’s Return – The Ultimate Slam Dunk

Location: “And Welcome to the Jam” side mission (Camp Spinesquelch, Carcadia Burn)

Dunk Watson, first introduced in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, finally completes his long journey in Borderlands 4. After spending 11 years floating through space following his legendary slam dunk, Dunk makes his triumphant return in this side mission. It’s the ultimate payoff for longtime fans.

Tediore Pokémon & Team Rocket Parody

 Location: “Wayward Gun” (Dusk’s Advent, Cuspid Climb, Terminus Range)

This hilarious side quest references Pokémon directly. Players team up with Bash (a play on Ash Ketchum) to capture rogue Tediore guns—yes, guns with legs—using “Catch-tainers” that function just like Poké Balls.

As if that wasn’t enough, a parody duo resembling Team Rocket’s Jesse and James shows up to complete the Pokémon tribute.

Shrek & Donkey in the Swamp

Location: Mirehome (Idolator’s Noose, Fadefields)

Venture into Mirehome, and you’ll meet Wreck and Burro—obvious spoofs of Shrek and Donkey. The swamp is littered with warning signs, and of course, Wreck is a giant green ogre guarding his home. While there’s no special loot, this easter egg is worth the laugh.

Embracer’s Bluff – Meta Commentary on Embracer Group

Location: Embracer’s Bluff (Lopside, Carcadia Burn)

Gearbox pokes fun at its corporate past here. The area resembles a run-down slum with clear references to Embracer Group, the company that acquired Gearbox in 2021 before selling it back to Take-Two. The subtle commentary is that while citizens suffer, the mayor thrives—an obvious jab at Embracer’s controversial layoffs.

Famous Movie-Inspired Weapons

Borderlands 4 goes all-in with weapons that mimic iconic movie gear:

• Ohm I Got (Stoneblood Forest) – A Proton Pack-inspired weapon straight from Ghostbusters.
• Noisy Cricket (Hungering Plains) – A tiny but powerful pistol from Men in Black.
• Other hidden weapons reference franchises like Game of Thrones.

Tannis on a Fish (With Handsome Jack Cameo)

 Location: Northwest of The Howl (Fadefields)

A returning gag from past games, this easter egg features a cardboard cutout of Dr. Patricia Tannis riding a fish. To trigger it, players must shoot explosive barrels in a specific order: Corrosive → Cryo → Incendiary → Shock → Radiation.

Doing so creates a scene where Tannis takes out a cutout of Handsome Jack, and you’ll even unlock the “Cut That Out” trophy.

Borderlands 4 is more than just a looter-shooter—it’s also a love letter to pop culture. From Halo and Pokémon to Shrek and Ghostbusters, Gearbox has stuffed the game with easter eggs for fans to discover. Whether you’re chasing legendary weapons or wandering through hidden swamps, there’s always something hilarious waiting around the corner.

If you’re a completionist or just love gaming references, these easter eggs make Borderlands 4’s open world even more rewarding to explore.