Top 10 Secret Levels in Video Games and How to Find Them

Top 10 Hidden Levels in Video Games (And How to Find Them)

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Hidden Video Game Level

What, you don’t know about that level? Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 hidden levels in video games (and how to find them). For this list, we’ll be looking at hidden levels that have been scattered throughout various video games and explaining how to find them. We’ll be ranking the list on a combination of factors, including the enjoyability of the level itself, how hard it is to find, and its ubiquity within gaming culture.

“Sonic Adventure 2” (2001)

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Green Hill is one of the most iconic levels in gaming history, serving as the introductory stage of “Sonic the Hedgehog.” Fans were pleased to hear that a complete 3D remake of the level had been included within the Dreamcast’s “Sonic Adventure 2.” The only problem was getting there. In order to access the hidden level, players needed to collect all 180 emblems scattered throughout the game and obtain an A rank on every level. Then and only then can you access the gorgeous 3D rendering, which includes a remixed version of the level’s original music and old school sound effects that really got the nostalgia juices flowing.

“Super Mario World” (1991)

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The Mario series is famous for its intricacies. Each level contains numerous secrets and hidden pathways, some of which even contain their own secrets and their own hidden pathways. It’s a never-ending maze of rich imagination. Debuting in the Super Nintendo’s “Super Mario World” were Star Roads. Star Roads were little stars on the Dinosaur Land map, and they were accessible by secret key hole exits within certain levels. These stars took you to Star World. Getting to the top of Star World 5 and accessing its secret exit brings you to Special World, which is often thought to be the most challenging area of the game. Finding it can be a pain, but completing it is even harder.

“Duke Nukem 3D” (1996)

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Located within the first episode of “Duke Nukem 3D” is a secret area known as the Launch Facility. It can be accessed via Toxic Dump and The Abyss, the respective fourth and fifth levels within L.A. Meltdown. While traversing the Slime River in Toxic Dump, shoot the crack in the wall at the final lighted area to shatter the structure and access the Launch Facility. Located within the Launch Facility is a rocket ship that you can attempt to fly, but it will inevitably end in messy disaster. There are also various secrets found within the Launch Facility, including ammo, pipe bombs, armor, and atomic health atoms.

“Donkey Kong Country” (1994)

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Introduced in “Donkey Kong Country” were rideable animal companions suitably referred to as Animal Buddies. The rideable animals included Rambi the Rhinoceros, Enguarde the Swordfish, Winky the Frog, and Expresso the Ostrich. Each of these animals have their own dedicated bonus rooms that you can access, by collecting three emblems of any buddy. In these rooms, you can earn yourself some extra lives for every 100 tokens you collect. And look out for the multiplier too.

“Command & Conquer: Red Alert: Counterstrike” (1997)

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Two expansion packs were released for “Red Alert” titled “The Aftermath” and “Counterstrike.” Located within “Counterstrike” is a brilliant secret level containing, of all things, giant ants, though it's also available in the 2020 remastered collection. Players need to hold down the shift key and click on the speaker graphic in the main menu. They will be directed to “It Came from Red Alert!,” a secret campaign which sees deadly, giant ants emerging from a deserted Soviet lab. Field Commander A9 is given orders to eliminate the giant ants by any means necessary. It’s a really fun and bizarre level that references the video game “It Came from the Desert,” which itself was inspired by the 1954 B-movie “Them!”

“Wolfenstein: The New Order” (2014)

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This seventh entry in the “Wolfenstein” series took the “Sonic Adventure 2” approach and included a throwback to an old entry. If you lay down on a specific mattress in the Resistance Movement’s headquarters, you will access the secret level “Nightmare!,” which is based on the first level of “Wolfenstein 3D.” The secret level plays as a nightmare of B.J.’s past experiences, and the background note even states, “Where am I? It’s all a blurry haze. Think I need to get out of this place.” It’s a great nod to the series’ past, and it allowed new players to experience a piece of gaming history.

“Doom II” (1994)

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Speaking of gaming history, “The New Order” isn’t the only video game to honor “Wolfenstein’s” contribution to the medium. This hidden map in “Doom II” can be accessed via a secret room found within the Industrial Zone. The area is a faithful recreation of the first level of “Wolfenstein 3D” - with a few key differences. Primarily, the brown guards and German shepherds have been replaced by SS guards and demons, respectively. Located within the secret level is another secret level that adapts the Hans Grosse boss fight from “Wolfenstein 3D.” Only, Grosse has been replaced with the Cyberdemon. Because “Doom.” There are also “Commander Keen” cameos, because id Software.

“Resident Evil 2” (1998)

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It’s not often that a secret minigame is declared canon, but that’s the case with The 4th Survivor and “Resident Evil 2.” You play as HUNK, an Umbrella operative who wakes up alone in the sewers and must make his way to an escape helicopter with the G-virus sample. Along the way, you must dodge or eliminate the enemies scattered throughout the sewers and the Raccoon City Police Station while trying to obtain the best possible time. To access The 4th Survivor, players need to complete both of the game’s scenarios and obtain an A ranking on at least one of them. It’s worth it to experience a vital piece of “Resident Evil” lore.

“GoldenEye 007” (1997)

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There are few video games as renowned and popular as “GoldenEye 007,” and there are few hidden levels so ubiquitous as Aztec and Egyptian. Aztec is based on the Bond film “Moonraker” and is widely considered to be the hardest level in the game. Enemies wield Moonraker Lasers, and you even have to do battle with the iconic Bond villain Jaws. He’s not easy, to say the least. Egyptian, which is unlocked by beating every mission on 00 Agent, sees Bond collecting the Golden Gun and fighting another classic villain - “Live and Let Die’s” Baron Samedi. Unlocking and completing both Aztec and Egyptian really highlighted who could really be an MI6 agent. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Spyro the Dragon” (1998)

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Mind the Forks As You Enter Through the Ham “Earthworm Jim 2” (1995)

We Have Had It Tough! “Skullmonkeys” (1998)

“Dark Souls” (2011)

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“Star Fox” (1993)

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“Diablo II” (2000)

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This hidden level is also known as Moo Moo Farm, but that seems a little childish for “Diablo!” To access the secret cow level, you’ll need to combine Wirt’s Leg and a Tome of Town Portal in the Horadric Cube. Once this is done, a red portal will appear in the act one starting area. Head on through the portal, and you’ll be greeted with an army of Hell Bovines and The Cow King! This level became immensely popular within the “Diablo” community as a place for grinding, as the easy-to-kill cows granted tons of experience and items. Unfortunately, this was eventually nerfed by Blizzard in Patch 1.10. To learn more about the Cow Level and what makes it so great, be sure to check out the accompanying MojoPlays video.