References:

There are a few references to movies and stuff in the game, inspirations and easter eggs. Inside jokes and famous characters. They're especially obscure since some of the easter egg characters are hidden in unmarked burnable bushes and bombable walls. I can only hope that somebody recognizes them when they come across by accident or with the lens of truth.

Well, for those who aren't aware, the game title is a reference to one of the worst and cheapest movies ever made. Definitely worst of the 50s. Manos the Hands of Fate. Yes the movie has some redundancy in the title. It was back when speaking Spanish was still considered exotic or whatever, but I'm guessing it wasn't subtle back then either. Look up the Rifftrax of it (a sample is on their website but they do whole movies).
Chronos is the Ancient Greek personification of time (everybody knows the word chronological). He's an old man and was commonly pictured pushing a zodiac wheel, and is the origin of father time wielding a harvesting scythe. So in this quest, Chronos is an abberation of Manos, combined with the time travel aspect of the game. This is not the Greek Titan named Cronus (father of Zeus, sometimes spelled Cronos).
Red hands are from Manos. The evil master wore a cloak with giant red silhouette of hands.
Warp Zone is from Super Mario Bros 3. This is actually the only thing in the game I consider imrpoving. Just replacing tiles so there are more fluffy clouds and pipes, not changing the layout or function at all.
Rincewind, the worst wizard in Discworld, wears a pathetic looking pointed wizard hat with it misspelled WIZZARD. If you choose wizard, Rincewind is your teacher. His specialties include speaking every language, running away from danger very quickly, and being completely unable to cast an actual spell.
The four optional dungeons are named after episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 MST3K (making fun of full length movies), The Screaming Skull, Jack the Giant Killer, Devil Fish, and The Day the Earth Froze.
Manos the Hands of Fate is also an MST3K episode.
Joel, Mike, Jonah, and Emily from MST3K, the hosts for its three eras ('88-'93, '93-'99, '17-???, '22-???), are in one of the secret money things. I tried to make it more obvious with colored beds. FYI, Mike went on to start Rifftrax ('06-???).
Mario and Luigi are in one of the secret money things. Did they build the warp zone?
Douglas Adams is in one of the secret money things. The ultimate question of life, the universe and everything has the answer 42 in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. What's the question? No, the question isn't about the Hulu series.
Rick and Morty are in one of the secret money things. Rick's portals go everywhere, but you can't follow. Poor Morty.
Colonol Colon and Nobby Nobbs from Discworld are hiding in a not-so-hidden cave enjoying some rolled tobacco. There were 41 Discworld novels so 41 rupees. Next Christmas, watch the "Hogfather" TV special.
Samurai Jack is in one of the secret money things. The 61 rupees is for the number of episodes. His whole deal is he's been thrown forward in time and needs to get back.
They Might be Giants frontmen John and John are in one of the secret money things.
The Aquabats are in one of the secret money things along with their Battletram.
The thing mentioned at the end of the game when you turn in the tears exists in real life.

Do you want to find the easter eggs in the game? Check out the Easter Egg Locations.
Want to skip what they are, and just learn what screen to look for the entrance? This exists too Blind Easter Egg Locations.

Main Page Map Legend Dungeons Rules Story Items and Enemies PureZC