The Super Mario Movie includes a sly nod to Metroid

The Super Mario Movie is jam-packed with all sorts of references to just about every Mario game, but that’s not all. There are tips of the hat to other big-name Nintendo franchises, and one in particular gets a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it nod.

Early on in the movie when Mario is watching TV, you’ll see a news program playing on TV. If you pay attention to the chyron, you’ll see a message that reads, “NASA detects signal in star system FS-176.” It might not seem like anything at first, but it should stand out instantly for diehard Metroid fans.

FS-176 happens to be the star system where Metroid Prime takes place, and it’s where you’ll find the planet Talon IV. It’s not a major mention for Samus in the Mario movie, but it’s definitely a sneaky secret for those who have been poring over the movie to find every reference it hides.