One of the harder things about being a dad to a toddler is introducing video games to my son. I can’t exactly play “Space Marine 2” in front of him, so I have to pick my spots. I was in the middle of reviewing “Astro Bot” when he walked in and saw me playing the video game with an adorable hero running around.

Astro Bot developers discuss the game's many beloved PlayStation cameos in an in-depth new behind-the-scenes video.

Astro Bot is absolutely exploding with references to franchises both past and present through the form of VIP bots. The point of the game is to rescue bots trapped in levels. Some of these bots are generic while others are themed around big franchise characters from first-party and third-party studios including Bandai Namco,