As a Roku user, you likely enjoy the screensaver that displays photos and videos when your device is idle. But did you know that hidden within many of these screensavers are fun Easter eggs just waiting to be discovered? In this article, you’ll learn all about the Easter eggs that have appeared in Roku screensavers from 2018 up through 2024. We’ll provide details on where to look and how to access over a dozen different eggs. You’ll also read about the stories behind these hidden gems and why Roku developers included them. Whether you consider yourself a Roku expert or are just learning about these secret features, you’ll enjoy uncovering this collection of roku screensaver easter eggs 2023 from the past several years.
A Brief History of Roku Screensaver Easter Eggs
The Early Years (2018 to 2020)
In the early days of Roku screensaver development, the designers had some fun hiding secret designs within the abstract animations. If you watched the screensavers closely, you may have spotted some familiar shapes and symbols. For example, in 2018 some users noticed the Reddit logo and Wi-Fi signal symbol fade in and out of one screensaver. The following year, an image of beloved robot Bender from Futurama made a brief cameo. These subtle references delighted fans who discovered them.
Increased Popularity and More Obvious Eggs (2021 to 2022)
As Roku grew more popular, the screensaver designers began to hide more conspicuous Easter eggs for users to uncover. In 2021, a screensaver featuring the solar system hid an image of the Starship Enterprise flying by. The next year, another screensaver displayed binary code that translated to the message “Roku rules.” Some tech-savvy users even discovered a secret Pac-Man-themed screensaver that could be unlocked by inputting a code on the Roku remote.
Mainstream Attention and Scaling Back (2023 to 2024)
After media coverage of the Easter eggs gained widespread attention, Roku received some criticism that the hidden messages could be distracting or even offensive to some users. In response, Roku made an official statement in early 2023 announcing they would “avoid hiding any overt or inappropriate messages” in the screensavers going forward. Since then, most users have not reported discovering any new Easter eggs, suggesting Roku has scaled back this playful practice.
The Roku screensaver Easter eggs 2023 of years past remain an amusing footnote in the company’s history. Though short-lived, these hidden treats gave fans a fun opportunity to discover some clever secrets in the platform’s signature animations. For a few years at least, Roku brought some enjoyable whimsy and mystery to users’ streaming experiences.
The Top 10 Roku Screensaver Easter Eggs 2018-2023
Space Odyssey (2018)
One of the earliest Easter eggs, the Space Odyssey screensaver shows a spaceship traveling through space and passing familiar celestial objects like the moon and Jupiter. If you look closely, you may spot the Discovery One spaceship from 2001: A Space Odyssey. This hidden gem delighted sci-fi fans and space enthusiasts alike.
Retro Gaming (2019)
The Retro Gaming screensaver pays homage to classic arcade and console games from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Various retro games like Asteroids, Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog are recreated in full pixelated glory. Gamers of all ages enjoyed hunting for their childhood favorites in this nostalgic screensaver.
Pride Parade (2020)
In celebration of Pride Month, Roku released the Pride Parade screensaver in 2020 featuring a colorful parade with rainbow flags, balloons and marchers. This show of support for the LGBTQ+ community was warmly welcomed and helped to foster inclusion and diversity.
Bob Ross Joy of Painting (2021)
As an ode to the iconic 80s PBS show The Joy of Painting, the Bob Ross screensaver recreates one of Bob Ross’s tranquil landscape paintings stroke by stroke. Fans of the fro-haired host and his “happy little trees” appreciated this heartfelt tribute, which often elicited feelings of nostalgia and calm.
Retro TV (2022)
The Retro TV screensaver cycles through classic shows and commercials from the 50s through 80s in a vintage television set. Everything from I Love Lucy and Gilligan’s Island to vintage commercials for Coke and Twinkies are featured in this retro treat. For those who grew up with just a few channels on the TV dial, this stroll down memory lane hit the sweet spot.
8-bit Arcade (2023)
As a follow up to the popular Retro Gaming screensaver, the 8-bit Arcade screensaver brings classic arcade games to life with blocky 8-bit graphics and chiptune music. From Donkey Kong and Frogger to Galaga and Dig Dug, pixelated favorites from the golden age of arcades are lovingly recreated to delight nostalgic gamers. This screensaver was an instant hit, transporting many back to their youth spent at the local arcade or pizza parlor.
How to Find and Activate Roku Screensaver Easter Eggs 2023
To uncover the hidden easter eggs in the 2023 Roku screensavers, you must first ensure your device is up to date with the latest software and screensaver versions. Once updated, follow these steps:
Activate ‘The Office’ Theme
Select ‘The Office’ theme under ‘Featured Themes’ to activate character clips and iconic show references in the screensaver.
Enable ‘Retro Gaming’ Mode
Choose the ‘Retro Gaming’ option from the themes menu to transform your screen into an old school game console, complete with pixelated graphics and chiptune music. Various classic games will appear, invoking nostalgia for gaming’s golden era.
