Games That Reward You For Playing On Your Birthday

Everyone celebrates birthdays in their own way, but nevertheless, a birthday is a special day that shouldn't be forgotten. While friends and family may have their own busy lives, everyone can count on the comfort of video games to remember that special day and celebrate it in their own fun and unique way.

Every time players are prompted to input their birthday before starting a game, one can't help but wonder, "is there going to be a fun birthday bonus?" In case any gamers were wondering what series/titles make the effort to remember their dear players' birthday, this list will name a few great games that commemorate it as well as what kind of bonus to expect on their special day.

Updated on May 24, 2024, by Christine Mendoza: Whether it be for a fun trophy, unique cutscene, or special item, rewarding players for playing a game on their birthday is a much more common practice than one would think. Integrating a player's special day into a game may seem like a small (perhaps even meaningless) detail, but it's a great way to make players feel more involved in the story/plot of a game and keep them more engaged. For any gamers who are interested in which games (both old and new) to get ready to log into on their birthday this year, a few more entries have been added.

21 Another Code: Two Memories/ Trace Memory

What To Expect: A Mysterious Gift

Another Code: Two Memories (titled Trace Memory in North America) is a puzzle-mystery visual novel that follows the young protagonist, Ashley Mizuki Robbins. The story begins with her fourteenth birthday, which is set to whichever date the player has selected as their own birthdate at the start of the game. This is likely to make players feel connected with Ashley and get them invested in the plot early, as she then discovers a mysterious package from her father whom she assumed was already deceased.

In the package is a small device called a "Dual Another System" or "DAS" for short. Ashley (and the player) must now take the curious birthday gift and meet their estranged father on the elusive Blood Edward Island to uncover the mysteries of her past.

20 Miitomo

What To Expect: Unique Greeting, Special Photo

• Platform: iOS, Android
• Released: March 17, 2016
• Developer(s): Nintendo
• Publisher: Nintendo

Miitomo was an adorable idle mobile game that mainly revolved around mini questionnaires to fill out for fun, playing dress up with each mii, and chatting with friends. Unfortunately, Miitomo shut down its servers back in 2018. However, during its short reign, it still managed to make a lasting impact on the Nintendo community.

Miitomo was all about customization and making the player feel special in their own little world, so, of course, their birthday would be cause for celebration. Similar to Tomodachi Life, the player's mii will be the first to greet the player and mention the special day. The player will also have a special miifoto of the day that features a giant strawberry-topped birthday cake.

19 Final Fantasy Tactics

What To Expect: Various Team & Enemy Compatibility

While Final Fantasy Tactics protagonist, Ramza, has an official/canon zodiac sign (Capricorn), the player can still pick a specific birthdate for him at the beginning of the game. Rather than a special event like a cutscene or unique item/gift, the player's birthdate impacts the gameplay from start to finish; specifically the combat.

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Ramza's zodiac sign affects his compatibility with both his own units and also enemies. Depending on his sign, Ramza can have high compatibility (affected variable multiplied by 1.5) or low compatibility (affected variable multiplied by.5) with the units he hires. This rule is also affected by each unit's sex as well.

18 Harvest Moon: A New Beginning

What To Expect: Unique Greeting, Item, (Cutscene)

Villagers in Harvest Moon have their own birthdays the players can acknowledge with a special gift, so it's only natural that the player gets the opportunity to celebrate their special day as well. Harvest Moon villagers with at least 20,000 friendship points (FP) can gift various items (ranging from animal treats to medicinal items) to the player on their birthday as a sign of gratitude.

However, if the player is married/dating, they will also get the chance to receive a unique cutscene where the player is treated to a special birthday dinner with their family.

17 Tomodachi Collection

What To Expect: Unique Cutscene, Greeting

While North American Nintendo fans may be familiar with Tomodachi Life, they may not know its predecessor, Tomodachi Collection. It debuted back in 2009 for the DS, four years before its 3DS sequel, Tomodachi Life. Tomodachi Life was eventually brought over to North America after its Japanese release, but Tomodachi Collection remained a Japan-exclusive game.

Tomodachi Collection, similar to its sequel, celebrates players' birthdays with a fun news report and unique cutscene complete with other miis as party guests, singing to the player around a big, delicious birthday cake.

16 Kirby Squeak Squad

What To Expect: Unique Start Screen

Upon first booting up Kirby Squeak Squad on the day of the player's birthday, the game will immediately cut to a special "Happy Birthday" greeting screen, complete with confetti, right after pressing start on the start screen.

Kirby and friends are all present, forks in hand, ready to dig into a giant birthday cake. The adorable cake is adorned with chocolate lettering and blue and green birthday candles. The greeting even comes with moving confetti and a little musical tune that plays as well.

15 Animal Crossing (Original)

What To Expect: Unique Dialogue, Greeting, Random Items, Special Item

Fans of the original, first-ever Animal Crossing game may remember the game making players feel remembered and celebrated on their special day, despite the Gamecube's more archaic graphics. In the original Animal Crossing, the player immediately be greeted by the villager they have the highest friendship level with as soon as they leave their house to venture off for the day. The excited villager will then greet the player and give them a present.

However, the villager that greets the player isn't the only one that gifts the player on their special day, they're just the only one that hand-delivers their present. The rest of the villagers will send letters with gifts attached in the mail, including a special birthday cake item from the player's elusive (but sweet) mom.

14 Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX

What To Expect: Unique Cutscene, Greeting

As soon as players open up Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX on their birthday, they'll be greeted by the Hatsune Miku herself. Miku will appear with a tasty cake, topped with chocolate, whipped cream, strawberries, and candles while an adorable theme plays in the back. The lower Nintendo DS screen will have a big birthday greeting, complete with the player's name as well.

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Using the DS's built-in microphone, the player can then blow out their candles for real. As the candles go out, the adorable Miku on the upper screen will then shout out a little, "Happy birthday!" Before the cutscene greeting fades to black. But the fun doesn't end there; the rest of the vocaloids featured in the game also get their turn to present their own birthday cake and greeting as well.

13 Pokemon X & Y

What To Expect: Unique Cutscene, Greeting

Pokemon X and Y

Display card tags widget Display card system widget

Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end

Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Display card community and brand rating widget

Released

October 12, 2023

Developer(s)

Game Freak

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

Platform(s)

3DS

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In Pokemon X & Y, the player is celebrated the moment they enter the Pokemon Center. If they visit the Pokemon Center at any time during their birthday, they will notice that the lights will be dimmed. Once the lights turn on, streamers, confetti, stars, hearts, and even smiling Pikachu faces will dance across the screen, followed by the beloved Nurse Joy greeting the player by name.

Nurse Joy will give the players a sweet message and heart-warming birthday wishes for their Pokemon journey before sending them off to enjoy the rest of their special day.

12 Metal Gear Solid 2

What To Expect: Unique Greeting

The Metal Gear Solid 2 birthday Easter egg is a bit tricky to come across. When first logging into the node as Raiden at the beginning of the Plant chapter, the player has a chance to input a few details about themselves such as their name, blood type, nationality, and birthday. The player will only see this birthday greeting if they happen to play this specific part of the game on the day of their birthday.

If the system's internal clock reads that the current day is the player's birthday, a small birthday greeting and a candle-lit cake will appear at the bottom right of the screen. However, this greeting isn't just for the player. A similar birthday message will appear if the player examines a dog tag of a soldier whose birth date matches the internal clock.