ᐅ 15 Curiosities in Plants vs Zombies 1 that only Veteran Fans know

There are games that mark a stage, an era, or simply stay with you forever. For me, that game was Plants vs Zombies 1. I am not exaggerating when I say that it was love at first play. From the very first moment, I was caught by its original proposal: mixing real-time strategy with such a peculiar and charismatic sense of humor that even the zombies won your sympathy.

What surprised me most about pvz1 was that behind its simple appearance, there was a lot of depth. You could play through the entire game just enjoying it, but if you paid attention to the details, you would discover a lot of secrets, tricks, and winks that only the most obsessive players (like me) would notice. Over time, I learned that it wasn’t all about defeating waves of zombies, it was about exploring and experiencing everything the game had hidden.

My experience as a veteran fan of the game

I first played Plants vs Zombies 1 on my home computer. I don’t remember exactly how I got my hands on it, but I installed it with zero expectations… and didn’t let go for weeks. Furthermore, I loved the rhythm of the levels, the weird humor of Crazy Dave, and the way the game introduced you to new plants and zombies without overwhelming you.

Eventually I also played it on mobile, and although it was a simpler experience, it still had that essence that I loved. The sound, the pixelated graphics and the feeling of accomplishment when spending a whole night unlocking plants… it was pure entertainment.

But the most special thing about pvz1 is that it hides more than it shows. And in this article I want to share the 15 secrets that surprised me the most and that I only discovered after playing it several times. Some are simple curiosities, others are useful tricks, and a few… are simply hidden gems that few notices if they are not really attentive.

What did I learn from years of playing pvz1?

What became clear to me after so many games is that pvz1 is not just a strategy game, but an experience full of love for details. As you discovered these secrets, you realized that there was so much more behind each level.

I learned that having patience, experimenting with new combinations, and even trying absurd things like planting only papapum in front, could give unexpected results. I also understood that part of the charm of Plants vs Zombies 1 was its ability to surprise you, even after playing it for years.

Not only that, but I’ve recommended it to friends, I’ve replayed it on different platforms, and even today, in 2025, it’s still one of my favorite games. Not because of realistic graphics or competitive multiplayer, but because it has soul. It has identity. And that does not come easily.

Is it worth playing it again in 2025?

The answer is simple: yes. If you never played it, you are about to discover a gem. And if you played it years ago, I encourage you to install it again. You’ll see how everything feels familiar and new at the same time. Because Plants vs Zombies 1 has aged like the good classics: gracefully, charmingly and with many secrets to discover.

Plus, today you can play it from almost any device, and it still works just as well. It doesn’t need a connection, it doesn’t demand resources, and it can entertain you for hours. What more can you ask for?

The 15 hidden secrets I discovered in Plants vs Zombies 1

1. The “mustache” trick.

One of the funniest things I discovered was the trick of typing “mustache” in the game’s cheat menu. The result? All the zombies appear with a huge, ridiculous mustache. It doesn’t change anything in the gameplay, but it made me laugh the first time I saw it. It’s one of those little touches of humor that make you want to keep exploring.

2. Piñata Party without being Party

Another hidden command: type “pinata” and, instead of exploding zombies… they explode in confetti and candy! It’s one of those things that seem to come out of the mind of someone with a lot of time on his hands, but it shows how much love the developers put into the game.

3. You can improve your plants with the Zen garden

Later on, you unlock the Zen garden, a quiet mode where you can collect plants and take care of them to get coins. The funny thing is that plants are not just decoration: if you water and take good care of them, they produce useful rewards that you can use to advance faster.

4. Zombie with ducky float

I’ll never forget the first time I saw the zombie in the pool, with his rubber duck float. It’s such a silly detail, but so memorable. Every time I played water levels, I looked forward to seeing it. It’s one of those visual touches that makes you smile, and if you don’t notice it, you’re missing part of the charm of Plants vs Zombies 1.

5. Plants drown if you don’t use water lilies.

This seems obvious, but it was a lesson I learned the hard way: if you try to plant directly into the pool without a water lily, the plant just sinks. It has logic, of course, but that kind of consistency in the mechanics was what convinced me that the game was very well-thought-out.

6. Zombies: adorable but deadly

The little zombies (also known as little zombies) seem harmless at first, but if you trust them, they can fill up your entire screen. One of my dumbest deaths was from not taking these mini zombies seriously.

7. Crazy Dave does have logic… half hidden.

At first, I thought Crazy Dave was just talking nonsense, but over time I discovered that it does have patterns in what it offers you. For example, random objects sometimes relate to the type of zombies in the level. Also, if you listen carefully, some phrases refer to classic movies or games.

8. The zombies in the disco change according to the region.

A curiosity that not many know: the zombie “Disco Zombie”, which appears in the advanced levels, changes appearance depending on the version of the game. In some regions he was replaced by another character to avoid image rights problems (as he originally looked a lot like Michael Jackson).

9. The trick of chocolate and seashells

In the Zen garden, you can use chocolate to make the plants produce faster, and you can also use shells to call Stinky (the snail) to collect coins automatically. If you don’t know this, you can spend hours clicking by hand.

10. Zombies with musical flags

The music changes subtly when a big wave comes, but what many don’t notice is that the zombie carrying the flag goes to the rhythm of the music. It’s a minor detail, but one that demonstrates the care with which the audio was synchronized with the gameplay.

11. You can choose which cards to carry in survival mode

Once you unlock the survival mode, you realize that not everything is predetermined here. You can choose your “deck” of plants before you start, and the interesting thing is that if you know how to anticipate the zombies coming, you can create really effective combinations. I discovered this detail after several games, and it helped me a lot to improve my strategy.

12. The tombstones have surprises in the night levels.

In the night levels, some tombs may hide zombies that appear at the end of the level, but what few know is that you can eliminate them using the Grave Buster plant. If you don’t do this, you might face more zombies at the end. I used to ignore them… until I learned it the hard way.

13. Plants change their appearance with improvements

When you buy upgrades such as the double-spiral or the flamethrower, not only do you get a functional upgrade, but there is also a visual change. Sometimes it seems small, but if you look closely, there are new animations and effects that you don’t notice at first.

14. The “Imitator” plant has its own animations.

When I unlocked the “Imitator” (which allows you to duplicate any plant in your list), I discovered that it has a special little visual effect when it transforms. It’s such a quick thing that if you’re not paying attention, you don’t even see it. I loved that kind of detail, because it shows how polished pvz1 is.

15. The end of the game hides a very special song

When you finish Plants vs Zombies 1, what happens is not just a credits screen. In fact, the game gifts you with a song performed by the plants and zombies themselves that is absolutely great. “There’s a zombie on your lawn” became for me a nostalgia anthem. It’s the perfect ending for a game that mixes humor, music, and gameplay in a brilliant way.

Frequently Asked Questions

After so many years, Plants vs Zombies 1 is still one of those games that not only entertain, but also leave a mark. Its secrets, curiosities and small details make it a masterpiece of simplicity and creativity.

If you’ve made it this far, you probably share my fondness for this classic. I hope some of these 15 secrets have surprised you, reminded you of good times, or awakened the desire to replant a sunflower and prepare for the next wave.

See you in the garden, where zombies never rest!