Referencing other software

Hey,

What I'd like to do i'm my game is have each level reference old games / hardware. E.g
1) A level called Rubber Keys, which has a model of a Spectrum, and screens with various spectrum games.
2) Manic Major, with homages to JSW and MM spread around the level
I am in no way trying to mimic the game, just imagine the levels as a retro collectors bedroom. Is this doable without being sued?

Regards Rob

Why don't you ask the respective license holders for permission? You might even get some good PR out of it.

Yes.

If you make some minor, vaguely-humorous changes and call it "parody" then you're pretty much definitely safe, I think. If you're set on unchanged stuff, then I think it would be a good idea to try to get permission.