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TetrisType-B

The very first The Legend of Zelda cameo in Tetris on the NES

Elements and characters of The Legend of Zelda series has made numerous cameos in other media. For more major The Legend of Zelda appearances in other media, see References of The Legend of Zelda in other media. For unlicensed parodies and homages in other media, see The Legend of Zelda in popular culture.

Nintendo franchises[]

Animal Crossing series[]

Animal Crossing[]

  • Scanning certain e-Reader cards adds Zelda-based pattern designs that can be used as wallpaper, clothing, and so forth.
  • If the player catches a Loach, his or her character will say "You don't suppose it's Hylian, do you?"
  • Gulliver and Kapp'n make references to Hyrule, such as a Hyrulean prison.[1]
  • Tortimer tells a story that he defeated the great sea snakes at Pinnacle Rock.
  • In some villagers' houses, if the player looks inside their cabinets or wardrobes, they may get the message "You found 10 Rupees! Talk about lucky! Too bad you can't use them in this town...".
  • On the back wall of Katrina's tent, there is a picture of the Triforce.

Animal Crossing: Wild World[]

Animal Crossing: New Leaf[]

  • When eating a Fortune Cookie, the paper inside reads a fortune relevant to the item obtained from it. The Zelda-related fortunes read:
    • Hero's Clothes: "The land is in great peril, and soon you will be the Hero of (town name)."
    • Hero's Pants: "Sometimes treasure is not hidden. It is only invisible."
    • Hero's Cap: "A green hat may be just the thing to inspire you toward adventure."
    • Majora's Mask: "If you leave my mask out there, something terrible will happen!"
    • Midna's Mask: "Look to the sky when the sun sets. All will be revealed in this twilight."
    • Master Sword: "It's dangerous to go alone. Take this."
    • Triforce: "He who believes he has a pure heart is probably just a beast in denial."
    • Hero's Boots: "A door that does not open is not closed to you; it only needs a key."
    • Fi Mask: "Sometimes a sword is just a sword. And sometimes it's a pretty girl."

Animal Crossing: New Horizons[]

  • When talking about island evals with Isabelle, she quotes a comment from a villager about the current state of the island. One of these quotes contains the iconic phrase from The Legend of Zelda, "It's a secret to everybody."[2]

Donkey Kong franchise[]

Cranky'sVideoGameHeroes

Cranky's Video Game Heroes in Donkey Kong Country 2

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong's Quest[]

  • If the game is beaten with 18 Video Game Hero Coins (in the form of DK Coins) or less, third place in Cranky's Video Game Heroes will be held by Link, behind Yoshi and Mario. Link's appearance is based on the design used for official art in A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening, albeit with darker hair, possibly due to palette limitations. He appears unequipped, and looks around the room before crossing his arms. In the Game Boy Advance remake, Link takes second place instead of Yoshi. As the game uses pre-rendered sprites, this marks the first time Link had been rendered in three dimensions for a game.

Donkey Kong Land 2[]

This game also includes the same Video Game Heroes lineup as the SNES equivalent.

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble[]

If the main characters ask about the castle in Bazaar's Shop (available after buying the shell), and refuse to pay for the story, Bazaar will recount how a boy also asked about the castle and had paid 500 Rupees for it. This reference was removed in the Game Boy Advance remake.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze[]

Mario franchise[]

Super Mario Bros. 2[]

Yoshi's Story[]

The word "Zelda" can be read on the newspaper background in Stages 2-3 and 2-4.

Mario Golf[]

  • Random names of characters from other Nintendo games are put on the scoreboards in Mario Golf for the Game Boy Color. In the Links Club, several characters from Ocarina of Time may also appear, including Darunia, Deku Scrub, Goron Kid, Impa, Link, Malon, Nabooru, Navi, Saria, Sheik, Talon, and Zelda. These names may also appear on the scorecards of other courses as well. The Links Club, while a reference to the golfing term, may also be a pun on Link from The Legend of Zelda as well.

Mario Artist: Paint Studio[]

MAPS char stamps

Character Stamps in Mario Artist: Paint Studio

  • The "Character Stamps" mode includes the official artwork of many characters from Ocarina of Time that can be placed in the painting.[4] The "Game Illustration" mode features seven full-screen art pieces from Ocarina of Time that can be used as backgrounds.[5]

Super Mario Sunshine[]

Mario Party 7[]

Super Paper Mario[]

  • A Pixl named Fleep can be found inside a bathroom on the moon, who requests a piece of paper. Mario must then buy a map, which is then used as toilet paper by Fleep. This is similar to how ??? also requests paper.
  • When the first boss Fracktail malfunctions, it will begin to say several computer computer-inspired phrases, one of which is "I AM ERROR."

Super Mario Galaxy[]

  • In the third mission of the Good Egg Galaxy, Mario fights giant creatures that resemble Deku Scrubs firing cannonballs at him.
  • In the Rolling Gizmo Galaxy, Star Bits can be seen formed in the shape of a Rupee.
  • Game director Yoshiaki Koizumi said in an interview with Nintendo Power (issue #225) that the battle strategy against the boss Megaleg was inspired by what was originally going to be used for the final battle against Ganon in Ocarina of Time, which was scrapped due to difficulty on camera control.

Super Mario Galaxy 2[]

  • In one of the galaxies, a Gearmo will ask Mario for a Goomba. After the plumber gives him the Goomba, he will hold it up in the air exactly like Link does when he gets an item.

Super Mario 3D Land[]

  • World 5-2 is heavily based on The Legend of Zelda series and was created to honor the game's 25th anniversary. The course is played predominantly from a top-down perspective and involves Mario moving from room to room in a similar manner to a traditional Zelda dungeon. A puzzle to obtain a Star Coin involves lighting torches using Fire Mario, which causes the Zelda "puzzle solved" jingle to play. The course also includes traps that mimic those that appear in Zelda dungeons, such as Guruguru Bars and Rolling Spike Traps.

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon[]

  • In Mission C-3: Roundhouse Brawl in the Old Clockworks, the Ancient Poltergeist (Elder Boffin in the PAL release) is briefly seen arranging six bricks into the shape of the Triforce. As he does this, the background music briefly plays the "item found" jingle from the Zelda games.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team[]

  • One of the Luiginoid moves is called Hookshot, which is a reference to the item of the same name. This Luiginoid move works in a similar manner to the aforementioned item, causing multiple Luigis to stretch out in a chain to latch onto targets and pull Mario and the remaining Luiginoids to it.

Paper Mario: The Origami King[]

The fourth chapter in the game has Mario sailing across an ocean called The Great Sea on a boat with similar mechanics to the King of Red Lions from The Wind Waker. In order to unlock a dungeon called the Sea Tower, which looks similar to the Tower of the Gods from the outside, Mario must travel to Diamond Island and complete the Trials of Power, Courage and Wisdom to collect the three sacred orbs, which is a reference to the Golden Goddesses and the Goddess Pearls. When arriving on Diamond Island, Captain T. Ode remarks on the scenery by saying "It seems so familiar. I would swear I've heard a legend about this place. I won't try to force a name upon it."

A reference to Breath of the Wild can be found earlier in the game, where a Toad in Autumn Mountain complains he doesn't have enough stamina to climb a wall, before commenting that at least it isn't raining.

In the Japanese version, the Whispering Woods area is known as デクの山 (Deku Mountain). One of its inhabitants, an elderly tree stump named Ol' Grandsappy, is called デクじい (Grandfather Deku). His face has similarities to the Great Deku Tree from Ocarina of Time.

WarioWare series[]

WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$![]

During the credits, if the player pushes down on the control pad, the stars turn to Triforces.

WarioWare: Smooth Moves[]

One of the poses available during the intermission screen is called the Triforce.

Metroid franchise[]

Metroid Prime 3 Crest Sticker

The Royal Crest bumper sticker from Metroid Prime 3

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes[]

The game's concept of light/dark duality, as well as the collection of Temple Keys, is comparable to the gameplay mechanic from A Link to the Past. In fact, the developer of the game, Retro Studios, was assisted by one of the creators of the SNES Zelda game to properly incorporate the aforementioned concept into the new game.[7]

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption[]

Players can unlock a special feature known as Bumper Stickers, which decorates Samus's Gunship with stickers based on certain Nintendo games that have data stored in the players' Wii consoles. One of the stickers is the Wing Crest from Twilight Princess.

Pikmin franchise[]

Hey! Pikmin[]

  • In Area E of Sector 2, known as "The Keeper of the Lake", a blue Ocarina nearly identical in design to the Ocarina of Time appears as a treasure called the Unexamined Nest. It is the reward for defeating the boss of Sector 2, the Long Water Dumple. It is worth 1000 Sparklium.
HP Unexamined Nest Model
Unexamined Nest

I recovered this from inside the giant water creature. It's...a nest of some kind? I'm too nervous to see what lives in it. I...I don't need to analyze all of these things! It's not my job!

  • In Area A of Sector 3, known as the "Crystal Tunnels", one of the treasures that can obtained is a Link's Awakening DX cartridge called the Attention-Getting Logo. It is worth 200 Sparklium.
HP Attention-Getting Logo Model
Attention-Getting Logo

I can't read the writing, but the shape and color of the letters are very striking. The sword and shield behind the large, jagged glyph project an air of strength and confidence. A business or product could do very well with this type of logo. Maybe I should bring it back with me and show it to the company president to give him some ideas.

Pikmin 4[]

Splatoon series[]

Splatoon[]

Splatoon TAoL Octorok

8-bit Octorok sprite found in Splatoon

An 8-bit Octorok from The Legend of Zelda can be found on one of the walls in the Urchin Underpass map.[10] Octorok sprites from The Legend of Zelda and The Adventure of Link can also be found throughout the Octo Valley.[11]

Splatoon 2[]

Similarly to Splatoon, Octorok sprites from The Adventure of Link can be found in the Octo Canyon.

In the Octo Expansion DLC, many Nintendo consoles and game cartridges can be seen as floating background elements. One of the Nintendo 64 cartridges greatly resembles Ocarina of Time.[12]

Tetris series[]

Tetris DS cameo

A Zelda-themed Tetris puzzle in Tetris DS

Tetris (NES)[]

  • After winning a B-type game at or above Level 9 with a height of at least 1, Link appears playing a flute.
  • Upon beating Level 9, a secret ending with various Nintendo characters, including Link, is unlocked.

Wario franchise[]

Wario Land II[]

  • A few Nintendo references appear in the form of some Treasures Wario can obtain in each level. A boot with wings, resembling the Pegasus Boots, appears in the "Return the Hen to Her Nest" level, while a blue Ocarina much like the Flute from A Link to the Past appears in "Stop that Train!" of the "In Town" chapter.

Pokémon franchise[]

Pokémon Stadium 2[]

In My Room mode, the player's character can decorate their room with consoles. On the NES, it is possible to see The Legend of Zelda; on the SNES, A Link to the Past can be seen; and on the Nintendo 64, Ocarina of Time can be seen.

Pokémon X and Y[]

After being defeated by the player, Preschooler Mia on Route 4 says "Hey! Hey! Listen!", referencing Navi.

Other Nintendo games[]

1080° Avalanche[]

1080 Avalanche Triforce Reference

The Triforce reference in 1080° Avalanche

The initials used for the game's default high scores make reference to various Nintendo franchises. The top three high scores for Revolution Cliff track's Gate challenge are "POW", "CUR", and "WIS", referencing the three pieces of the Triforce.

Big Brain Academy[]

  • One of the puzzles in the "Get in Shape" mode is based on the Triforce.[13]

F1 Race[]

F1 Race Link

Link appearing in F1 Race

In the Game Boy version, Link roots for the player at the start of Course 5.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses[]

Characters pump their fists when cooking, like Link in Breath of the Wild.

Kid Icarus: Uprising[]

  • The Idol description for the Fairy Orbitars references Navi in the first sentence:
    Tired of pixies asking you to listen? Try these spritely orbitars on for size!

Nintendo Land[]

  • The Triforce appears as a possible shape in the Pachinko game found in the main Plaza.

Ring Fit Adventure[]

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS[]

Tomodachi Life[]

  • One of the possible things a Mii can say in their sleep is, "It's dangerous to go alone! Take this!".
  • One of the possible games being heard while a Wii U is being played by a Mii is Battle Quest.
  • One of the possible names for a picture can be is, "The Legend of October".

Trace Memory[]

Trace Memory TLoZ Chronology
  • In the North American version, the bookshelf in the Silver Bird Room contains a book called "The Legend of Zelda Chronology".

Wii Sports Resort[]

  • One of the stamps that can be obtained in the archery mini-game is called "It's a secret to everybody."

Wii Party[]

  • The description for the "Flashlight Frights" mini-game starts with "It's dangerous to go alone."

Filmography[]

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show![]

The Super Mario Bros. Movie[]

  • A road in the Queen's map in the Super Mario Bros. Plumbing's commercial is named after Link.
  • Mario and Luigi's father's hairstyle resembles Talon's, in reference to the character being designed to be similar to the plumber. It was however stated this hairstyle is a re-worked version of the original concept-art for Papa Mario.[citation needed]

Unused cameos[]

Golden Sun: The Lost Age[]

See Also[]

References

  1. "Ye ever spend the night in a Hyrulian prison?" — Kapp'n (Animal Crossing)
  2. "It's a place I've been quietly watching. It's a secret to everybody. I don't want it to be famous." — Isabelle (Animal Crossing: New Horizons)
  3. "Vehicle Troubles? It's dangerous to go alone--take one of these!" — Funky Kong (Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze)
  4. Madao Joestar, Mario Artist Paint Studio - Premade Images [N64 HDMI], YouTube (Video), published June 18, 2016, retrieved Sept. 21, 2022.
  5. Madao Joestar, Mario Artist Paint Studio - Premade Images [N64 HDMI], YouTube (Video), published June 18, 2016, retrieved Sept. 21, 2022.
  6. Super Mario Sunshine/Unseen Object Features, The Cutting Room Floor, retrieved Sept. 21, 2022.
  7. MIGS 2007: Retro Studios On The Journey Of Metroid Prime - Gamasutra
  8. "To feel the excitement of a grand adventure, all you need to do is play this device! It seems to sing of heroic tales and captured princesses... I hope one day I'm able to sell these rare treasures to a hero as valiant as these dulcet tones." — Schnauz (Pikmin 4)
  9. "In my line of work, encountering tough situations and feeling like your life is in danger is all a part of the job. But something about this cookie makes me feel like I have the strength to make it through. Like I have an extra heart if my first one runs out." — Olimar (Pikmin 4)
  10. GameXplain, 8-Bit Mario & Zelda Secrets in Splatoon, YouTube, published May 22, 2015, retrieved May 25, 2015.
  11. Mr.Bean, Octorok from Zelda II, Miiverse, published May 30, 2015, retrieved May 30, 2015.
  12. [1], .
  13. Big Brain Academy X Zelda, Crossover Wiki, retrieved July 24, 2021.
  14. "Once you and your puppy have bonded in Nintendogs + Cats, you can get a kitten from the kennel, too! The standard kittens come in varieties, like tiger striped or calico. On that subject, did you know that less than one percent of calicos are born male? They're like Gerudo of the cat world!" — N/A (Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U)
  15. The Legend of Zelda - Golden Sun Universe Retrieved on 14 February, 2011
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