Cameos of The Legend of Zelda in Nintendo Media



has made numerous Cameos in Nintendo Media. Elements and characters from the series have appeared in a number of Nintendo games and other licensed, related media. This listing does not include appearances in third-party video games. Please visit Cameos of The Legend of Zelda in Third-Party Media for examples of these. For unlicensed parodies and homages in other media, see The Legend of Zelda in popular culture.

Animal Crossing Series

 * In the, a number of objects and characters from the Zelda series make cameos in the form of furniture, clothing and accessories. Some of these pieces of furniture and accessories have made return appearances in subsequent Animal Crossing games. They include:


 * The Master Sword appears as a piece of furniture in the original, , , and . It is part of the "Nintendo Set" of furniture. Interacting with it plays the "get item" jingle. It is set in the Pedestal of Time, with its Twilight Princess design in City Folk and its Skyward Sword design in New Leaf.
 * The Triforce appears as a piece of furniture in Wild World, City Folk and New Leaf. It is part of the "Nintendo Set" of furniture. Interacting with the Triforce separates its pieces as they twirl before reforming, mimicking the animation and sound effect of 's title screen.
 * Kafei's and Anju's outfits appear as clothes in the original Animal Crossing only.
 * Link's hat and clothes appear in City Folk and New Leaf. Link's pants and boots also appear in New Leaf.
 * The Majora's Mask appears as a mask accessory in City Folk and New Leaf.
 * Midna's Fused Shadow appears as a hat in City Folk and New Leaf.
 * Tingle's hood appears as a hat in New Leaf.
 * Makar's mask appears in New Leaf.
 * A mask resembling Fi's face appears in New Leaf.


 * Scanning certain e-Reader cards adds Zelda-based pattern designs that can be used as wallpaper, clothing, etc.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * A Nintendo Entertainment System console with was set to appear as an item, but was made unobtainable. It can still be played by hacking into the game.


 * Villagers occasionally talk about a boy in green who shot things out of the air with a Slingshot.


 * 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."
 * Through the  update, it is possible to scan a Zelda character amiibo to bring a Zelda-themed RV to the town's campground. The Zelda-themed RVs each contain an animal villager based on a Zelda character. They are:
 * A pig villager based on Ganon. (Obtained from Classic Link and Ganondorf)
 * A horse villager based on Epona. (Obtained from Ocarina of Time Link and Sheik)
 * A bird villager based on Medli. (Obtained from both versions of Toon Link and Wind Waker Zelda)
 * A wolf villager based on Wolf Link, known as W. Link in-game. (Obtained from Smash Link, Smash Zelda, and Wolf Link)
 * In addition, the birthdays of these four characters are the Japanese release dates of their debut games.
 * Each character's RV features exclusive Zelda-themed decor that can be purchased with MEOW Coupons. These include:
 * A shirt based on what the character that was summoned.
 * Link's hat and shirt from . (All Characters)
 * Link's wig and shirt from . (All Characters)
 * An 8-bit Hyrule carpet and wallpaper from . (all characters)
 * A Bomb from . (Ganon)
 * Ganondorf's wig, shirt, and pants from . (Ganon)
 * A green Rupee. (Ganon and Medli)
 * A Treasure Chest from Ocarina of Time. (Ganon and Wolf Link)
 * A Gossip Stone. (Epona)
 * A bottle of Lon Lon Milk. (Epona)
 * The Moon from . (Epona)
 * Sheik's mask, shirt, and pants. (Epona)
 * A Piece of Heart. (Epona, Medli, and Wolf Link)
 * A Cucco from Ocarina of Time. (Medli)
 * A Fairy in a Bottle. (Medli)
 * A mural based on the opening from (Medli)
 * A Hylian Shield. (Wolf Link)
 * A Heart. (Wolf Link)
 * Zelda's wig and dress from . (Wolf Link)

Series

 * A number of Zelda theme songs can be played in the Daigassou! Band Brothers games, some of which must first be downloaded.


 * The original Daigassou! Band Brothers includes a medley of Zelda songs.
 * , known in Japan as Daigassou! Band Brothers DX, includes some Zelda songs.
 * Daigassou! Band Brothers P includes ' theme, Tri Force Heroes' Woodlands theme, ' Lorule theme, the Ballad of the Goddess, and 's orchestrated theme.


 * 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 and . Link's appearance is based on the design used for official art in A Link to the Past and, 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.


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


 * 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.

Series

 * In the ' series of games, The Legend of Zelda theme is featured in a number of games, including the original,, and '.
 * In the original Donkey Konga, the player can buy a The Legend of Zelda-themed bongo sound set.


 * references the Zelda series' infamous "It's dangerous to go alone" phrase when selling Crash Guards in Funky's Fly'n'Buy.

Series

 * In several games, starting with ', Kirby's ability is a reference to Link, most notably as the hat Kirby wears is based on Link's cap. The Sword Kirby uses also resembles the Master Sword. In some games, the ability grants Kirby with sword techniques based on those of Link's, such as the Sword Beam, Spin Attack, Down Thrust, and the Skyward Strike (called "Sky Energy Strike" in ').


 * In, one of the treasures to collect is the Triforce. According to Nintendo, the reason for this and the references to other Nintendo games are because the developers wanted to repay the favor of having Kirby appear in.


 * A Master Sword keychain can be collected.


 * On Level 3 of the Paint Roller's mini-game, Kirby may sometimes have to draw a Triforce shape.


 * The warp whistle plays the same tune as the one in . It also summons a cyclone in the same way.


 * If Mario sleeps at the inn at Rose Town, Link will be sleeping in the bed next to him. If Mario attempts to talk to him, the classic Zelda discovery theme will play.


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


 * 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 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.


 * The character Il Piantissimo has a (masked) face reminiscent of the Running Man from Ocarina of Time and the Postman from.


 * One of the items obtained from the Starbeans Café is the Great Force, a yellow triangle resembling the Triforce. Originally, various Nintendo characters were intended to appear at the Café to present the Mario Bros. with related items, before being replaced by Professor E. Gadd and the items slightly renamed. Link was originally supposed to appear and give the Triforce to the brothers.


 * In the Winkle Colosseum, the Mario Bros. participate in a mini-game where they must deflect rocks at enemies known as Chuckoroks, whose name is derived from Octoroks. These enemies also have a similar appearance, as they shoot rocks from their snouts.


 * Every time a Cruise Secret is purchased, the text box says, "Shhh... It's a secret to everybody!"


 * Throughout the game Mario is guided by a hint-giving Pixl named Tippi. Her fairy-like appearance and role is likely a reference to Navi.
 * When Mimi insists that Mario pays for a vase he broke, she will not accept coins, as she prefers to use octagonal gems called "Rubees", a reference to Rupees.
 * 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 malfunctions, it will begin to say several computer computer-inspired phrases, one of which is "I AM ERROR."


 * In the third mission of the Good Egg Galaxy, Mario fights giant creatures that resemble Deku Scrubs firing cannonballs at him.
 * In one galaxy, a giant Rupee appears and grants Mario a large amount of Star Bits.
 * Game director Yoshiaki Koizumi said in an interview with Nintendo Power (issue #225) that the battle strategy against the boss 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.


 * The volcano theme is a remix of the Level 9 (Death Mountain) music from the original The Legend of Zelda.


 * 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.


 * is heavily based on the 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.


 * 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.


 * One of the Luiginoid moves is called, 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.


 * A secret area in one level of the game takes Mario to an area composed of black blocks that form an 8-bit Link sprite from the original . Lighting them all up to reveal the sprite causes the "item found" refrain from to play, and a Green Star to appear. After this, the music will change to a remix of part of the main theme of the Zelda series until Mario leaves.




 * A Zelda-themed DLC package for Mario Kart 8 was released on November 13, 2014. The Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8 package contains three new playable characters, including the incarnation of Link from SS undefined. The DLC pack also contains a Zelda-themed vehicle with matching parts: the Master Cycle, which features a Hylian Shield at each side, and the Triforce Tires and Hylian Kite. The Triforce Cup, also included in the DLC, features the Hyrule Circuit, which is located in Hyrule Field and inside Hyrule Castle. The circuit features Rupees instead of Coins, Deku Babas instead of s, and Keese instead of s. Once inside the Hyrule Castle section, switches can be activated to summon the Master Sword. Also, Link will sometimes hold the Triforce in his hands while performing a.


 * Using either the Link or Toon Link amiibo unlocks the Link Racing Suit usable by the Mii character.


 * Using any amiibo unlocks a pattern for Yoshi based on that character. These include all five Zelda-related amiibo.




 * 8-bit versions of Link, Toon Link, Zelda, Sheik, Ganondorf, and Tingle appear as for Mario, usable by grabbing a Mystery Mushroom. They are unlocked by either playing through the 100-Mario Challenge, or scanning their respective amiibo (except Tingle, who does not have an amiibo). Zelda-centric jingles play when Mario is transformed into these characters and when the D-pad is pressed up. Costumes based on "Totem Link" (based on the three Links from Tri Force Heroes) and Tetra also appear and can be unlocked through Event Courses and updates, respectively.


 * The sprite used for the Sea Urchin enemies was reused in Super Mario Maker when placing a Super Mario World-style spike object in an underwater setting.


 * 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,, was assisted by one of the creators of the SNES Zelda game to properly incorporate the aforementioned concept into the new game.


 * Players can unlock a special feature known as Bumper Stickers, which decorates 's 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.


 * Volume 5 and 8 of the Nintendo Power Picross series had its "Character" section based on Ocarina of Time. In the latter game, these puzzles are available in the "Character Extra" section, which is unlocked after completing all 96 of the original puzzles. The images used are of Navi, the Fairy Ocarina, the Keaton Mask, the Fairy Slingshot, Kaepora Gaebora, Link, Princess Ruto, Epona, Darunia, Deku Scrub and Ganondorf.

Picross DS

 * Level 11 of Normal Mode, unlocked after completing the 10 other levels, is based on different Nintendo characters. Puzzle 11-L is based on the original Link sprite.
 * Volume 5 of Picross NP was also made available as a "My Picross" download in the game. Pack 7, released in August 27, 2008 only for the North American version contains the Ocarina of Time puzzles, with them being puzzles 7B-7H.

(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.


 * This version features Link prominently and includes a number of Zelda-themed puzzles.


 * 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.

Series

 * Several of 9-Volt's and 18-Volt's microgames are based on games of The Legend of Zelda series.


 * One of 9-Volt's microgames is based on the original . In it, the player has to move Link into the cave entrance within the time limit while avoiding enemies. This microgame reappears in 
 * During the credits, if the player pushes down on the control pad, the stars turn to Triforces.


 * One of 9-Volt's microgames is based on the original The Legend of Zelda. Using the game's tilt motion controls, the Game Boy Advance must be turned to change the direction of Link's Shield, in order to deflect the rocks from a group of Octoroks.


 * One of 9-Volt's and 18-Volt's microgames is based on the original The Legend of Zelda, and alternately, in the microgame's level 1. The object is to tap all the onscreen Fairies to restore Link's health. If successful, Link will reveal himself and hold up a Nintendo DS. In The Adventure of Link setting, Link will simply walk past.


 * One of the s available during the intermission screen is called the Triforce.
 * Two of 9-Volt's and 18-Volt's microgames are based on games from The Legend of Zelda series. One is based on, where the player must fly Link with the Deku Leaf onto the wooden platform to reach the Forbidden Woods. The other is based on Ocarina of Time, where Link must pull out the Master Sword from the Pedestal of Time.
 * Another one of 9-Volt's and 18-Volt's microgames, called Opening Night, requires the player to conduct an orchestra played by Mario, Luigi and Link. One of the possible music tracks includes The Legend of Zelda overworld theme on level 3.


 * One of 9-Volt's microgames is based on . In it, the player must tap the ChuChus surrounding Link to defeat them all before they can reach him.


 * One of 18-Volt's microgames is based on The Adventure of Link. In it, Link must raise his Shield to protect himself from the Boomerangs thrown by the Goriya.


 * Two of the stages are based on the original The Legend of Zelda, utilizing sprites of Link, Zelda and Ganon. Each stage is accompanied by a remixed theme in a chiptune style; one based on the main theme, and the second being a rock-themed remix of the Death Mountain music.


 * One of the puzzles is based on the Triforce.


 * Link roots for the player on Course 5.


 * Game & Watch Zelda is available as an unlockable bonus game.


 * Hidden within the game's source code is that greatly resembles Link.


 * There is a period in the game where the player must go to Sunny Peak and pull out the "Legendary Spoon" from its pedestal, similarly to Link pulling the Master Sword out of its pedestal. It references A Link to the Past, as the player must collect blue, red and green marbles to withdraw the spoon, similar to how Link also needs three similarly colored items to obtain the Master Sword. This specific quest has also been featured in several other Zelda games.


 * The Idol description for the references Navi in the first sentence.


 * Several apparel items as well as room decor based on The Legend of Zelda have been made available for the application. Many of these items are available only as redeemable rewards in . Apparel items include Link's Wig (based on Twilight Princesss Link), Link's New Hair Wig (based on Breath of the Wilds Link), 8-Bit Link Tee, and the Bow & Arrows (based on Breath of the Wild's Champion Shirt). Decor items include matching wallpaper and flooring based on Breath of the Wild.


 * Several badges based on sprites and artwork from various Zelda games can be collected in the application. These can be used to customize the home menu of the Nintendo 3DS. More badges are occasionally released through updates. Badges based on artwork and graphics from the original The Legend of Zelda,, , , , , and  have been released, as well as a The Legend of Zelda - 30th Anniversary set containing artwork of Link from nearly every game in the series. Badges with graphics from  are available in the NES Remix badge set.


 * One of the mini-games is called The Legend of Zelda: Battle Quest, and is a direct homage to the series. The player takes on the role of Link and fights many monsters from the series in familiar landscapes.
 * The Triforce makes an appearance in in Gate 30, where the player must make the shape of the relic using the stylus to complete the stage.
 * The Triforce also appears as a possible shape in the Pachinko game found in the main Plaza.


 * 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.


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


 * An 8-bit Octorok from The Legend of Zelda can be found on one of the walls in the Urchin Underpass map. 8-bit Octoroks from The Adventure of Link can also be found in various stages.


 * The application utilizes and exchanges Miis through StreetPass to play an assortment of mini-games. Miis can be dressed up in accessories which can be received in mini-games or through events. Some of the possible accessories include the Link Costume, which dresses the Mii in Link's tunic and cap; the Princess Zelda Wig, which features jewelry and pointed ears; and the Sheik Mask. Other hats are available featuring the Triforce, a green rupee, a treasure chest, and busts of Epona and Tingle.


 * StreetPass Mii Plaza also features a mini-game called Puzzle Swap, which features several animated panels based on various Nintendo games and characters. There are several panels explicitly based on The Legend of Zelda series.


 * The panel entitled "The Legend of Zelda" features a right-handed Link in his Twilight Princess appearance, wielding the Ordon Sword and the Hylian Shield. He periodically slashes his sword. Link is standing in a dark, empty plane, which has black squares rising and rotating, and a drifting cloud cover that lets a little, yellow light through.


 * The panel entitled "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D" features an adult Link in his appearance riding Epona through Hyrule Field, with Navi flying alongside them. Hyrule Castle Town and Death Mountain are visible in the background, but do not move any further away as Epona gallops (to maintain the loop). The time cycles through day and night.


 * The panel entitled "Nintendo Starlets" in North America, and "Heroines" in PAL regions, features Zelda in her SS undefined appearance (with her lyre) and Zelda's spirit from, as well as , , and from the Super Mario series. Each of the characters appear above a color-matched flower, with all of them rotating in a carousel fashion and performing a specific animation when facing the camera.


 * The panel entitled "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword" features Link in his Skyward Sword appearance riding the Crimson Loftwing through The Sky. Rotating the camera, Skyloft can be seen on the left and Zelda in her Skyward Sword appearance riding a Loftwing can be seen on the right.


 * The panel entitled "ULTIMATE NES REMIX" features an 8x5 grid of tiles from various NES games featured in the game . This grid features Link, a Heart Container and an Octorock in their The Legend of Zelda appearances; as well as Link, a Bot and an Old Woman in their The Adventure of Link appearances. In the animation, Link in his The Legend of Zelda appearance obtains a Triforce Shard, which then transitions to a spritesheet. The spritesheet at the end of the animation depicts the Old Man from the Great Palace, a Small Key, and a red Daira in addition to Link holding up the Triforce. Using the Control Stick to shift the camera at various points in the animation also reveals Ganon, Aquamentus, a Moblin and a Bomb in their The Legend of Zelda appearances, and a Lady from The Adventure of Link carrying a Dr. Mario pill.


 * The panel entitled "Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U" features all 35 starter characters from . Link, Toon Link, Zelda, and Sheik appear in their Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U appearances. The animation depicts colored silhouettes of each of the character shooting into the camera, then puts all the silhouettes into a display before revealing the proper artwork.


 * The Calico Trophy in makes a reference to the Gerudo while mentioning the fact that only one percent of calico cats are male.


 * 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".


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


 * One of the playable songs is the title theme of The Legend of Zelda.


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


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


 * In , Mario rescues some aliens known as Quirks from Moon Man Koopa. Near the end of the episode, the Quirks hum a song to stop Koopa, which is the intro to the theme of the Zelda animated series.

Captain N: The Game Master

 * Link and Princess Zelda make guest appearances throughout the second season of the television series.