The very first The Legend of Zelda cameo in Tetris on the NES
The Legend of Zelda series has made numerous cameos and crossovers in other Nintendo games, and elements and characters from the series have even made licensed appearances in third party video games. This listing does not include unlicensed parodies and homages in other media. Please visit The Legend of Zelda in popular culture for examples of these.
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.
The Triforce appears as furniture and the Master Sword returns as furniture. Interacting with the Triforce separates its pieces as they twirl before reforming, mimicking the animation and sound effect of A Link to the Past title screen.
Villagers occasionally talk about a boy in green who shot things out of the air with a Slingshot.
The Triforce and Master Sword return as furniture.
Link's hat, clothes, Majora's Mask, and Midna's Fused Shadow all return as clothing. Link's pants and boots, Tingle's hood, Makar's mask, and Fi's mask now appear as clothing.
Fi's Mask
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."
Donkey Kong
Cranky's Video Game Heroes in Donkey Kong Country 2
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 version, Link takes the second place instead of Yoshi (at the time of the original game, Yoshi's Island had just been released). As the game used pre-rendered sprites, this marks the first time Link had been rendered in three dimensions for a game.
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 from the Game Boy Advance remake.
In several games, starting with Kirby Super Star, Kirby's Sword ability makes many reference to Link, most notably with a hat based on Link's cap from A Link to the Past, the most recent design at the time of release (although with the addition of a bobble at the tip). The Sword Kirby uses was also made into a design resembling the Master Sword. When using it, Kirby gains many abilities based on those used by Link, such as the Sword Beam and Down Thrust.
In The Great Cave Offensive, 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 Link's Awakening.[2]
When using the Sword ability, Kirby can use several of Link's techniques. These include shooting Sword Beams when Kirby is at full health, the Spin Attack when charging the Sword, the Down Thrust, and the Skyward Strike, called "Sky Energy Strike." A Master Sword keychain from Kirby & the Amazing Mirror can also be collected.
If Mario sleeps at the Inn at Rose Town, Link will be sleeping in the bed next to him. If Mario talks to him it will play the classic Zelda discovery theme. As seen here.
One of the items is the Great Force, a yellow triangle. The people at TMK discovered that the item was originally supposed to be the Triforce and Link was supposed to appear when the player got it.
Throughout the game Mario is guided by a hint giving Pixl named Tippi. She has the appearance of a rainbow colored (but mostly light blue) butterfly, and is obviously a parody of Navi. Also, when Mimi insists that Mario pays for a vase he broke, she will not accept coins, since she prefers to use octagonal gems called Rubees, again a parody of Rupee. There is a Pixl inside a bathroom on the moon named "Fleep" which requests a piece of paper. Mario then must buy a map, which is then used a toilet paper by Fleep (in a similar way to ???), who rewards him by joining his team.
The first boss of the game is a robotic dragon named Fracktail who is attacked by Dimentio. After being attacked, the dragon malfunctions and begins to say several computer-inspired phrases, one of which is "I AM ERROR."
Game director Yoshiaki Koizumi said in an interview with Nintendo Power (issue #225) that the battle strategy against the boss character Megaleg is inspired by what was going to be used for the final battle against Ganon in Ocarina of Time, but that was scrapped due to difficulty on camera control. Also, in the third mission of 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.
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.
World 5-2 is heavily based on the Zelda series and was created to honor the game's 25th anniversary. Played predominantly from a top-down perspective and involving 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" musical cue to play, and the dungeon includes traps that mimic those that appear in Zelda games, such as Guruguru Bars, Spiked Rollers, and Spinies appear as enemies, who also appear in the Zelda series in the form of Spiked Beetles.
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" refrain from the Zelda games.
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.
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 The Legend of Zelda. Lighting them all up to reveal the sprite causes the "item found" refrain from Ocarina of Time 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.
8-bit versions of Link, Toon Link, Zelda, Sheik, Ganondorf, and Tingle appear as Mystery Suits 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 doesn't have an amiibo). Zelda-centric jingles play when Mario is transformed into these characters.
A Zelda-themed Downloadable Content 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 Skyward Sword. The DLC also contains four vehicles and two 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.[3] The circuit features Rupees instead of Coins, Deku Babas instead of Piranha Plants, and Keese instead of Swoopers. 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 trick.
Using either the Link or Toon Link amiibo unlocks the Link Racing Suit usable by the Mii character.
The game's concept of light/dark duality, as well as the collection of Temple Keys, was compared 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.[4]
Interestingly, some game journalists and critics also compared this game to Majora's Mask, as both games are credited for being darker and more challenging than their respective predecessors, albeit also less influential.[5][6]
Players can unlock a special feature known as Bumper Stickers, which decorates Samus's Gunship with stickers based of certain Nintendo games that have data stored in the players' Wii consoles. One of this stickers is the Royal Crest from Twilight Princess.
A few Nintendo references appear in the form some of the Treasures Wario can obtain in each level. The treasure found in the Story "Get in the Tea Cup" is a gem that appears similar to a Rupee, while a blue Ocarina much like the Flute from Template:ALTTP appears in "Stop that Train!". A staff resembling the Cane of Byrna appears in "Get to the Castle!!", while "Return the Hen to Her Nest" contains winged boots resembling the Boots from Template:AOL.
Two of the stages are based on the original 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.
There's a part in the game where the player goes to Sunny Peak and pulls The Legendary Spoon out of its pedestal, similar to Link pulling the Master Sword out of its pedestal. It references A Link to the Past, in which Link also had to get a blue, red and green orb before he could pull the sword from its pedestal. This specific quest has also been featured in several other Zelda games.
Ham-Merchants across the game say "Buy something, will ya?", like the merchants from the first game.
The Idol description for the Fairy Orbitars references Navi in the first sentence.
Nintendo Badge Arcade
Several badges based on the sprites from the original The Legend of Zelda can be collected in the application. These can be used to customize the home menu of the Nintendo 3DS.[8] More badges are occasionally released through updates. Badges based on artwork from The Wind Waker HD, A Link Between Worlds and Tri Force Heroes have also been released.[9][10]
One of the minigames is called The Legend of Zelda: Battle Quest, and is a direct homage to the series, where the player takes on the role of Link and fights many monsters from the series in familiar landscapes.
Aside from the obvious Zelda references relating to Battle Quest, the Triforce makes an appearance in Yoshi's Fruit Cart 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 the special episode "Igglybuff the Prodigy", there is a cutscene involving a room in a dungeon filled with many Zelda dungeon puzzle-like implements that a character explains are probably all used to open the door in that room. A later cutscene involves the same character talking about a single simple, common (but reverse-solution) Zelda puzzle type found in front of him inside another dungeon.
An 8-bit Octorok from The Legend of Zelda can be found in one of the walls in the Urchin Underpass map.[11] 8-bit Octoroks from The Adventure of Link can also be found in various stages.[12]
In the Wii U version of Bayonetta that is packaged with retail copies of Bayonetta 2, the titular character Bayonetta and Jeanne appear with multiple Nintendo-inspired outfits, including the Hero of Hyrule costume based on Link. With this costume, they use the Master Sword and Hylian Shield, with the Master Sword replacing the Shuraba Sword and the Shield used to parry and counter incoming attacks. Other elements from the Zelda series also appear, such as collectible Rupees and jingles that play when opening a locked door or a chest.[14]
Released exclusively in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS, the game features a costume of Link in his Skyward Sword incarnation (along with a costume of Zero Suit Samus). He is equipped with the True Master Sword and the Hylian Shield; however, he does not use them as it is only a costume and not a full character.
By using amiibos through the Nintendo 3DS, various costumes based on Nintendo characters can be unlocked. Scanning the Link amiibo creates a Link costume for Zoro, which includes the Master Sword, Hylian Shield, and Majora's Mask.
Ittle Dew bears homage to the classic 2D Zelda titles and contains similar puzzle elements as well as Hearts and Chests. The protagonist herself greatly resembles Link, and she is accompanied by a winged companion, similar to Navi.
The Legend of Zelda Zone is a free DLC-level for Sonic Lost World. In the level, Sonic the Hedgehog is dressed like Link in a green tunic and boots. The Zone features many elements from Zelda series, including enemies, objects, and sounds. Link himself appears in his Skyward Sword incarnation.
Along with other Nintendo-themed cameos such as Samus's Power Beam, the Hylian Shield appears as a Shield weapon in the Japanese version of Phantasy Star Zero. It is only available using a special code.
Miu Hinasaki, one of the playable protagonists in Maiden of Black Water, is capable of wearing an alternate costume that grants her the dress of Princess Zelda from Hyrule Warriors.
Costumes of Link in his Skyward Sword incarnation with the Master Sword, Hylian Shield, and the Sacred Bow is available in Monster Hunter 4 after completing a quest where players have to defeat monsters known as Jinouga, Kirin, and Rajang. These monsters are chosen to represent Power, Wisdom and Courage, the three aspects of the Triforce. Defeating them grants the player a Triforce ticket that can be used to obtain the item set.
The Palico companions in Monster Hunter X for the Nintendo 3DS will be able to wear a Toon Link costume as a form of DLC. This will grant them his appearance, with the only major changes being cat ears, a cat's tail, and whiskers. They are able to use Template:It as a melee weapon to strike enemies. The costume also has the completed Master Sword and the Mirror Shield attached to its back.
In one episode, Mario is rescuing some aliens known as Quirks from Moon Man Koopa. In the episode, the Quirks sing a song to stop Koopa. The song that the Quirks play is the beginning theme from the Zelda cartoon.
In the episode "Time To Rob and Slam", when the show's main characters Cyd and Shelby watch Barry's favorite movie "Spark Dynamo", a white Triforce is shown in the background near the end of the episode.
Other Media
Nintendo.co.uk
Whenever there is a 404 error on Nintendo UK's official website, the page will show Error and quote "Perhaps it's south of King's Tomb".[15]
↑"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)