Cameos of The Legend of Zelda

A cameo of characters, places, or items from The Legend of Zelda series in other games, TV shows, movies, or other media.

Games

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

Final Fantasy

In the Japanese version of Final Fantasy, there is a grave hidden in Elfland that read "Here Lies Link 837 - 866. R. I. P.". In the US version of this game; the gravestone was changed to read, "Here lies Erdrick 837 - 866. R. I. P.", referring to the hero from the Dragon Quest series. However, Link's grave can still be found in the remake of this game in the iOS, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation, and PlayStation Portable.

Tetris

By completing a B-type game at Level 9 or above with height of 5, a screen packed with Nintendo characters appears. Link can be found in the bottom corner, playing the Recorder.

Super Mario Bros. 3

Toad houses sometimes contain a whistle that can be used to travel to other worlds. It is a reference to the Recorder from The Legend of Zelda. It even plays the same tune, and the whirlwind also appears to take the player away.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

If the game is completed with less than 19 DK Coins, third place in Cranky's Video Game Heroes will be held by Link, second place by Yoshi, and first place by Mario.

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!

Go into any of the General Stores and talk to Bazaar the Bear about the castle. If the player refuses to pay up for the information, Bazaar will tell him or her about a boy called Link who was also asking about the castle, complaining that the shells were 'the wrong shape'.

Kirby Super Star

When Kirby gains the Sword ability, he wears a green cap and wields the Master Sword from The Legend of Zelda series. Kirby also gains Link's abilities such as the Sword Beam and Down Thrust. Beside that, many of the treasures in the Great Cave Offensive are based on items from other Nintendo games. One of them being the Triforce; the final treasure on the list, and the most valuable one.

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

Link can be found sleeping at the Rose Town inn. If the player talks to him, it will play the classic Zelda discovery theme.

Picross NP Vol.5

This game has an entire category dedicated to Ocarina of Time. It features pictures of characters such as Navi, Epona, Ruto, Darunia, Kaepora Gaebora, Princess Zelda, Link, Deku Scrub, Ganondorf, Fairy Ocarina, Keaton Mask, and Fairy Slingshot.

Game Boy

F-1 Race

Before Course 5, the contestants are cheered by Link. Other Nintendo characters that appear are Toad, Luigi, Princess Peach, Mario, Samus Aran, Pit, and Donkey Kong. The characters can also be seen again during the ending sequence. Bowser also appears at the end of the ending sequence.

Game Boy Color

Mario Golf GB

Several Ocarina of Time character names will randomly show up on the score board. The names included are Link, Princess Zelda, Navi, King Zora, Dampé, Impa, Saria, Darunia, Ruto, Talon, Sheik, Rauru, Bonooru, Skull Kid, Deku, Goron Kid, Mido, Nabooru, Pierre, and Ingo. Beside that, the fourth club in this game is named the "Link Club," and it bears the symbol of the Triforce.

Game Boy Advance

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

There is Zelda reference in the Fabled Sword mission. The mission description say, "I found the designs for making the same sword used by a legendary swordsman! But, the ingredients are hard to find. Please help. Rewards: 12600 gil, Master Sword, 80 AP". The Legendary Swordsman is a reference of Link, and his weapon is the Master Sword. The Master Sword is one of the most powerful weapons in this game. It description say, "Only master swordsmen may wield this weapon".

Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak

Hidden up on Sunny Peak is a mysterious altar. If the player can put the three colored gems in the front of it, he or she will be able to pull out the legendary spoon. This is cameo of Master Sword from Zelda series. One of the shopkeepers in the game also say "Buy somethin', will ya?", the phrase spoken by some of the Merchants from the first Zelda game. Upon receiving items, Hamtaro also holds them above his head in much the same manner as Link.

Kirby and the Amazing Mirror

When Kirby sucks up a Sword-based enemy, he'll get hold of Master Sword and hat resembles the one belonging to Link. The game also is very similar to Four Swords, in that Link has clones in that game (each with a unique color).

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

If Mario and Luigi make enough drinks at the Starbeans Café; they'll earn the Great Force, an item that will increase their power and the damage they take. This item was originally supposed to be the Triforce, and Link was supposed to appear when the player got it.

WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames!

The Legend of Zelda is a part of 9-Volt's Microgames (mode that featured classic Nintendo games). Using the D-pad; players will take control of Link and guide him into the cave, avoiding the hazards such a Zola fire and a Peahat. During the credits, players can change the shape of the stars that fly past the screen into small Triforces if they hold Down on the control pad.

WarioWare: Twisted!

The Legend of Zelda returns in 9-Volt's Microgames (mode based on classic NES games). This time, players must rotate the console to spin Link around to deflect the projectiles from the circle of Octoroks.

Nintendo 64

Mario Golf 64

Several Ocarina of Time character names will randomly show up on the score board. The included names are Darunia, Deku Scrub, Goron Kid, Impa, Link, Malon, Navi, Saria, Sheik, Talon, and Zelda.

Yoshi's Story

On Stages 2-3 and 2–4, Yoshi has to pass through an underground sewer with old newspaper background. Most of them feature words related to Nintendo including word "Zelda".

Nintendo GameCube

Super Mario Sunshine

In this game, Mario runs around carrying a device called FLUDD that helps him clean the graffiti off the island of Delfino. Throughout the game he eventually runs into a masked man named Il Piantissimo who wants to race you. Upon hacking the game via GameShark, one can have the privilege of taking off Piantissimo's mask to reveal his face. It is then clear that he is cameo of the Running Man from Ocarina of Time.

Donkey Konga

A Latin-style remix of The Legend of Zelda's main overworld theme is featured in the U.S./Europe version of this game. The players also can buy alternate sound effects for their bongos. Some of these sound themes have been taken straight from The Legend of Zelda, A Link to the Past, and Ocarina of Time.

Donkey Konga 2: Hit Song Parade!

A Latin-style remix of The Legend of Zelda's main overworld theme is returned in the U.S./Europe version of this game. When the player get a good score; they will get a character badge, including a badges from Zelda series featuring Link, Tetra, Zelda, Ganondorf, and Tingle. The face of these characters also featured in a slot machine during a Battle mode.

Donkey Konga 3: All You Can Eat! 50 Freshly-Picked Springtime Songs

This Japan only third installment of Donkey Konga features many songs based on Nintendo games including a song based on The Legend of Zelda theme.

Nintendo DS

Kirby: Canvas Curse

On Paint Roller's mini-game (called Paint Panic), Kirby may have to draw a number of cameo images related to Nintendo. It includes the Triforce from The Legend of Zelda series.

Tetris DS

There is an entire game mode dedicated to Link called Mission, where players have to complete certain tasks presented to them. It is highly based on puzzle solving, much as Link does on his own adventures. Music in this mode also taken from the Zelda series.

WarioWare: Touched!

The Legend of Zelda makes another appearance in 9-Volt's Microgames. This time, the players must tap the fairies that appear on the original screen of The Legend of Zelda.

8-Bit Hero mini-game in 9-Volt's Microgames also has Zelda cameo. In this mini-game, the players must select the pixel that differs between the top and bottom screens to make a scene from an NES game appear. Link is one of many Nintendo characters featured.

Like in the first WarioWare games on GBA, you also will see the Triforce from The Legend of Zelda series and the GameCube "G" logo during the credits.

Nintendo 3DS

Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?!

This game pays homage to The Adventure of Link. It borrows both the top-down view and the side-scrolling from Zelda II. Large overworld areas will be presented in top-down and smaller areas in side-scrolling. Like Zelda II; when walking around in top world mode, the player will run into the black, shadowy creatures, which randomly pop up.

This game also uses a very similar logo, menu format, and health system to Zelda II. It also featured many other Zelda elements such as the famous Zelda chime that accompanies opening a Treasure Chest, and feature in a door which brings forth the phrase, "Hey man! It's dangerous to go alone!" The thriller can be watched here.

Dynasty Warriors Vs.

In this game, the players will be able to dress their custom characters either in Link's Skyward Sword outfit or Samus Aran's Zero Suit.

Kid Icarus: Uprising

The description for the Fairy Orbitars' idol reads, "Tired of pixies asking you to listen?" This is a reference to Navi from Ocarina of Time, who is infamous for constantly yelling "Hey! Listen!"

Other reference occurs in Chapter Ten, The Wish Seed. When a puzzle is solved, the player can hear the familiar "Puzzle Solved" chime from the Zelda series!

Super Mario 3D Land

World 5-2 is played from top-down, in a homage to The Legend of Zelda for its 25th Anniversary. One of the star medals requires lighting four torches in a side room. Doing so opens a door and the Zelda "Puzzle Solved" chime plays.

Reportedly, the developers originally wanted the level to be World 2-5, for further homage to Zelda's 25th Anniversary, but felt that it would be placed too early in World 2.

Nintendo Wii

Animal Crossing: City Folk

Each time you shop at Tom Nook's store, you'll earn points that can be traded in for rewards. Some rewards are based on items from The Legend of Zelda series. These rewards are Hero's Clothes, Hero's Cap, Majora's Mask, and Midna's Mask.

Several other items also are based on items from The Legend of Zelda series. It includes the Triforce and Master Sword. When you try to use Master Sword, it plays the Zelda "Get Item" theme.

During the Flea Market, one of your villagers might say; "Buy somethin' will you?" This phrase is taken from the Merchants in the original The Legend of Zelda. Beside that; on the dashboard of Kapp'n's bus, you can see text written in Hylian, the language in The Legend of Zelda series.

Nintendo Wii U

Super Mario Maker

The Mystery Mushroom power-up gives Mario the appearance of 153 possible costumes, which are unlocked by completing challenges or using amiibos.

The Legend of Zelda costumes are:

• 

  #53: Link.
  Unlocked with any Link amiibo. Also available through random chance when clearing 100 Mario Challenge on any difficulty.

• 

  #54: Zelda.
  Unlocked with any Zelda amiibo. Also available through random chance when clearing 100 Mario Challenge on Expert or Super Expert.

• 

  #55: Ganondorf
  Unlocked with any Ganon/dorf amiibo. Also available through random chance when clearing 100 Mario Challenge on any difficulty.

• 

  #56: Sheik
  Unlocked with any Sheik amiibo. Also available through random chance when clearing 100 Mario Challenge on Normal, Expert or Super Expert.

• 

  #57: Tingle
  Available through random chance when clearing 100 Mario Challenge on Normal, Expert or Super Expert.

• 

  #58: Toon Link
  Unlocked with any Toon Link amiibo. Also available through random chance when clearing 100 Mario Challenge on Normal, Expert or Super Expert.

• 

  #102: Totem Link
  Unlocked by clearing "Tri Force Heroes" Event Course.

• 

  #132: Wolf Link (with Midna)
  Unlocked by clearing "Twilight Princess HD" Event Course, or with Wolf Link amiibo.

• 

  #134: Tetra.
  Available through random chance when clearing 100 Mario Challenge on Normal, Expert or Super Expert.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2

This game includes some hilarious Nintendo-themed costumes. Characters can be dressed up as Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf from the Zelda series; and even Mario, Luigi, Bowser, and Zero Suit Samus. Click here for trailer.

Bayonetta 2

Bayonetta 2's exclusive release on the Wii U includes some special Nintendo-themed costumes with it. Players are able to dress Bayonetta in the Galactic Bounty Hunter (Samus), Mushroom Kingdom Princess (Peach), and Hero of Hyrule (Link) costumes.

Super Mario 3D World

In World ⭐-1: Rainbow Run, a bonus room involves stamping on black floor tiles to reveal an image of Link's The Legend of Zelda sprite. On completion, an arrangement of the The Legend of Zelda overworld theme plays until returning to the main level.

Movies

Wikipedia: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Many sound effects from A Link to the Past can be heard throughout the movie, as well as the Hyrule Overworld theme emitting from "Young Neil's" Nintendo DS Lite.

There is a scene in the movie in which Scott Pilgrim enters a bathroom and the music playing is the Fairy Fountain theme. The scene can be found here

Television

Wikipedia: Powerpuff Girls

In the episode "Child Fearing", there is a character who looks like Link and has a Fairy. The character was in a game, played by Mayor of Townsville, with a UI based on Ocarina of Time. The Mayor made the character slash his sword, run into walls, and kill a boss-like fairy. The Mayor dies and gets a "start over?" screen, then the screen zooms out of the game, and the viewers can see the Mayor holding what looks like a Nintendo 64 controller.

References

1. ↑ Official Nintendo Magazine
2. ↑ The Mushroom Kingdom
3. ↑ {{{1}}}
4. ↑ IGN
5. ↑ " The Zelda tribute level was born from tests we did to determine what type of expressions would be effective in stereoscopic 3D...We determined that looking down on a room from above would be a good match for 3D, and when we created a level in which Mario walks from room to room, we ended up saying, 'this seems oddly familiar… it's Zelda!... Having taken things that far, we decided to add a number of ideas from Zelda. Since it was the 25th anniversary of Zelda, we could have made the Zelda tribute level 2-5, but we didn't think it would be a good idea to put the level in too early, so we made it level 5-2 instead." " — Koichi Hayashida, The Creation of Super Mario 3D Land - IGN
6. ↑ GenGAME