Mario
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Mario is a video game franchise created by Nintendo in 1981. It is one of the largest video game franchises, consisting of over 200 titles and even three related franchises, Yoshi, Wario, and Donkey Kong. It stars the titular character Mario, a red-capped plumber who often has to go on an adventure to save Princess Peach, particularly in the main Super Mario series. Shigeru Miyamoto is credited for being the creator of Mario, just like The Legend of Zelda.
Since the beginning, The Legend of Zelda series has been closely connected to the Mario franchise. A The Legend of Zelda title has often been developed concurrently with a Super Mario series title by a similar group of developers. This has occurred as early as The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros., with the open world ideas going into the former game and the linear ideas going into the latter. The The Legend of Zelda game with the most Mario-related material is Link's Awakening.
There are several Mario elements that are also a part of The Legend of Zelda despite the two being separate franchises. For instance, several recurring Mario enemies — such as Chain Chomps, Podoboos, and Thwomps — have appeared as actual enemies in a few The Legend of Zelda titles. Chain Chomps were even planned to first appear as enemies in The Legend of Zelda franchise,[1] but ended up first appearing in Super Mario Bros. 3. However, A Link to the Past still counts as one of their earlier appearances.
The The Legend of Zelda series has sometimes elaborated upon the family tree of some Mario species, such as Manhandlas, who are said to be giant Piranha Plants.
Cameos
A Link to the Past
The Chain Chomp enemy is a direct reference to the enemy of the same name seen in various Super Mario Bros. games. Only two Chain Chomps are seen in A Link to the Past, both being in the same room in Turtle Rock. Hokkubokkus can also be interpreted as a cameo of Super Mario's Pokey, often found in desert levels.
Link's Awakening
Many of the enemies in Link's Awakening share close similarities to those from the Super Mario Bros. series. These include Piranha Plant, Blooper, Cheep Cheep, Goomba, and many more. These enemies are typically found in the Underworld section of the game.
In Mabe Village, Madam MeowMeow owns three pet Chain Chomps, BowWow, ChowChow and CiaoCiao; who she adores very much. The aforementioned BowWow is a part of the main plot, as he must be rescued from the Moblin Cave. BowWow then helps Link to enter the Bottle Grotto dungeon.
Mr. Write shows Link a photograph of Princess Peach from the Mario franchise, sent to him by a goatwoman named Christine, as a picture of herself.
Ocarina of Time
Ocarina of Time features multiple easter eggs focusing on Super Mario 64. Before or after talking to Zelda in the Castle Courtyard, if Link looks through one of the windows, paintings of Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi and Bowser can be seen. In the 3D version, the paintings are replaced with a level, complete with pipes and blocks.
Malon, the ranch girl, and her father Talon can be seen wearing necklaces, where on the medal Bowser's face can be seen.
Talon and Ingo, of Lon Lon Ranch, share close similarities to Mario and Luigi from the Super Mario Bros. series.
Majora's Mask
The Happy Mask Salesman is carrying a large bag full of Masks, some of which are attached to the outside. One of these masks is that of Mario himself, hidden away where the player would not think to look. This mask cannot be obtained in the game; for it is purely an Easter Egg.
The Minish Cap
- Main article: Bob-omb
The enemy Bob-omb can be seen in the Cave of Flames, which will start running around frantically once Link slashes at one with his sword. This enemy is a direct cameo to the enemy of the same name from games such as Super Mario 64.
Twilight Princess
The character Fyer, found in Lake Hylia who runs a cannon repair shop, has an image of a Bullet Bill on his right sleeve.