Cameos in The Legend of Zelda

Cameos, also known as Easter Eggs, are extras intentionally programmed into a game by the developers. Throughout The Legend of Zelda series there have been many Cameos and Easter Eggs, such as images, characters, and enemies taken from other Nintendo franchises.

The Legend of Zelda

According to the Japanese manual, Manhandla is a large Piranha Plant from the Super Mario series, and Digdogger is a giant Unira from Clu Clu Land.^[1]^[2]
The Rupee sprites are modeled after the Gold Bars in Clu Clu Land.
The sprites of Blocks are from Super Mario Bros.

A Link to the Past

Several houses in Kakariko Village have a portrait of Mario.
Chain Chomps from the Super Mario series appear as enemies in Turtle Rock and the Palace of the Four Sword.
The Fairy Fountain theme (also the File Select theme) is a remix of the music that plays in Water Land from Super Mario Bros. 3.

Link's Awakening

The photo enclosed in Christine's letter

Tarin resembles Mario, as they look similar, like mushrooms, and turn into raccoons.
The Cucco Keeper resembles Luigi.
Christine's love letter to Mr. Write includes a photograph of Princess Peach.
A Yoshi Doll can be obtained as a prize in the Trendy Game.
Many enemies from the Mario series make an appearance, including Bloopers, Bob-ombs, Boos, Chain Chomps, Cheep-Cheeps, Goombas, Piranha Plants, Pokeys, Shy Guys, and Thwomps.
In the Switch remake, statues of Mario enemies can be obtained. The pedestal for the Blooper Figure says "Squids are the hot new thing with kids today" which is a reference to the Splatoon series.
Mamu the frog is Wart from Super Mario Bros. 2. Mamu is Wart's Japanese name.
An enemy called Anti-Kirby (called simply Kirby in Japan) appears in Eagle's Tower. It attacks by inhaling and is colored pink in Link's Awakening DX.
Sea Urchins resemble Gordos from the Kirby series.
Mr. Write is based on Dr. Wright from SimCity, who is a cameo of SimCity's creator Will Wright. The music in his house is a remix of Dr. Wright's theme.
Prince Richard is the hero's rival from Kaeru no Tameni Kane ha Naru, a Japan-only game for the Game Boy. Richard's Villa music is a remix of the Kaeru overworld theme. The frogs inside his house also appear in the game.
Totaka's Song can be heard in Richard's Villa after the song loops for several minutes.^[3]
In the French version, if Link calls from the phone in Grandpa Ulrira's house, Madonna will answer him.^[4]

Ocarina of Time

Talon and Ingo resemble Mario and Luigi, respectively.
Malon and Talon wear a Bowser brooch.
Various portraits of characters from the Mario series can be found in Princess Zelda's Courtyard. These include a portrait of Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, and Bowser.
On the second floor of Dodongo's Cavern, there is a sign carved out of stone that was re-used from the one in Princess Peach's Castle's courtyard from Super Mario 64.
An Arwing from Star Fox 64 can be found inside the game's files; it was used to code Volvagia's movement.
The Stone of Agony resembles the Nintendo 64's Rumble Pak.

Ocarina of Time 3D

Princess Zelda's Courtyard's portraits were replaced by a replica of a level from New Super Mario Bros..
Posters featuring artwork from Skyward Sword can be found in Lon Lon Ranch, Gerudo's Fortress, and the Bombchu Shop.

Majora's Mask

The Happy Mask Salesman's backpack features various easter eggs:

Face shown on the Mirror Shield.
Face shown on Mayor Dotour's chair in its opposite emotion.
Possible reference to Elvis Presley.
Possible reference to Darth Maul.
Mario.
Possible reference to a luchador mask.
Possible reference to King Dedede.

Mr. Barten resembles Mario.
Gorman and the Gorman Brothers resemble Luigi.
"Farewell to Gibdos," the song that plays at the Music Box House, resembles the music of the Merry-Go-Round from Big Boo's Haunt in Super Mario 64.
In the Astral Observatory, near the Pierre, a rough drawing of a dolphin can be found. This is possibly a reference to the GameCube's codename, Dolphin.
The 5 animal Masks may be a reference to the Star Fox series. The Keaton Mask resembles Fox McCloud, the Bremen Mask Falco Lombardi, the Bunny Hood Peppy Hare, Don Gero's Mask Slippy Toad, and the Mask of Scents Pigma Dengar.

Majora's Mask 3D

Plushes of Epona and Ganondorf's Steed can be found inside Cremia and Romani's room in Romani Ranch.
Several references to Nintendo's history can be around Termina. These include:
- An Ultra Hand, a machine resembling a GameCube, and diagrams of the Wii Remote and Wii U Gamepad inside the Bomb Shop.
- A Ten Billion Barrel inside the Town Shooting Gallery.
- A R.O.B. behind the counter of the Curiosity Shop, which can only be seen from the shop's back room.
- A Wii Remote in the Goron Elder's Son's playroom inside the Goron Shrine.
- A Love Tester inside the Marine Research Lab.

Oracle of Seasons

Thwomps appear as enemies in Oracle of Seasons.
Talon from Oracle of Seasons resembles Mario.
Dr. Left from Oracle of Seasons is based on Dr. Wright from SimCity.
In Oracle of Ages, after Vire kidnaps Princess Zelda and takes her to the Black Tower, a recreation of the Donkey Kong game happens. Vire appears as Donkey Kong, Princess Zelda as Pauline, and Link as Jumpman.

Four Swords

Bob-ombs appear as enemies.

The Wind Waker

The Tingle Tuner resembles a Game Boy Advance.
The Hand-me Down Tingle Tuner resembles a Game Boy Color.
In the Nintendo Gallery, Manny (The Wind Waker) has an 8-bit Octorok on his hand bag.
In the Nintendo Gallery, the Bunny Hood, All-Night Mask, Goron Mask, and Keaton Mask can be seen hanging behind Carlov.
Mako resembles Professor E. Gadd from the Super Mario series.
The Armos Knights have noses and moustaches that strongly resemble Wario's.

Four Swords Adventures

Thwomps, Cheep Cheeps, Big Cheep Cheeps, and Chain Chomps appear as enemies.
Talon resembles Mario.
Mako, whose face resembles Professor E. Gadd, reappears in this game.

The Minish Cap

Bob-ombs and Lakitus appear as enemies.
The vine growing sound effect from Super Mario Bros. plays when a vine is grown.
Chain-link platforms with flipping gates resemble the ones from the Mario series.
Dr. Left is based on Dr. Wright from SimCity.

Twilight Princess

Fyer has a Bullet Bill on one of his sleeves.
Gor Amoto's name may be derived from Shigeru Miyamoto, which is further supported by his Japanese name, Don Shīgeru.

Twilight Princess HD

Pictures from the Breath of the Wild reveal trailer can be found in Chudley's Fine Goods and Fancy Trinkets Emporium.

Phantom Hourglass

Dee Ess Island is shaped as a Nintendo DS.
Gossip Stones have a similar nose and moustache like Wario.
Mako, whose face resembles Professor E. Gadd, reappears in this game.

Spirit Tracks

A figurine of Tingle can be found in several houses and shops. A golden version also exists inside the Trading Post.

Skyward Sword

A Tingle plush can be found on Zelda's room inside the Knight Academy.
One of the pictures on the wall inside Skipper's house in his Retreat is a reference to an infamous scene from the movie Titanic.
There are industrial objects in Lanayru that vaguely resemble Gamecubes.

A Link Between Worlds

Majora's Mask can be found hanging on a wall inside Link's House.
A painting of Makar can be seen hanging inside the house of the Woman.
The Milk Bar Owner in Hyrule resembles Mario, and the Milk Bar Owner in Lorule resembles Luigi.

Hyrule Warriors

A Chain Chomp, which previously made a cameo appearance in Link's Awakening, appears as the Ball and Chain included with Link's Level 3 Gauntlets, the Power Gloves.

Tri Force Heroes

A picture of Makar can be found hanging among the pictures of the Miiverse Gallery.
The Fire Gloves, which allow the Links to throw fireballs from their hands, function identically to the Fire Mario form in the Super Mario series. They also produce the same sound effect from Super Mario Bros.
The Hammerwear Outfit is designed after a Hammer Bro from the Super Mario series.
- If the blue Link or red Link wears the the Hammerwear Outfit, it resembles a Boomerang Bro or a Fire Bro, respectively.

Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland

Princess Zelda makes an appearance.
Lon Lon Meadow is named after Lon Lon Ranch.
A man who resembles Ingo is found around Lon Lon Meadows.
The Tingle Tuner resembles a Nintendo DS.^{[citation needed]}
Tingle's fight against Captain Stalfos resembles the gameplay of the Punch-Out!! games.

Breath of the Wild

All toponyms are references within the Zelda series, and many locations exist in a ruined state.
Satori Mountain is named for Satoru Iwata.
Wizzrobes act like Magikoopas, specifically from Super Mario Galaxy.
Brigo may be based on Kevin Briggs.
Revali is based on Falco from the Star Fox series.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

Impa's hand motions are from the anime Naruto.
Mipha's traversal is swimming over land, in reference to an exploit from Breath of the Wild that Sidon can be captured from the Vah Ruta battle.
Sidon's Remote Bomb attack is "Hole In One" from Rhythm Heaven Fever.

Gallery

Portrait of Mario from A Link to the Past
Chain Chomps from A Link to the Past
Artwork of Tarin from Link's Awakening
Yoshi Doll artwork from Link's Awakening
Chain Chomp artwork from Link's Awakening
Artwork of Mr. Write from Link's Awakening
Anti-Kirby from Link's Awakening
Artwork of Talon from Ocarina of Time
Artwork of Ingo from Ocarina of Time
Stone of Agony artwork from Ocarina of Time
Unused Arwing from Ocarina of Time
Posters featuring Skyward Sword artwork from Ocarina of Time 3D

Posters featuring Skyward Sword artwork from Ocarina of Time 3D
New Super Mario Bros. Level from Ocarina of Time 3D
The Star Fox team Masks from Majora's Mask
GameCube and Ultra Hand in the Bomb Shop from Majora's Mask 3D
Ten Billion Barrel in the Town Shooting Gallery from Majora's Mask 3D
Wii Remote in the Goron Shrine from Majora's Mask 3D
Love Tester in the Marine Research Lab from Majora's Mask 3D
Artwork of Dr. Left from Oracle of Seasons

Artwork of Dr. Left from Oracle of Seasons
Thwomp from Oracle of Seasons
Donkey Kong recreation in Oracle of Ages
Bob-omb from Four Swords and The Minish Cap
Artwork of Manny with an 8-bit Octorok from The Wind Waker

Artwork of Manny with an 8-bit Octorok from The Wind Waker
Tingle Tuner from The Wind Waker

Tingle Tuner from The Wind Waker
The Masks from The Wind Waker
Thwomp from Four Swords Adventures
Chain Chomp from Four Swords Adventures
Dr. Left from The Minish Cap
Lakitu from The Minish Cap
Map of Dee Ess Island from Phantom Hourglass

Map of Dee Ess Island from Phantom Hourglass
Artwork of Fyer with a Bullet Bill from Twilight Princess
Tingle figurine inside the Trading Post from Spirit Tracks
Tingle figurine inside the Castle Town Shop from Spirit Tracks
Tingle's plush from Skyward Sword
Majora's Mask inside Link's house in A Link Between Worlds
Painting of Makar in A Link Between Worlds
Picture of Makar in Tri Force Heroes

Picture of Makar in Tri Force Heroes
Robot resembling Chibi Robo from Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland
Link from Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland
Princess Zelda from Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland
Mini-game select screen from Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland