Zelda References and Easter Eggs in the Games of 2015 (Part 2)

Many games released throughout the year of 2015 gave some rather cool nods to

The Legend of Zelda. In Part One, we took a look at Zelda references seen in games like Super Mario Maker, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, and Yoshi’s Woolly World, but commenters were quick to share even more games that spread the Zelda love around. So, let’s take a look back at more Zelda references, secrets, and Easter eggs within the games of 2015.

Puzzle & Dragons Z + Super Mario Bros. Edition

This year, Nintendo published the massive compilation puzzle game (with the just as massive title)

Puzzle & Dragons Z + Super Mario Bros. Edition. Within the Puzzle & Dragons Z side of this collection, there is a series of side quests that asks players to find items that reference other classic video games. The player is tasked to find a Big Mushroom (Super Mario), Hedgehog’s Shoes (Sonic the Hedgehog), Last Legend’s Gem (Final Fantasy), and most importantly the Sacred Triangle (The Legend of Zelda). According to character Montana, “this artifact looks like a plain triangular stone, but it actually preserved balance in the world,” much like the sacred Triforce. Unfortunately after the player receives this fabled stone, it does not actually grant power or wishes; it is merely a triangle stone after all. I guess that power is reserved only for the Zelda series.

Undertale

Toby “Radiation” Fox’s indie-darling

Undertale (which just won GameFAQ’s “Best Game Ever” contest against Ocarina of Time) was lauded for many, many reasons. One such reason is that the game cleverly and subversively pays homage to many classics from gaming’s past, and The Legend of Zelda was certainly not ignored. When the player visits the “Spider Bake Sale” run by character Muffet, he or she can examine the different confectionaries that are available. If the player checks out the Spider Croissant, the in-game text reads, “It looks like some sort of powerful bracelet,” a playful reference to the Power Bracelet item found in certain Zelda games. I’m sure many players have once said to themselves, “It looks more like a croissant,” when looking at Link’s Power Bracelet.

Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows

Spoilers ahead: The year of 2015 saw the release of the Plague of Shadows expansion for Yacht Club Games’ smash-hit Shovel Knight. Following the exploits of Plague Knight in the new Plague Campaign, Plague of Shadows introduces a plague of new adventures and enemies, and plagues us with the overuse of the word “plague.” Near the campaign’s end, after Plague Knight defeats the Enchantress, a wave of dark energy is released thus creating a shadowy doppelganger of the protagonist known as the Plague of Shadows. Plague Knight must fight this dark version of himself in a climactic battle very similar to the boss fight with Link’s Shadow at the end of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. Like Dark Link, the Plague of Shadows mirrors Plague Knight’s attacks and serves as a fitting foe for the expansion’s conclusion. Yacht Club was smart to draw inspiration from The Adventure of Link for this explosive confrontation.

The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth

In addition to a multitude of new features,

The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth expansion added ten brand new challenges to the already-massive, rogue-like dungeon crawler. One of these challenges is called “I RULE!” (an obvious pun on “Hyrule”), which strongly references elements from the Zelda series. As if The Binding of Isaac‘s dungeon exploration gameplay wasn’t already drawing inspiration from The Legend of Zelda on the NES, the I RULE! challenge starts the player with a knife, a shield, a ladder, a boomerang, and some key pieces, all resembling items traditionally held by young hero Link. With his weapons and equipment in hand, Isaac can now face the dangerous alone and the threat of Mega Satan just like Hyrule’s legendary hero.

Just Cause 3

Between grappling across a massive island and causing untold amounts of open-world mayhem,

Just Cause 3 shares plenty of tips and quips through its loading screens. Among a variety of other film and game references, one loading screen tip reads, “It’s dangerous to go alone! Honk the horn… in a land vehicle to get rebel allies to jump in and ride along.” I’m not sure what all that has to do with receiving swords from old men in caves, but it sure is cool to see The Legend of Zelda referenced in Avalanche Studio’s new game. To think, this little nod may have gone by unnoticed if not for Just Cause 3‘s ungodly load times.

Xenoblade Chronicles X

There are a few sights in the world of Xenoblade Chronicles X that may serve as references to the Zelda series. The first can be seen when the adorable companion Tatsu is initially introduced. Upon joining your party, Tatsu will gift you the rather useful Follow Ball; he digs this little object out of his pack and lifts it above his head with much fanfare, bearing a resemblance to the way Link celebrates items obtained from chests. But that’s not all. In some of the game’s major settlements, certain NPC’s will shout both “Hey!” and “Listen!”, a possible reference to Ocarina of Time‘s infamous fairy. These occurrences may not be substantial enough to prove a direct reference to Zelda, but they at least help to remind us of stand-out moments seen in the Zelda franchise.

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And there you have: many more references, secrets, and Easter eggs to

The Legend of Zelda throughout 2015. With these many games paying tribute to our favorite Nintendo franchise, and the great Zelda games we saw this year, 2015 has proven itself as a great year for Zelda fans.

Be sure to read Part One if you haven’t already. And while I can’t add any more games to this list, please feel free to let us know if we missed any Zelda secrets or references.