List of references in Nintendo video games

A list of references to the Mario franchise in video games.

Animal Crossing (GCN)

 * When Rover calls Tom Nook, he says "It's-a me! Good impression, huh?", referring to Mario's famous catchphrase.
 * There are many rare NES games that the player can find and play once they are in their house. Among them are several Mario games:
 * Donkey Kong (game) and Donkey Kong Jr. Math are obtainable from Tom Nook's Lottery, Crazy Redd's, or by digging it up after a villager buries it.
 * Wario's Woods can be obtained by burying a furniture item on Animal Island, then having the Islander dig it up and bury another item as replacement. The replacement item has a chance of being Wario's Woods.
 * Donkey Kong Jr. and Donkey Kong 3 are obtainable through codes provided as prizes from Nintendo giveaways.
 * Mario Bros. can be obtained by scanning an e-Reader card for the game.
 * Super Mario Bros. is hidden in the game's code and can only be obtained through cheating devices.
 * Two items in the game are rare Mario and Luigi statues, which are gold and silver respectively.
 * While rowing to Animal Island, Kapp'n sings one of a few random songs, and a line to one of them is that he sings better than Mario.
 * After rescuing Gulliver, the player might be told of how he left his pet goldfish in Hyrule and Toad Town.
 * There is a series of Mario-themed furniture that can be unlocked with special cheat codes from Nintendo Power if the player tells them to Tom Nook. They include: a Warp Pipe, a Super Star, a Fire Flower, a Mushroom, a Flagpole, a Koopa Shell, a Cannon (or rather a Bill Blaster), a ? Block, a Brick Block, and a Coin. There is a wallpaper called "Mushroom Mural" which is an exact replica of the backdrop of the first level in Super Mario Bros., and a carpet called "Block Flooring" which is identical to the ground tiles.
 * There are four Mario-related shirts: the "big bro's shirt", a red shirt with Mario's trademark "M"; the "lil' bro's shirt", a green shirt with Luigi's "L"; the "turnip shirt", on which a pattern resembling vegetables appears, and the "toad shirt", which is a red shirt with Toad spots; for some reason, the name in-game incorrectly spells "Toad" with a lowercase "t".
 * Alfonso the crocodile sports the big bro's shirt, and his initial catchphrase is "It's-a me." Additionally, one of the gorillas, Louie, greatly resembles Donkey Kong and wears the lil' bro's shirt.
 * If the player sends Bob the code on his e-card, he will write back in a letter claiming he had a dream of the player running around an island with a water pump on their back, a reference to Super Mario Sunshine.
 * K.K. Slider's song, K.K. Country, is a cover of Choco Mountain from Mario Kart 64. The song is also present in all subsequent games.

Dōbutsu no Mori e+ (GCN)

 * The Egg Town Decoration resembles a Yoshi Egg.

Animal Crossing: Wild World (DS)

 * The furniture pieces from the original Animal Crossing are available once more, with some new ones added in. However, this time they must be received from Nintendo through letters obtained over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.
 * Occasionally when players open up villagers' bureaus, dressers, etc., the message that pops up reads "What are Luigi's clothes doing in here?!"
 * The four shirts from the original return. The hats and mustaches are also in the game.
 * The "Super Mario Bros. 3 Paper" is first in this game, with a background resembling the title screen for Super Mario Bros. 3.
 * The Arcade Machine first appears in this game, featuring a fighting game with characters resembling Mario and Luigi.

Animal Crossing: City Folk (Wii)

 * One of the items, the Arcade Machine, has a game resembling a fighting game with Mario and Luigi. The Pinball Machine also features what appears to be the artwork for the original Super Mario Bros. on the screen and artwork of Mario on the table itself. Another item is the Tabletop Game, which looks like a side scrolling shooter; however, the ground appears to be from the original Super Mario Bros. as well.
 * A Banana, Triple Shells, a Yoshi's Egg, a "Bad Bro Mustache" (an accessory that looks like Wario's nose and mustache), a Toad Hat, a Peach Parasol, a Wario Hat, and a Kart (taking the appearance of Mario's Standard Kart from Mario Kart Wii) can all be purchased from the Tom Nook Point System.
 * All the Mario-related items from the original Animal Crossing appear in this game, but instead of using a code to obtain them, the player must shoot down a floating present with a slingshot and open it.
 * If the player finds bags of Bells from a rock using a shovel, the "Extra life" tune from Super Mario Bros. will play for every bag found.
 * If Wendell is given a Red Turnip or a White Turnip, the player gets a ? Block or Brick Block pattern respectively.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf (3DS)

 * After waking up Guliver on the beach, he may ask the player if he is in the Overthere. If the player chooses to help him, he may say, "Oh, thanks! I haven't met someone so willing to help a total stranger since the residents of Ricco Harbor!" . He may also say, "You mean it?! I haven't met such a noble skipper since old Bobbery of Rogueport! Not even close!" In addition, he may also say how he was glad when he was once washed up on Isle Delfino.
 * When Gulliver describes his destination as Easter Island, one of the options to choose is Yoshi's Island.
 * Mario and Luigi hats and shirts and a Wario hat can be bought at the Able Sisters shop. The first six notes of the Super Mario Bros. theme plays when one of these are put on.
 * Just like in Animal Crossing: City Folk, revealing bags of Bells from a rock plays the Extra life tune from Super Mario Bros.
 * In the Dream Suite, sometimes when the player falls asleep, a soft version of the Super Mario Bros. theme will play.
 * On the official website, there are QR Codes for designs which players can scan using the sewing machine to receive special clothes in-game; two of these designs are Princess Peach and Princess Daisy's dresses.
 * There is a pinball machine that has artwork from Super Mario Bros.. It can be bought along with the arcade machine from the last game.
 * Sometimes, villagers might say they have a game about "a guy in green overalls with a vacuum cleaner", a reference to Luigi's appearance in Luigi's Mansion and its sequel.
 * The tabletop game looks like Donkey Kong 3 as it was shown on a poster.
 * "SMB3 paper" (used to write letters) can be bought at Timmy and Tommy's store, which has a background similar to that of the title screen from Super Mario Bros. 3.
 * The fortune cookies from Timmy and Tommy's store contain lucky tickets, which can be traded in for Nintendo-related items, including items from the Mario series. Besides the carpet and wallpaper, all the 8-bit items from previous Animal Crossing games have changed into their modern designs, specifically those seen in Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7. 22 of the lucky tickets are references to the Mario series, more specifically to either Super Mario or Mario Kart:

Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer (3DS)

 * Some of the Mario-related items in the previous game are reused as items for their homes in this game including the Super Star and the Super Mushroom.
 * Gulliver again makes a Mario reference in one conversation, where he mentions having been washed up on the shore of Wuhu Island, and goes on to bring up its appearance in Mario Kart 7, recalling karts nearly running him down.
 * Louie appears in this game through SpotPass, where his vision is "A 30th-anniversary party!", referencing the 30th anniversary of Super Mario Bros.

Kirby Super Star (SNES) / Kirby Super Star Ultra (DS)

 * Mario, Toad, Luigi, Birdo, Bowser, and Princess Peach, as well as Wario in the DS remake, are in the audience of the Megaton Punch Contest and the King Dedede battle in "Spring Breeze" along with several 1-Up mushrooms. Bowser and Peach are only visible in Spring Breeze, and are hidden off-screen (though Peach is still partially visible). In the remake, Peach is moved to a more visible position in the audience.
 * A picture of Mario appears in the credits of "Milky Way Wishes" and, in the remake, "Revenge of the King".
 * Several of the items in "The Great Cave Offensive", such as the "Koopa Shell", "Bucket", "Phanto Mask" and the DK Barrel are from Mario games.
 * When Kirby activates his Stone ability he will (very rarely) turn into a gold statue of Mario. The statue also appears in the credits for Revenge of the King in Kirby Super Star Ultra.
 * In the remake, Kaboola, now known as Kabula, has now a Bullet Bill-like appearance. One of Kabula's special attacks involves shooting giant Bullet Bill-like missiles at Kirby.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe (Nintendo 3DS)

 * One of the possible forms of Stone Kirby is a Brick Block.
 * One of the possible moves Wheel Kirby can perform is the Rocket Start, which refers to the boost in the Mario Kart series when the race begins.

Kirby: Planet Robobot (Nintendo 3DS)

 * The Brick Block and Gold Mario statue are some of the forms that Stone Kirby and Smash Bros. Kirby can use.
 * The Wheel ability includes the Rocket Start, which refers to the starting boost in the Mario Kart series.
 * The Doctor ability is based off of Dr. Mario in the Super Smash Bros. series.

Pikmin (GCN)

 * Part of the concept of Pikmin was based on the Mario tech demo Super Mario 128.
 * Captain Olimar's original Japanese name is an anagram of Mario. (Orima = Mario)
 * Unused models show a giant form of Mario and a model entitled "Kuribo", the Japanese name for Goomba. The model is the planned Goomba design for Super Mario Sunshine suggesting an appearance was planned but later scrapped.
 * There are also unused models for a key and a door, thought to be from the Super Mario 128 stage of development.

Pikmin 2 (GCN)

 * A picture of Bowser appears on the Flame of Tomorrow (a matchbox), accompanied by caption "Bowser Breath Brand".
 * The Key resembles the secret exit key found in Super Mario World.
 * Pokos resemble coins from the Mario series.
 * One of the game's treasures, the Decorative Goo, is a used tube of blue paint with the brand name "Mario Paints", a reference to Mario Paint, and another treasure, the Master's Instrument, is a stick of peach pink pastel of the same brand.
 * The Unspeakable Wonder resembles Princess Peach's Crown.
 * The name of the character Louie uses the first two syllables of Luigi's name, just as Olimar's name was derived from Mario's name.

Pikmin 3 (Wii U)

 * In the Twilight River area, a giant Warp Pipe can be entered via lily pad that enters into a different section of the map.
 * In the opening cutscene, when the S.S. Drake departs from Koppai, Mario's walking sound effect from Mario Bros. can be heard.

Pikmin Short Movies (Wii U,3DS)

 * In the movie "Occupational Hazards", in the scene where the Pikmin are seen inside some tubes, among them is a green tube resembling a Warp Pipe spitting out coins, complete with sound effects from Super Mario Bros.. A red Pikmin is then seen poking out from inside the tube, with dust formed on its face resembling Mario's hat and moustache. When the Pikmin jumps out, the first seven notes of the Super Mario Bros. theme can be heard.

Punch-Out!! (Arcade)

 * In the audience, the player can see Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong, and Donkey Kong Jr. This is one of the first games to feature Luigi, Donkey Kong, and Donkey Kong Jr. as cameos.

Punch-Out!!/Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! (NES)

 * Mario acts as the in-ring referee during the gameplay of the game.

Super Punch-Out!! (SNES)

 * Names such as Mario, Luigi, Wario and Peach are present in the scoreboards.

Punch-Out!! (Wii)

 * Donkey Kong appears in the game's Last Stand mode. He can then be fought anytime in the Exhibition mode.
 * Donkey Kong can also be seen in the audience sometimes when fighting anyone other than him.
 * Princess Peach was planned to appear in this game but the idea was scrapped due to concerns about violence towards women. Mario was also going to reprise his role as referee, but the developers didn't think he would fit well with the game's art style.
 * King Hippo's underwear has Super Stars on it.

The Legend of Zelda (NES)

 * According to the Japanese manual for the game, the boss Manhandla is actually a massive Piranha Plant.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)

 * Some of the houses in the Light World village have paintings of Mario in them. If Link pulls on the painting, Rupees will come out.
 * Chain Chomps appear as enemies in the Turtle Rock dungeon.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (GB)

 * Tarin resembles Mario. He even transforms into a raccoon by eating a mushroom, as Mario transforms into Raccoon Mario by using a Super Leaf. Likewise, the Cuccoo keeper resembles Luigi.
 * There are many enemies from the Mario series, though some of them were named differently in the English translation. There are Goombas, Piranha Plants, Podoboos, Cheep-Cheeps, Bloopers (called "Bloobers," their original name), Thwomps, Pokeys, Boos (called Boo Buddies), and Shy Guys (Called Mask-Mimics). Also the Bombite enemy bears a striking resemblance to Bob-omb.
 * A Yoshi Doll is found at the Trendy Game shop in Mabe Village. Link can win the Yoshi Doll by controlling the crane and hovering over it. When the doll is received, the text box states that it has appeared in many games recently, another reference to the Mario games.
 * The character Wart reappears in this game under his original Japanese name Mamu and acts as an ally to Link by teaching him the Frog's Song of Soul.
 * When Mr. Write shows the player the picture sent to him by Christine, a goat living in Animal Village, the picture of "Christine" is actually one of Princess Peach.
 * BowWow, known in the Mario series as a Chain Chomp is featured in the game and 'befriends' Link as it actually helps him access one of the dungeons.
 * A cave in the second dungeon is made to resemble World 1-2 of Super Mario Bros., with Piranha Plants coming out of what appear to be real pipes and Goombas walking side to side. Unlike most enemies, Goombas are stompable, just like in Mario games.
 * The egg of the Wind Fish, seen on the title screen as well as in the game, heavily resembles a Yoshi egg.

Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon (CD-i)

 * The beginning portion of the Shrine of Gamelon is structured similar to 25m from Donkey Kong, as flaming wheels called Phyrandaii (replacing barrels) roll down a series of slopes while Zelda uses ladders to ascend.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)

 * Lon Lon Ranch worker Ingo and owner Talon both look like the Mario Bros. Ingo, Talon, and Malon all wear necklaces with Bowser's head on it. Talon's sleeping pose is also very similar to Mario's from Super Mario 64.
 * In the area where Zelda usually stands in the Hyrule Castle courtyard there is a window on the right. If viewed at a different angles, pictures of Yoshi, Princess Peach, Mario, Bowser, and Luigi can be seen. The artwork of Mario is from Super Mario 64, the artworks of Peach, Luigi and Bowser are from Mario Kart 64 while the image of Yoshi appears to use his sprite from Yoshi's Story.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (3DS)

 * The pictures of the Mario characters seen in one of the windows of Hyrule Castle courtyard were changed from the original, instead showing the background of World 1 from New Super Mario Bros..
 * Like in the original, Ingo and Talon both look like the Mario Bros; Ingo, Talon, and Malon all wear necklaces with Bowser's head on it and Talon's sleeping pose is still similar to Mario's from Super Mario 64.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (N64)

 * A Mario mask is on the back on the Happy Mask Salesman's backpack, but it is not wearable.
 * Romani and Cremia, like Malon and Talon, wear Bowser necklaces, due to them reusing Malon's child and adult models.
 * When the music house in Ikana Canyon is playing music again it resembles the Merry-Go-Round music from Big Boo's Haunt from Super Mario 64.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (GBC)

 * In a linked game, there is a part where Link has to rescue Zelda from Vire, in a mini-game resembling Donkey Kong.
 * Like in Link's Awakening, Thwomps appear as enemies.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons (GBC)

 * The artwork for Talon strongly resembles Mario. His hat for this game has an "M" on it in the same style as Mario's, and like in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time he is given a necklace depicting Bowser's face.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords (GBA/DSi)

 * Chain Chomps appear as an item.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GCN/Wii U)

 * Armos Knights have noses and mustaches resembling Wario's.
 * There are multiple test rooms in this game accessible via an action replay device. These rooms use assets from Super Mario Sunshine, most notably the very similar semi-transparent water effects that could suggest the ocean was originally intended to be see-through.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (GCN)

 * In various platforming stages, Thwomps appear.

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (GBA)

 * Lakitus appear as enemies who throw lightning bolts at Link, then disappear into their clouds.
 * Bob-omb is also found in this game, and if struck with the player's sword, will scurry around and then explode. A second hit will cause it to stop and then explode.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (GCN/Wii)

 * Fyer, who operates the cannon at Lake Hylia, has a Bullet Bill on his sleeve.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)

 * Gratitude Crystals strongly resemble Star Bits from Super Mario Galaxy, both of which are based off a popular Japanese candy called konpeitō.

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (DS)

 * One of the themes played while traveling via train greatly resembles that of the Ghost Houses in Super Mario World.
 * Star Fragments, like Gratitude Crystals from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, resemble Star Bits from Super Mario Galaxy and are based on the Japanese candy konpeitō.

Hyrule Warriors (Wii U)

 * A Chain Chomp, which previously made a cameo appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, appears as the Ball and Chain included with Link's level 3 Guantlets, the Power Gloves.

The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (3DS)

 * The Fire Gloves, introduced in this game, allow players to throw fireballs, which function similar to those from the Mario series and use the same sound effects from Super Mario Bros..
 * The Hammerwear outfit is designed after the appearance of a Hammer Bro.
 * If blue Link or red Link wear the Hammerwear, it resembles a Boomerang Bro or Fire Bro respectively.
 * One of the obtainable materials is called the Crimson Shell. Its description reads "A mysterious shell that never misses a foe when thrown.", a reference to the Red Shell item from the Mario Kart series.

Densetsu no Stafy 3 (GBA)

 * Wario appears in this game and teaches Starfy an enhanced version of the 'Shooting Star' ability. Multiple elements from Wario Land 4 appear in this game, including the switch, a vortex, four Pyramid Jewels resembling the ones found in Sapphire Passage (simply referred to as "Jewels" in this game) and three transformation of Wario; Bubble Wario, Flaming Wario and Puffy Wario.

Densetsu no Stafy 4 (DS)

 * One of the collectible costumes for Starfy and Starly is based on Princess Peach. It is called "Princess and Umbrella" (Japanese: おひめさまとカサ) and was a winning design from the Wanted Kisekae contest. When Starfy or Starly wear it they also hold Perry, the magic talking parasol from Super Princess Peach.

Wii Fit (Wii)

 * Along the Free Run island, 8-Bit sprites of Mario and Luigi can be spotted. On a few occasions, a Goomba, Koopa Troopa, Mushroom, or Super Star sprite may also appear along the side of the trail. These sprites have a purpose, because at the end, one of the many questions asked can be which sprite the player spotted.

Wii Fit U (Wii U)

 * Just like Wii Fit, 8-Bit sprites of Mario, a Goomba, and a Mushroom can be spotted along the Free Run island.

Wii Music (Wii)

 * The Super Mario Bros. theme is unlocked after one has cleared the first four levels of Pitch Perfect, simply called Super Mario Bros..

Wii Party (Wii)

 * In the minigames section accessed from the main menu, one of the minigames under the Challenge subsection is called "Clover Hunt." This is a minigame in which players must locate a certain number of objects that are slightly different from the rest shown on the screen. The directions for the game state that "If you reach the last set, you might see a familiar face!" If the player reaches Stage 26 through Stage 30 (there are only 30 Stages in all and there are six different sets of objects that comprise five stages each, so this is the last set), the object they are given to find is 8-Bit Mario from Super Mario Bros.. They must find the required number of 8-Bit Mario's that are standing still, all of which are hidden amongst multiple 8-Bit Mario's in a jumping position.
 * The mall seen in "Shifty Gifts" resembles Peach's castle.

Wii Party U (Wii U)

 * In the Mii Fashion Plaza TV Party, Miis can dress up like Mario (Male) or Princess Peach (Female).
 * In the Mii Fashion Plaza TV Party, there are a few stores that are Mario-themed.
 * In Mad Hatters, players can choose to wear Mario's Cap, giving two points if no one else is wearing it.
 * In "Dance with Mii", the player can dance to the Super Mario Bros. Ground Theme.

Wii Sports Resort (Wii)

 * The countdown timer used at the start of the racing events sounds pretty much like the one used during the Mario Kart series. In particular, the Cycling event's timer sounds is almost identical to the one used in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.
 * In the Island Flyover event, one can hear the Super Mario Bros. overworld theme, the "Lose a Life" and the "Game Over" tunes (also as reference to the place's nighttime description: "Sounds like someone's playing NES, but they need a few pointers...") by flying near the Hillside Cabins area.
 * The name of the ship "The Queen Peach" is based on Princess Peach.
 * The track Wuhu Loop from Mario Kart 7 imitates the first track, Wuhu Island Loop. Maka Wuhu and Wuhu Town also are on Wuhu Island.
 * When playing the island flyover at night, the information of the mysterious ancient ruins (PAL version) states that skeletons were found in a pit along with shells, possibly referring to Dry Bones. Also, in the same time of the day, while going to the entrance of the ruins (Also PAL version), the player will read that "Eerie" can be heard singing. This might allude to the enemy, although a wolf is heard howling and it is possible that the wolf may be named Eerie.