List of references and parodies

The following is a list of references to other media that has appeared in the Mario series. Note that references to other Mario series games are not included here nor are references made in crossover games.

Mario Bros.

 * The music that plays when the player begins Phase 1 is Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik.

All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros.

 * This game was an officially licensed hack of Super Mario Bros.. It referenced the Japanese radio program All Night Nippon by replacing certain enemies and objects with Japanese celebrities.

Super Mario Bros. 3

 * The tune the Warp Whistle plays is also found in The Legend of Zelda. The whirlwind is from the same game. The tune is later found in The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, although a bird sweeps Link away, not a whirlwind. It is also played on an ocarina, not a flute. The notes are also a part of the title theme of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Super Mario Sunshine

 * If the game is hacked to remove Il Piantissimo's mask, he has the same face of the Running Man / Postman of Termina, from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask only with darker skin.

Super Mario Galaxy

 * Enemies appear in an airship stage which resemble Deku Scrubs, a The Legend of Zelda enemy.
 * In the Rolling Gizmo Galaxy, a hidden bunch of Star Bits formed in a Rupee shape can be seen.

Super Mario 3D Land

 * In World 5-2, when Mario/Luigi opens the area that contains the second Star Medal, the Zelda "found a secret" theme is heard.
 * During the second battle with Bowser in World 8, Bowser throws Barrels, similar to Donkey Kong.

Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up

 * Link makes a cameo in the chef/waiter page.

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

 * Level 4 of the Mario Zone features LEGO-like surfaces. At one point in the level, it is revealed that these are not actually LEGOs, but N&B Blocks, a toy manufactured by Nintendo in the 1960's.
 * Level 2 of the Turtle Zone has enemies that strongly resemble gordos from the Kirby series.

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3

 * Several sound effects of this game are borrowed from Metroid II: Return of Samus, such as the pause sound effect and the sound that plays when Wario hits a boss.

Wario Land II

 * When the player has completed the game a remake of the 1980 Game & Watch game Flagman appears, called Flagman DD.
 * Some of the treasures in this game come from The Legend of Zelda series, such as the Flute, a purple Rupee, the Power Glove, and the Pegasus Boots. A Crystal Metroid also appears as a reference to the Metroid series.

Donkey Kong Country

 * This game introduced Diddy Kong, who has always appeared with his cap with the Nintendo logo on it.
 * Dixie Kongs hat also had the Rare Ltd. logo on her hat. This stayed with her until Rare was purchased by Microsoft.
 * In the Game Boy Advance version of Donkey Kong Country, Sabrewulf is stuffed and mounted in Cranky's hut, but it is still alive as it occasionally blinks.

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong's Quest

 * After the player has beaten the game, they can take part in Cranky's Video Game Heroes competition. The competition is simply whichever video game hero can collect the most coins. When the player first sees this competition the heroes already present are Mario, Yoshi and Link. A garbage can can also be seen at the competition with Sonic's shoes and Earthworm Jim's raygun, implying they failed to get enough coins in the competition.
 * Chief Thunder, a character from the fighting game Killer Instinct, makes his cameo on a poster in Cranky's Cabin.

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

 * Bazaar mentions Link in his Bazaar's General Store general store.
 * When visiting Wrinkly Kong's Save cave sometimes she'll be playing her N64 and the game she's playing is Super Mario 64. At the time, a remix of that games' castle theme is heard and anyone can also access it from the Music test menu from cheats after highlighting a game file and doing this button code: L, R, R,L,R,R, L,R,L,R.

Hotel Mario

 * All of the hotels owned by the Koopalings are puns on famous Real World hotels.
 * Some of Mario's lines reference popular culture such as "We ain't afraid of no Koopas!" (a play on the line "I ain't afraid of no ghost!" from the Ghostbusters theme song) and "Hey, you! Get off-a my cloud!" from the Rolling Stones song, "Get Off of My Cloud."

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

 * Link can be found sleeping in the Rose Town inn after beating Bowyer in the Forest Maze.
 * Samus can be found sleeping in the guest bed of Toadstool's Castle after beating Yaridovich, and before going to Land's End. When spoken to, she'll say she's resting up for Mother Brain, the end boss of the Metroid series.
 * A Samus action figure can be found in a toy box in Booster Tower.
 * Hinopio in the Barrel Volcano has models of Captain Falcon's and Samurai Goro's spacecraft, and an Arwing from the Star Fox series.
 * Several references to the Final Fantasy series, are in this game, due to the game being produced by Squaresoft.
 * Culex is an optional boss designed to resemble the Final Fantasy bosses. During and after the battle with him, Final Fantasy music is played. The music heard is a remix of the Boss Battle theme in Final Fantasy IV and after the battle, the famous Final Fantasy Victory Theme played. His Elemental Crystals are also the same as in Final Fantasy IV.
 * The enemy Bahamutt is named after the powerful dragon Bahamut from the Final Fantasy series.
 * The Czar Dragon shares its name with a superboss that does not appear in but exists within the coding for Final Fantasy VI.
 * Upon encountering Bowyer, Mario attempts to simply charge toward Bowyer, fist punching, but Mallow holds him back and exclaims, "Who do think you ARE??? Bruce Lee!?"

Yoshi's Story

 * In Stages 2-3 and 2-4, the name "Zelda" appears in the newspaper in the background.

Diddy Kong Racing

 * Timber's hat has the Rareware logo on it.

Diddy Kong Racing DS

 * Dixie Kong's hat shows a silver Rareware logo on it but only when an event happens while racing that she is shown through a box.

Super Smash Bros.

 * The Beam Sword from this game series bears a strong resembelance to the Lightsabers of the Star Wars franchise.

Mario Golf

 * In Mario Golf for the Nintendo 64, the names of various The Legend of Zelda and Star Fox characters appear on the scoreboard.

Mario Golf

 * In Mario Golf for the Game Boy Color, the last club is called "Link's Club" and uses the Triforce as its logo.

Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour

 * If the golf ball is hit and lands on a patch of flowers, several Pikmin will pop out from the ground.
 * The Coin Attack mode can spawn coins in the shape of the Triforce.

Donkey Kong 64

 * Two classic arcade games Jetpac and Donkey Kong were included as bonus features in this game.
 * In the final Boss fight of this game, Nintendo and Rareware are announced as the sponsors.
 * In the Beta version of this game Banjo and Kazooie made cameos as fridge magnets.

Mario Party series
Many of the minigames that appear in the Mario Party series have names that are puns or references to popular culture.

Mario Party 2
Many of the minigames are puns on pop culture, such as Dizzy Dancing and Magnet Carta

Mario Party 3
This game continues to have minigame titles make puns on popular culture, including:
 * Water Whirled
 * Awful Tower
 * Eatsa Pizza
 * Etch 'n' Catch
 * Three Door Monty.

Mario Party 4
More minigames are puns, they are:
 * Hop or Pop
 * Blame it on the Crane
 * Mario Speedwagons

Mario Party 5
Minigames that make puns in this game are
 * Mazed and Confused
 * Flower Shower
 * Night Light Fright
 * Coney Island
 * Merry Poppings
 * Bound of Music
 * Rain of Fire

Mario Party 6
Minigames that make puns in this game are:
 * Circuit Maximus
 * Slot Trot
 * Stamp by Me

Mario Party 7
Minigames that make puns in this game are:
 * Track & Yield
 * Ghost in the Hall
 * Big Dripper
 * Spinner Cell
 * Wheel of Woe
 * Tile and Error

Mario Party Advance

 * The non-playable character Shroomlock is an obvious reference to the fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes. He claims to be from Toadland Yard, a reference to Scotland Yard.

Paper Mario

 * The Koopa Bros. are based upon the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
 * The game's end credits sequence is an obvious parody of Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

 * In Petalburg a young Toad says he's been playing Fire Emblem.
 * Petalburg shares the name of a city in the Pokémon series.
 * In one of the trivia games, one of the choices for how to defeat the demon is a "legendary sword". This is a reference to the Master Sword from the The Legend of Zelda series.

Super Paper Mario

 * In Chapter 2-3, for knocking over a vase, Mario must pay his debt in Rubees, a reference to Rupees, the currency for the The Legend of Zelda series. (Additionally, Rubees resemble red Rupees); Mimi also attacks using this currency in Chapter 6-2. Rupees were also called Rubees in the non-canon The Legend of Zelda games for the unsuccessful Philips CD-i system.
 * One of the Dorguys has puzzles for the character to solve that are similar to those of the Brain Age series. When solving them, he also states that the players' "brain ages must be very young".
 * The Underwhere and many of its aspects and inhabitants (i.e. Underchomp to Cerberus and River Twygz to River Styx) refer to the Greek underworld mythology.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star

 * The business of Shady Toad and Sling-a-Thing Toad is implied to be illegal and secret, referencing the real-life black markets.
 * The Squirt Gun thing is clearly based on first-person shooter video-games when used in-battle.

Luigi's Mansion

 * The boxart of this game resembles the cover design of Home Alone.
 * If Luigi goes to the door to King Boo's alter before capturing the required amount of boos, a scene will show King Boo mistaking Luigi for Mario. In the scene, King Boo states that, "I will not give up my favorite decoration, I like Mario just where he is". This is a reference to the film Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, in which Jabba the Hutt states, "I will not give up my favorite decoration, I like Captain [Han] Solo just where he is". Han Solo hangs frozen in carbonite on a wall similar to Mario being trapped in King Boo's painting.

Game & Watch Gallery 4

 * This game includes The Legend of Zelda Game & Watch port.

WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!

 * Many of the minigames are brief gameplay of classic Nintendo games. They are all listed here.
 * Punch Out
 * Balloon Fight
 * Duck Hunt
 * F-Zero
 * Hogan's Alley
 * Ice Climber
 * The Legend of Zelda
 * Sheriff (There is also a similar bonus minigame called Wario's Sheriff)
 * Helmet
 * Urban Champion
 * Stack-Up
 * LazerBlazer
 * Metroid
 * Wild Gunman
 * Vermin
 * Pompeii Back makes reference to the real event that occured in 72 A.D, when Mt. Vesuvius erupted and destroyed the city of Pompeii.
 * Ultra Hand tributes the Ultra Hand, an early invention by Gunpei Yokoi.

WarioWare: Twisted!

 * 9-Volts stage continues to feature classic Nintendo games. the games featured are:
 * Tennis
 * Metroid
 * Excitebike
 * Clu Clu Land
 * Baseball
 * Ice Climber
 * Balloon Fight
 * Mach Rider
 * Kid Icarus
 * Duck Hunt
 * The Legend of Zelda
 * Ice Hockey

Wario World

 * Several Nintendo consoles appear as treasures, they are the NES, the Game Boy Advance, the Nintendo 64 and the Nintendo GameCube.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

 * Kirby and Stafy cameo on posters at the Yoshi Theater.
 * Starbeans Café is a pun on Starbucks Café.
 * Wario, Fox McCloud, Captain Olimar, Samus, an Excitebiker and Link were all going to make appearances at the café, but they were all replaced by a single appearance by Professor E. Gadd. However several of the items he gives to the Mario Bros. appear to be similar to the ones it was revealed these characters were going to give out.

Donkey Konga
The Donkey Konga series includes both famous songs and music from other Nintendo franchises. The songs are different in each reigion. All of these songs are listed here.
 * Kaze no La La La (Detective Conan opening theme)
 * Mata Aeru Hi Made (Doraemon (1979) ending theme #8)
 * Kirby! (Kirby: Right Back at Ya! opening theme #1)
 * Hamutarou tottoko Uta (Tottoko Hamutarou opening theme)
 * Advance Adventure (Pokémon Advance Generation opening theme #1)
 * The Galaxy Express 999 (Ginga Tetsudou 999 theme song)
 * Colors - Utada Hikaru
 * Momoiro Kata Omoi - Aya Matsuura
 * Ashita ga Aru sa
 * Fly High - Ayumi Hamasaki
 * Shake
 * Koi no Dance Site - Morning Musume
 * MiniMoni Janken Pyon! - Minimoni
 * Desire - Jouretsu
 * Ashita he no Tobira (Ainori opening theme)
 * Love Somebody (Odoru Daisōsasen ending theme)
 * We are the One - Bokura ha hitotsu (Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger ending theme)
 * Hyokkori Youtan Shima (theme song for the TV show of the same name)
 * Ai no Uta (Pikmin commercial theme song)
 * Legend of Stafy
 * Mori no Kumasan
 * Clarinet no Kowashichatta
 * Okina Furui Tokei
 * La Bamba
 * Mambo No. 5
 * Mas Que Nada
 * Oklahoma Mixer
 * Bingo
 * Campfire Medley
 * The Impression That I Get - The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones
 * I Think I Love You - Kaci
 * Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
 * The Legend of Zelda Theme
 * Like Wow - Leslie Carter
 * The Loco-Motion - Kylie Minogue
 * Louie Louie - The Kingsmen
 * On the Road Again - Willie Nelson
 * Oye Como Va - Santana
 * Para Los Rumberos - Tito Puente
 * Pokémon Theme
 * Right Here, Right Now - Jesus Jones
 * Rock Lobster - The B-52's
 * Rock This Town - The Stray Cats
 * Shining Star - Earth
 * Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing) - Benny Goodman
 * Stupid Cupid - Patsy Cline
 * Turkish March
 * We Will Rock You - Queen
 * What I Like About You - The Romantics
 * Whip It - Devo
 * Wild Thing - The Troggs
 * You Can't Hurry Love - The Supremes
 * Lady Marmalade - Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa and P!nk
 * Canned Heat - Jamiroquai
 * Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
 * Alright - Supergrass
 * The Loco-Motion - Kylie Minogue
 * Dancing in the Street - Martha and the Vandellas
 * Para Los Rumberos - Tito Puente
 * Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing) - Benny Goodman
 * You Can't Hurry Love - The Supremes
 * All The Small Things - blink-182
 * Oye Como Va - Santana
 * Louie Louie - The Kingsmen
 * 99 Red Balloons - Nena
 * The Impression That I Get - The Mighty
 * Busy Child - The Crystal Method
 * Tubthumping - Chumbawamba
 * I Want You Back - Jackson 5
 * Cosmic Girl - Jamiroquai
 * Richard III - Supergrass
 * Wild Thing - The Troggs
 * September - Earth
 * Back for Good - Take That
 * Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G Minor - Johannes Brahms
 * Turkish March
 * The Legend of Zelda Theme
 * The player can also change the sound the bongos make when they are hit

Donkey Konga 2
More songs from both popular culture and other Nintendo games.
 * Yeah! Me-cha Holiday - Aya Matsuura
 * Go Girl ~ Koi no Victory - Morning Musume
 * Zenbu Dakishimete
 * Secret Base ~ Kimi ga Kureta Mono
 * Dynamite
 * Over Drive
 * Wai ni Natte Odorou
 * Monkey Magic
 * Viva Rock (Naruto ending theme #3)
 * Realize (Mobile Suit Gundam SEED opening theme #4)
 * Hustle (Kaiketsu Zorori opening theme)
 * Danzen! Futari wa Pretty Cure (Futari wa Pretty Cure opening theme)
 * Odoru Ponpokorin (Chibi Maruko-chan ending theme #1)
 * Oshiete (Heidi, Girl of the Alps opening theme)
 * Doraemon no Uta (Doraemon (1979) opening theme)
 * Mazinger Z (Mazinger Z opening theme)
 * Sakuranbo - Ai Otsuka
 * Lucky Chachacha - Minimoni
 * Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger opening theme)
 * Tane no Uta (Pikmin 2 theme song)
 * The Legend of Zelda Theme
 * Habanera from Carmen - Georges Bizet
 * Ko-inu no Waltz
 * Yankee Doodle
 * Guantanamera
 * All Star - Smash Mouth
 * Boombastic - Shaggy
 * Born Too Slow - The Crystal Method
 * Come Clean - Hilary Duff
 * Contact - Roger Sanchez
 * Drive - Incubus
 * Full Moon - Brandy
 * Habanera from Carmen - Georges Bizet
 * Headstrong - Trapt
 * High Roller - The Crystal Method
 * Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!) - Blu Cantrell
 * I Don't Want To Know (If You Don't Want Me) - The Donnas
 * It's Been Awhile - Staind
 * La Bamba - Ritchie Valens
 * Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
 * Minute Waltz - Frédéric Chopin
 * Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye - The Nylons
 * No More Drama - Mary J. Blige
 * Pieces - Hoobastank
 * Predictable - Good Charlotte
 * Road Trip - Steriogram
 * Rock the Boat - Aaliyah
 * Send the Pain Below - Chevelle
 * Shiny Happy People - R.E.M.
 * Sidewalks - Story of the Year
 * The Anthem - Good Charlotte
 * Trepak - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
 * Trouble - P!nk
 * U Don't Have to Call - Usher
 * Unpretty - TLC
 * Why Don't We Fall in Love - Ameriie
 * Wish You Were Here - Incubus
 * All Star - Smash Mouth
 * Are You Ready For Love? - Elton John
 * Boombastic - Shaggy
 * Breakfast at Tiffany's - Deep Blue Something
 * Contact - Roger Sanchez
 * Donkey Konga 2 Theme
 * Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - Santa Esmeralda
 * Don't Let Me Get Me - P!nk
 * Drive - Incubus
 * Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
 * Enjoy the Silence - Depeche Mode
 * Green Greens
 * Havanaise
 * I'm A Slave 4 U - Britney Spears
 * I Don't Want To Know (If You Don't Want Me) - The Donnas
 * I Just Wanna Live - Good Charlotte
 * Jungle Boogie - Kool & the Gang
 * La Bamba - Ritchie Valens
 * La Cucaracha
 * Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
 * Mansize Rooster - Supergrass
 * Mute City Theme
 * Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye - The Nylons
 * Pokémon Main Theme
 * Predictable - Good Charlotte
 * Pumping on Your Stereo - Supergrass
 * Runaway Train - Soul Asylum
 * Shiny Happy People - R.E.M.
 * Sidewalks - Story of the Year
 * That's the Way (I Like It) - KC and the Sunshine Band
 * Trepak - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
 * Trouble - P!nk
 * William Tell Overture - Gioachino Rossini
 * Toon Link's face appears as a badge

Mario Kart DS

 * R.O.B. is the final unlockable character. This is first introduced non-Mario character in Mario Kart series.
 * R.O.B.s standard symbol is the D-pad from the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Mario Kart Wii

 * The kart Blue Falcon is a reference to the vehicle of the same name in the F-Zero series, driven by Captain Falcon. The two vehicles also appear physically similar.