The Unprecedented Evolution of Zelda: A Link to the Past vs Tears of the Kingdom

Highlights

A Link to the Past started a tradition of adding Mario-themed Easter eggs into Zelda games, but Tears of the Kingdom breaks away from this tradition.

Future Zelda games often incorporated Mario-inspired secrets and cameos, effectively demonstrating the significant influence of Nintendo's beloved plumber. Tears of the Kingdom serves as a testament to the flourishing autonomy of the Zelda franchise, firmly establishing Link as a protagonist of equal importance to Mario.

The release of A Link to the Past and the most recent installment, Tears of the Kingdom, shows how much the Zelda games have evolved. Unlike the earlier game, A Link to the Past, which integrated Mario-themed Easter eggs, Tears of the Kingdom marks a departure from this tradition. Link can now shine independently without the reliance on Mario's popularity.

How Zelda Games Have Evolved Since A Link to the Past

After A Link to the Past surprised fans by including a portrait of Mario and drawing inspiration from Super Mario Bros. with the Turtle Rock dungeon, many future Zelda games followed suit by incorporating Mario-inspired secrets. The Legend of Zelda series has become a global gaming phenomenon, but the presence of Mario cameos in various games highlights the enduring popularity of Nintendo's favorite plumber.

A particularly noticeable example of these cameos can be found in Ocarina of Time, where the characters Talon and Ingo are essentially Zelda-fied versions of Mario and Luigi. Whether it's a Mario mask in Majora's Mask or figurines in Link's Awakening, Zelda games are filled with references to Super Mario. However, Tears of the Kingdom proves that Link has established his own identity within Nintendo's universe. While Link has always been a beloved character, Tears of the Kingdom takes the franchise's protagonist to a whole new level.

Following the astounding success of Breath of the Wild, the anticipation for Tears of the Kingdom was tangible, and it greatly surpassed fans' expectations. Not only has it become the top choice for Game of the Year among many gamers, but it also lacks the Mario references that previous Zelda games often included. Link thrives as a protagonist in his own right, and with the immense triumph of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, he is just as integral to Nintendo as Mario. This omission of Mario references is a clear reflection of the significant evolution of Zelda games since A Link to the Past. It highlights how the franchise has truly advanced. The Legend of Zelda has firmly established itself as a series that is just as influential and critical as Super Mario.

Both The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario have revolutionized the gaming world in numerous ways, and it appears that Link has achieved the same level of recognition as Mario. While Link has always been a beloved character among gaming enthusiasts, some viewed him as secondary to Mario. However, Zelda games have grown to the extent that the two characters are now equals. Gone are the days when A Link to the Past heavily referenced Super Mario features for an entire level. The Legend of Zelda has blossomed into its own immersive universe since its inception, and Tears of the Kingdom flawlessly demonstrates this unparalleled growth.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available on Switch.