Unveiling the Hidden Connections: 10 Must-Have References in the Upcoming Zelda Game

Highlights

Tears of the Kingdom expands the lore of Hyrule and introduces new elements like the Zonai and the Sages for fans to explore in future Zelda games.

- The potential return and further exploration of the Divine Beasts is left open in Tears of the Kingdom, due to their absence.

- In future Zelda games, the introduction of the Yiga Clan and the mysterious Depths in Tears of the Kingdom presents new storytelling possibilities and challenges for players.

Following the immense success of Breath of the Wild, it was only a matter of time before a sequel was introduced. Tears of the Kingdom made its global debut on May 12, 2023, and has already achieved remarkable sales surpassing 18 million units. Not only has the BotW/TotK-verse garnered widespread admiration in the real world, but Tears of the Kingdom pushes the boundaries of its Hyrule universe.

Devoted fans of the series are already speculating on how Nintendo will surpass the accomplishments of BotW/TotK in terms of gameplay, storytelling, and characters. The Legend of Zelda games have frequently incorporated numerous nods to past installments, a trait clearly seen in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Now that these entries have contributed new lore to the franchise, one can anticipate various references and allusions from BotW/TotK in the forthcoming Zelda game.

Major spoilers for Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

1 The Zonai

Although the Zonai were briefly mentioned in Breath of the Wild, their significance truly came to light in Tears of the Kingdom. Interestingly, the first king, Rauru, is credited as the pioneer of Hyrule. This fact has sparked discussions among devoted fans, highlighting its contradiction to the events depicted in Skyward Sword.

2 The Sages

Rauru shares the same name as the Sage of Light in Ocarina of Time and also possesses the power of Light from the secret stone. However, their similarities end there, and much about the Zonai remains unknown to the fandom. Despite disrupting the widely-accepted Zelda Timeline, there is still a great deal to discover about the Zonai in the next installment of Zelda. Interestingly, it is believed that the Ancient Hero who helped seal away Calamity Ganon was a member of the Zonai. Imagine a Zelda game where the protagonist is not a Hylian, but a Zonai instead.

Sages have always played a crucial role in the iconic Legend of Zelda series, and it was no surprise that they made a triumphant return. Similar to the beloved titles Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker, the Sages in this installment turn out to be individuals whom Link has encountered during his quest. While they may not be responsible for imbuing the Master Sword with its power (as in Wind Waker) or assisting Zelda in sealing away Ganondorf (like in Ocarina of Time), they nevertheless offer their aid to Link during the epic final battle in Tears of the Kingdom.

3 Other Zora Domains

With the resurgence of the Sages, it would be fantastic if the next installment in the Legend of Zelda series embraced this trend or made subtle nods to the Sages from Tears of the Kingdom. The introduction of Yunobo, Sidon, Riju, and the promising newcomer Tulin was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback. Interestingly, Tears of the Kingdom reveals that Sidon is actually a descendant of Ruto from Ocarina of Time. Even if the Sages do not play a prominent role in the upcoming Zelda game, it would be great to see the TotK Sages referenced in a similar fashion to Ruto.

Yona's inclusion in the world of BotW/TotK garnered a range of reactions. While some fans adored her, others were disappointed by her presence. Nevertheless, Yona's character profile reveals that she is not only engaged to Sidon but also hails from a regal lineage in a distinct "Domain."

Hyrule is vast, but beyond its borders lies an undiscovered world waiting to be explored. Although it is not uncommon for different Zora Domains to exist, the game introduces the concept of a new Domain for the first time. Regrettably, apart from Yona's character profile, this intriguing idea is never further explored or referenced. Just imagine a Zelda game where Link embarks on a journey to not just one, but two Zora Domains. In accordance with Yona's design, perhaps the second Domain exists deep beneath the ocean's surface instead of along the rivers.

4 The Divine Beasts

The ancient Sheikah crafted the Divine Beasts to battle against Ganon during the war a decade ago. These powerful entities play a vital role in both the narrative and gameplay of Breath of the Wild. Consequently, it came as quite a shock to discover their scarce presence or absence altogether in Tears of the Kingdom.

5 Gloom

While it is possible that the Divine Beasts vanished with the passing of the Champions' spirits, this contradicts the true ending of Breath of the Wild. In this ending, Zelda expresses a desire to visit Zora's Domain because "Vah Ruta has stopped moving." This concept could serve as an intriguing setup for a sequel, but unfortunately, Tears of the Kingdom fails to explore it. Given the great importance placed on the Divine Beasts and the Calamity, it would be a disservice if they were not referenced in future installments. The Sheikah themselves still hold a significant potential in the Zelda universe, providing a perfect opportunity to once again reference the Divine Beasts.

In Breath of the Wild, there was a presence called Gloom, also known as Malice. However, it wasn't as ominous as it is in Tears of the Kingdom. In the sequel, this menacing red-black substance was officially named gloom. If Link unfortunately steps into this sludge, his hearts will be permanently lost. Thankfully, they can be replenished by being on the Surface or standing beneath a Lightroot. Nevertheless, gloom can create substantial problems, particularly in treacherous locations such as The Depths.

6 The Yiga Clan

While the darkness itself may not return, a similar presence could arise in the upcoming installment of the Zelda franchise. This malevolent force remains intertwined with the enigmatic figures of Ganondorf and Calamity Ganon, thereby warranting its potential resurgence as a formidable obstacle for avid players of the Legend of Zelda series. The unexpected emergence of Gloom Spawn certainly caught novice adventurers off guard during the commencement of their "Tears of the Kingdom" campaign.

The Yiga Clan was absent prior to the events of Breath of the Wild, yet they intricately intertwine with the Sheikah and Hyrule's history. Initially, they were Sheikah who had vowed allegiance to the Royal Family of Hyrule. However, when the Sheikah were banished by the Hyrulean king, some of them chose to betray the Royal Family and align themselves with Calamity Ganon. By the time Breath of the Wild unfolds, the Yiga Clan is led by an individual named Kohga.

Although the Yiga make a return in Tears of the Kingdom, their role in the plot can easily be overlooked if players discover Mineru before facing Ganondorf at Hyrule Castle. They no longer pose as much of a threat to the inhabitants of TotK compared to their prominence in BotW. However, the Yiga Clan's existence and backstory still hold potential, not to mention the possibility of Master Kohga making a comeback, as implied by his fate at the end of Tears of the Kingdom.

7 The Depths

The inclusion of the Sky Islands in Tears of the Kingdom was widely anticipated, however, The Depths managed to catch several players off guard. This distinct realm lies beneath the surface of Hyrule and is characterized by its pitch-black environment and formidable adversaries. In order to traverse The Depths, players must strategically utilize Brightbloom Seeds, activate Lightroots, or construct a Zonai device that harnesses light.

8 Dragons

The Chasms that emerged in the aftermath of The Upheaval were heavily emphasized as a pivotal element in Tears of the Kingdom, with the very chasm beneath Hyrule Castle leading directly to Ganondorf himself. While the Legend of Zelda series has ventured into the celestial realm in Skyward Sword, there has yet to be a game that delves into the profound depths equivalent to... well, The Depths.

In Breath of the Wild, Farosh, Dinraal, and Naydra made their appearances, but the game Tears of the Kingdom shed a new light on the existence of dragons. After Link discovered the identity of the Light Dragon, speculation arose among fans suggesting that the three dragons in Hyrule were possibly Zonai. It is worth noting that anyone who consumes a secret stone will undergo draconification and transform into a dragon, losing both their sense of self and memory of their past life.

Aside from Princess Zelda, the exploration of draconification in the main story or side quests is rather limited. This opens up a vast realm of untapped lore for the writers to delve into if they so desire. Despite the dragons playing a more significant role in TotK than in BotW, the identity and backstory of Naydra, Farosh, and Dinraal remain open to interpretation. Revisiting these majestic creatures and delving into their rich history could easily become a game unto itself.

9 The Triforce

Zelda's struggle to unlock her powers, which would ultimately seal away Calamity Ganon, was a central theme in Breath of the Wild. Many fans initially speculated that her abilities were linked to either the Triforce of Wisdom or even the legendary Triforce itself. However, it was only in a fleeting moment during the final battle, when Zelda seals away Calamity Ganon, that the presence of glowing triangles hints at the Triforce's involvement. Surprisingly, the Triforce is never explicitly mentioned by name, a trend that continues in Tears of the Kingdom.

Zelda is likely trying to discard old elements to make room for something new, such as secret stones. However, the absence of the iconic Triforce symbol in future Zelda games may take some time for longtime fans to adjust to. While it would be great to see a return in the next game, it's possible that future Zelda games will instead focus on exploring artifacts like the secret stones.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom can be played on the Nintendo Switch.