The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Tarin

One of the first characters you meet is Marin's father, Tarin. He is loosely based on the design of Mario.

As well as general appearance, Tarin heads into the Mysterious Woods at the start of the game looking for mushrooms and is transformed into a raccoon, which may be a reference to Super Mario Bros. 3.

BowWow

In Mabe Village is a woman named Madame Meowmeow, who has a large Chain Chomp from the Mario series named BowWow tethered outside her house, as well as two smaller Chomps in her house.

In Japan, both BowWow and Chain Chomp are named "Wanwan", which is the Japanese noise for a dog barking. BowWow is a literal translation of the Japanese name.

You later rescue BowWow and use him to enter the second dungeon. One of MeowMeow's smaller BowWows is also part of this game's trading sequence.

Yoshi Doll

The first item you acquire in the trading sequence from Mabe Village's Trendy Game is the Yoshi Doll, from the character in the Mario series. When you grab it with the claw, the following message is displayed:

"You got a Yoshi Doll! Recently, he seems to be showing up in many games!"

Mr. Write

North of the Mysterious Woods is a small house where you find the letter-writing Mr. Write.

This character is based on Dr. Wright, the mayor's assistant in the Nintendo versions of Sim City, himself based on Sim City creator Will Wright. The music in Mr. Write's house is also from Sim City.

Later when you reach Animal Village you will meet a goat called Christine who also has the Sim City music in her house. When you give her the Hibiscus Flower as part of the trading sequence, she will ask you to deliver a letter to Mr. Write.

When you give the letter to Mr. Write he says that a photograph was included. But rather than a photograph of Christine as she really appears, the photo is of Princess Peach from the Mario series.

Richard's Villa

Before the third dungeon, you meet a man called Richard living in a villa near the Signpost Maze. He helps you find the Slime Key if you recover his five Golden Leaves from Kanalet Castle.

Richard is actually the rival character from Japan-only Game Boy game For the Frog the Bell Tolls. The frogs in his house and the background music are also from that game.

If you wait around in Richard's Villa for a while, the background music will stop and a strange song will play. This is Kazumi Totaka's Song – a secret easter egg hidden in nearly every game that music composer Kazumi Totaka has worked on.

Mamu's Frog Chorus

Before the seventh dungeon, you have to solve the Signpost Maze and learn the Frog's Song of Soul from Mamu and his singing frog chorus.

Mamu is actually Wart, the final boss from Super Mario Bros. 2 (and the earlier Dokidoki Panic). Mamu is Wart's original Japanese name.

Chicken Man

At the top of Tal Tal Heights is a hut where you will find the Chicken Man. This unnamed character gives you hints about the legendary chicken from Mabe Village, and eventually takes him in after you complete the seventh dungeon.

The Chicken Man is very similar to Luigi from the Mario series.

Mario Enemies

Throughout the game, particularly in the side-scrolling sections, you will find enemies that originally appeared in the Mario series:

• Goomba appears in the side-scrolling sections. If you jump on them with Roc's Feather, you are always rewarded with a heart, which is a subtle reference to how you beat them in Super Mario Bros. games.
• Shy Guy appears in several dungeons, named "Mask Mimic". He copies your every move in reverse.
• Boo is a ghost that appears in dungeons in groups. It advances on you in the dark, but runs away if you light the torches.
• Piranha Plant is nearly identical to the Mario series enemy. It comes out of pipes unless you are stood on top of the pipe. Only its head is dangerous to Link.
• Bob-omb is simply a walking bomb. There are two different kinds.
• Thwomp, or an enemy very similar to Thwomp, appears in the game. A large stone head, it only falls down when Link runs into it with the Pegasus Boots. Later, one-eyed versions appear, acting more like the Mario series enemy.
• Pokey is a moving, segmented cactus that appears in the Yarna Desert.
• Cheep-Cheep and Blooper appear in various side-scrolling underwater sections. They act the same as their Mario versions. In one area, the Cheep-Cheeps even jump out of the water to hit Link.
• In the Catfish's Maw dungeon, where you first acquire the Hookshot, there are stone heads sticking out of the wall that look a lot like Bowser.

Anti-Kirby

In the Eagle's Tower dungeon, you will find an enemy called Anti-Kirby. This pink puffball will try and suck you into its mouth.

Anti-Kirby is, of course, based on Kirby. In Japan, this enemy is simply called "Kirby".

Totaka's Song 2

As well as appearing in Richard's Villa, Kazumi Totaka's Song appears a second time in the Japanese version. If you enter your name as "Totakeke" (see screenshot) then the music will change to a remix of Totaka's Song.

This second version can also be found in the German version of Link's Awakening DX on the Game Boy Color. Simply enter your name as "MOYSE" (Claude Moyse was the German translator on the game).

A third version of Kazumi Totaka's Song has been found by ripping the soundtrack, but has not been found in the game yet. It sounds like it is played using one of the Instruments of the Sirens.