Are Zelda, Mario, and Pokémon All in the Same Universe?

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Have you ever pondered about the happenings beyond Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda or the unexplored areas outside the Mushroom Kingdom in Super Mario? Even though Pokémon games feature various regions, they may not encompass an entire planet. It’s likely that neither Hyrule nor the Mushroom Kingdom represent the whole picture either. Often, video game worlds are self-contained and disconnected from one another. However, what if these separate universes were part of a larger, interconnected fictional world? For Nintendo’s iconic franchises like The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario, this possibility might not be far-fetched at all!

There Are Clear Connections Between the Three Nintendo Franchises

If you’ve ever played the popular video game series, The Legend of Zelda, you might have spotted some delightful references to Nintendo’s other blockbuster franchise, Super Mario. For instance, in ‘A Link to the Past’, you can find an obvious image of Mario. In ‘Ocarina of Time’, there are paintings reminiscent of ‘Super Mario 64’. In the updated version, there are even recognizable green warp pipes. Characters Talon and Ingo seem to share some resemblance with Mario and Luigi. Perhaps most conspicuously, the Happy Mask Salesman in ‘Majora’s Mask’ carries a Mario mask.

In that location, another hidden Pokémon reference pops up. The salesman dons a Keaton Mask, which, while not an exact copy, strongly resembles Pikachu. Given that Majora’s Mask was launched during a time when there were just two generations of Pokémon, Pikachu remained the beloved character among fans. Interestingly, in Pokémon Red and Blue, one of the game consoles within a house bears the name “Mario”. Additionally, the music for Route 24 shares similarities with the level music from Super Mario and Wario.

These elements might simply be humorous references or “Easter eggs” because they originate from the same publishing company, but they could also hint at something more substantial. The strongest evidence suggesting that the three series take place on the same fictional planet is the shared appearance of enemies between Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda. Characters like Blooper, Boo, Bob-omb, Chain Chomp, Cheep Cheep, Goomba, Thwomp (regular, Mega, and Spiked), and Piranha Plant can be found in both franchises.

Unfortunately, it’s harder to dismiss that fact, as it seems likely Nintendo provided some assets for game development purposes, making it easier for others. However, the more intriguing theory, set within the context of each game, is that they are interconnected and all might be occurring in the same universe.

Fun Setup by Nintendo or Just Pure Coincidence?

Is it possible that Nintendo intentionally linked Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, and Super Mario, or was it a mere coincidence? It’s unlikely that Nintendo had thought about any connection between these games in the past. However, they might have planned for fans to ponder this theory. In the end, we may never have the answer, but it does seem quite probable.

It’s plausible to assume that some of the recurring enemies in Nintendo games could be a result of reusing existing assets, as demonstrated by their use of characters, models, and more from “Ocarina of Time” in the creation of “Majora’s Mask.” Given the history of asset reuse at Nintendo, it wouldn’t be surprising if they utilized pre-existing enemy assets for efficiency during game development. This practice is understandable considering that creating enemies was a more challenging task in the past compared to today.

In another interpretation, some elements aren’t justifiable as simple convenience; for instance, the Mario mask featured in “Ocarina of Time” wasn’t originally part of the game, suggesting it was deliberately and intentionally added as a nod to other series. The same applies to the Keaton Mask. Similarly, the Mario paintings in “Ocarina of Time” seem to serve a more symbolic purpose rather than to save time or economize resources.

As a passionate gamer, I find it intriguing yet frustrating that Nintendo never seems to address the interconnectivity of their game worlds. The timelines of games like The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario are so disparate, with Zelda’s timeline being as complex as a Ganon’s lair, while Mario’s timeline is barely existent.

However, it’s not impossible to imagine that Link’s struggle against Ganon, my battles with Cynthia in Sinnoh, and Mario’s constant rescue missions for Princess Peach from Bowser could be happening simultaneously or at least close by. This theory might provide an interesting explanation for Super Smash Bros., which brings together characters from various Nintendo universes. It would make the game even more immersive, knowing that these iconic figures share a common world.

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2025-09-01 22:42