Zelda References in Pop Culture!! Rick & Morty, South Park, The Goldbergs + MORE! | The Leaderboard

[@stevemanart]

There's an old interview with Robin out there that makes the Zelda Williams reference even more heartwarming. The reason why he loves the Zelda franchise so much that he named his daughter after it's princess? The Legend of Zelda (NES) saved his life. He'd overdosed on drugs, and instead of sleeping which would have likely killed him, he had his wife get him a videogame to play. Which he did for hours.

[@HolleWalle]

aww that's cute and sad

[@aryasecretabsolu665]

Really ? Aww that's so cool but also sad

[@They_are_Arthur]

"8 hours is nothing." -Zelda Williams True words.

[@ShiroCh_ID]

me who play PSO2 for 10 hours minecraft for god knows how many hours straight and BOTW for 3 hours because dont know what to do yeah its nothing

[@mantic5423]

"8 hours is nothing." Your dam right

[@lillialuna8651]

Since I'm in high school, sometimes I game for 10 hours straight on my weekends. It's really not that difficult, although you do have to grab a few snacks and get up to use the bathroom and stuff, so it's not really 10 hours straight, just a combined total of 10 hours.

[@IAmHermaeusMora]

Yeah, really not hard when most people usually spend 12-16 hours in a sedentary position.

[@bacca4813]

It's sad how true this is.

[@santiagobustos8065]

Jade Quinn .

[@blackclover8933]

This is what I call evolution

[@vuppet5684]

Legend of Zelda is a game series of god

[@demokosonofazathoth2555]

ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY GOLDEN GODDESSES

[@mommywhattimeisit2172]

Vsauce Puppet

[@ggt47]

Vsauce Puppet ...yes...

[@_mariomz]

Vsauce Puppet it's not of god, it's of zelda

[@mrravioli8963]

Not true but it's good

[@tylermai1436]

Who is link? Are you talking about the green capped dude? His name is Zelda and he saves the princess peach. Don't know why people keep mistaking him for this "link" person

[@ravenstrongwinds6777]

Tyler Mai uh.....Dude..... The green capped guy IS called Link. Link saves Princess Zelda. Peach on the other hand is saved by a short chubby Italian plumber called Mario. Don't believe me? Look it up on the internet.

[@joynied5052]

Raven Strong-winds I think it's sarcasm

[@rebeccamarcott371]

Raven Strongwinds joke going over your head gif inserted here

[@cbut_1727]

Raven Strongwinds goddamn

[@mel_m32]

Raven Strongwinds I take it that you don’t get their reference

[@deetheythem925]

What Zelda character are you 1.zelda 2.link 3.epona 4.navi 5.old man 6.skull kid 7.happy mask seller 8.sidon 9.mipha 0.goron (you pick the goron

[@notyepdranel961]

0. Darmani, he's underrated

[@dinko9860]

Navi

[@itsricky361]

LINK, BUT MINUS THE GIRLFRIEND AND THE GREEN!!!!

[@captain_velocity]

Despacito 3

[@CJ-lm2zb]

11.the groose is loose

[@MrDisembodiedVoice]

Oh great. Now I'm reminded Robin Williams is dead. Literally crying.

[@laniel9007]

Alteise literally? Omg sad, honestly shaking, omg

[@anthecreator7323]

Alteise r.i.p. Robin Williams

[@liloreo2871]

No you're not

[@MrDisembodiedVoice]

Yes, I really did. After my mom died 5 years ago I can't handle emotions well. When I'm really excited? Tears. Happy? Tears. Watching an action scene and I'm hype af? Tears.

[@lucaslayton3974]

Alteise go to a shrink.

[@anythingagency8516]

there's difference between a reference and a parody. smosh definitely doesn't count.

[@Pckdch]

What you expected from a list that starts with South Park?

[@RedSeraph_]

I think adding south park to the list made sense to them since the references were somewhat quick and subtle, smosh on the other hand was literally a ZELDA PARODY which boggles my mind on who and why would they add it to this list?

[@brynnpower]

Legend of Rick, Morty of the Wild

[@thekingofthefat6424]

That sounds like the title for a real episode of Rick and Morty

[@TheLeaderboard]

Did we miss any major references or do you agree with our list? Sound off in comments below and don’t forget to tell us which game you want us to cover next!! You can continue the conversation with us on Discord (The Leaderboard Fam): discord.gg/ddnfPwH

[@legendaryhero132]

You forgot the Season 3 intro of Rick and Morty where you see Rick shopping for Mortys and the Morty that he wants has Link's master sword.

[@goodapollo90]

The Leaderboard there was music references in Scott Pilgrim Saves The World

[@kingdomkeycrafter]

The Leaderboard Don't forget Mabel's Grappling Hook! It's so obvious that when she pulls it out of the box, it resembles when Link gets a new item from a treasure chest

[@nourshokr3291]

Zelda References in My little pony There is pony wearing link hat and he's carrying a wagon full of rupees

[@franciscosotovillegas4480]

kingdomkeycrafter And Dipper with Sword and shield vs The Summerween trickster. Is like The final Battle un _Ocarina Of Time_

[@serenawolff3298]

Well excuse me princess

[@NickRickTheOnionling]

Well exuuuuuuuuse me princess *

[@tyler4068]

Well excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuusssseeee me princess*

[@NickRickTheOnionling]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ_dpWWca7lsobc

[@legendarylink4914]

Nick Rick you spelled it wrong

[@themaczter9024]

Well, excuuuuuuuuse me, princess!*

[@IofSheikah]

In the Rick and Morty season 3 intro he's at a store with a bunch of Mortys with weapons. He grabs the one with a master sword

[@chaoticfox2504]

its true but i dont think it was intended to refrence it though but they are very smilar and its in the theme song so maybe

[@briannahebert295]

There's also an episode literally titled a "Rick between worlds" That cannot be coincidence.

[@elijahgames192]

R.I.P robin Williams

[@user-rv9ds8iw6g]

Even tho Breat of The Wild is an amazing game.. Twilight Princess will always be my favorite.

[@xboxpenguin8705]

me too!!!

[@MaddietheWitch0]

Kek ocarina of Time or breath of the wild for me

[@ggt47]

Kek Really?

[@user-rv9ds8iw6g]

warren byrne Yup. I love that game a litte more then Breath of the Wild.

[@HolleWalle]

Oh dear, you're about to get burned alive lol. I find that everyone's favorite video game is not because of the game but because of the memories you attached to it. I know that game's not the best but it's my favorite because it's the first one I bet, I later played WW and it was much more fun and challenging but it wasn't my favorite cause nothing beats the first one you beat.

[@LoboMeiji]

the reference in Scott Pilgrim vs the world was cool

[@CapnShades]

I thought the whole thing was a reference.

[@tcrpgfan]

Naw, just the musical cue used at the start.

[@phelixz6955]

We don't give navi enough credit. She was the first ever legend of zelda charecter to be voiced!

[@streled5361]

Smosh and Robot Chicken don't count, both are clearly parodying the Legend of Zelda. They're *NOT* referencing LoZ.

[@rebeccamarcott371]

Stre Led who cares, they have zelda

[@themaczter9024]

Rebecca Marcott - It is not correct.

[@BlueMooshroom]

Too bad Robin Williams could never play BotW

[@juicynugget]

Man, he wouldve loved it

[@qilinit]

Thats sad....

[@niahoad]

I am sure he can, wherever he is now

[@Buggysuarus]

you forgot a reference in the stick of truth ( south park) Kenny looks like a Kennyified Zelda literally

[@zucc9944]

I'm unnecessarily frustrated. It's MUH-jor-uh, not MAY-jor-uh.

[@SethroAloysius]

That was nagging at me too

[@PytD]

Only reason I went into the comment section to see if I was the only one.

[@RAMB0X35]

MUH-jor-uh is how I say it

[@slothic1576]

crap its the grammer police run!!!!!

[@SethroAloysius]

slothic157 please, we're the pronunciation police. Much more elitist than a grammar police.

[@swapado]

Another reference should've been Starbomb! If you included Smosh, why not Starbomb???

[@sak5297]

GODDAMNIT OLD MAN!!!

[@forcebreak-k7y]

I know I wear a tunic but I'm not in to men

[@sleepdeep305]

DementedGoldfish Are you talking about Starbomb or Smosh?

[@Euphxria.mxurning]

That's right the hero of rhyme

[@thomasgoodman7306]

now grab your destiny if you know what i mean

[@dive.cats-]

You forgot about in Family Guy Road to India, Stevie and Brian were trying to raise money by removing tapeworms, and the price for the removal was 600 rupees

[@ChristyTina22]

I liked the Teen Titans Go parody, "Video Game References." The whole chicken/bottle thing was too much. "Cuckolacka!"

[@JJLarge]

Christy Tina haha yeah only good episode (apart from the night begins to shine)

[@ChristyTina22]

+Dr Death 3805 Agreed!

[@omnilax946]

Christy Tina sure....

[@Wolflink-fq9yt]

Christy Tina it was funny but it bothered me that the Zelda main theme wasn't playing in the background

[@CapnShades]

I think there a a few fun episodes like that. There's the Oregon Trail one, for instance. It's a one-to-one recreation of the classic computer game. But what do I know, I recognize the series as trash and love it anyway. :P

[@MaximG.]

How about Link's cameo in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic? A stallion with Epona's color scheme, green cap, a heart container cutiemark and cart filled with rupees.

[@capitol._reef362]

I have some terrible news. You have bug eyes.

[@somerandomidioticnerd9769]

Ryan Clay XD

[@jakecross6212]

Ryan Clay they're destroying the whole town!

[@WindyREDPanda]

Ryan Clay Kamen Rider?

[@tisaacs4487]

This again?

[@mrgoldtaco9438]

Ryan Clay Janine, sorry about the bug eyes. Few might get the reference.

[@MdudeCY]

There's a reference on Steven Universe. Steven has a Game Cube with a copy of Wind Waker.

[@Omnipharius]

in the imaginationland episode of south park, Ganondorf also makes an appearance. i was surprised yall didn't catch that. lol

[@durpddurke4633]

You forgot in Gumball he also made the DA DA DA DAAAAA!!!! sound whenever you open a chest, don't remember the episode though.

[@5Geass]

Yep, when he got Zelmore. The Gumball world equivalent of Zelda.

[@noodles9003]

I saw a cat version of link in one episode

[@ramblecampbell]

Well then, I guess you could say Robin Williams' daughter is a real Legend of Zelda... Get it? 'Cause her name is Zelda and she got eight hours on a live stream?...Get it? ... Okay then...I'll just be leaving now...

[@linksaya]

"From Nintendo's Hylianfluencial Legend of Zelda series."

[@Urbosa_is_hot]

I love the Smosh rap, all of them..... if only Anthony was still there 😭

[@trick2jee]

he’s back!

[@themimsy]

Ahhh seeing Robin Williams play Skyward Sword just reminds me how it really hasn’t been that long.

[@azazelreeds]

Wait a minute...on the Goldbergs reference I just have to point out you could save LoZ. It was the first video game ever that saving was possible

[@joshmonaco6170]

I had that same thought

[@DarkusObscurius]

Zelda Williams and what she did for the memory of her father was awesomelly touching!

[@cinemasean2098]

Ha. I saw that pun at the start... HYLIAN-spirational! That's good

[@yvngx4496]

My favorite KZbinr is zeldamaster

[@axellion9951]

Does no one realized that the NES cartridge in the opening to (the same scene with the ghostbusters reference) is actually the NES Legend of Zelda because the cartridge is gold.

[@stickyninja3]

You forgot terraria, the hero set of vanity

[@HeyImNicku]

Steven universe, the sword obsidian holds is a reference to the fire sword from breath of the wild

[@sonnyboytantv]

In season 2 of Amazing World of Gumball, in the episode The Treasure, when Anais opens a wall to find a hidden chest, the Zelda sound when you discover a secret opening plays.

[@andrewwesterholm825]

0:05, I don't know if the pun was intentional ,but when I heard "highly influential", I heard "hylian-fluential"

[@stressedcatinabox]

The toy morty in the season 3 theme song that Rick picks up has the Master sword!

[@Zamuel7]

How in the hell is "It's a secret to everybody" a reference that only diehard fans would know? This is not obscure, it's a meme.

[@niltiak]

I was so happy Zelda Williams was number one. Here I was thinking she wouldn’t be on the list. 🙂

[@dhazedxz007]

“Legend of Zelda?! F**k that, Legend of LINK!” - SMOSH 😂

[@taylorphelps3724]

Link is not an elf, he's a hylian

[@chaoticfox2504]

tis true

[@SleepyAdam]

"Rick and Morty, South Park, and The Goldbergs" You have my attention. I like all three of those shows.

[@konoyuchilan971]

Best name ever. I'm gonna name my kid Darkrai.

[@mattdoherty6605]

in gumball there's one more when they discovery something in there attic the Zelda solve a puzzle music plays

[@leafkirby2]

4:06 rick says "nintendo send me free stuff" at the end of that, and someone who worked for nintendo did in fact send them free stuff

[@themaczter9024]

0:06 When he said “highly influential,” I thought he said “Hylian” at first

[@TheChaotix17]

Another South Park one, in the episode about Playstation vs. X-Box, Kenny's dress is based on the one Zelda wears in Twilight Princess.

[@eonjetpretzel5901]

Turned into a wolf huh? TWILIGHT PRINCESS MUCH!!!

[@franciscosotovillegas4480]

Also in _Gravity Falls_ , in the episode "Summerween" , when everyone attack to Summerween Trickster, Dipper uses a Sword in the left hand and a shield with Bill Cipher, very similar to Link with the Hylian Shield and the Master Sword. And also, Dipper attack to the monster of the same form to Link attack to Ganon in the Final Battle in _Ocarina Of Time_

[@PMMillard]

RIP robin. :(

[@outbackhybridgamingstudio2628]

If there was going to be a Zelda movie they should hire Zelda Williams to be Zelda. Edit: And no god dang female link! Why do people want Link to be female if there was going to be a Zelda movie. Link is a freaking boy.

[@Wolflink-fq9yt]

Ikr

[@chris_wizzudz]

People who want Link to be female still believe he’s just an avatar for the player to project themselves onto, when in reality Link has become an established character in Zelda and a major icon in the gaming industry.

[@juicynugget]

Why not? Because hes a male thats why. He's a white.... Cisgender male! Hahaha... No but seriously

[@VariableZero]

Christian Puddington Not only that, but his character differs from each game. The Hero of Twilight being an inspirational figure for those he cares for and for everyone else to come. The Hero of Time being a righteous soul who will stop at nothing to make sure Hyrule is freed from a life of misery and tyranny. This carries over into his afterlife as the Hero’s Shade in Twilight Princess. And there is the Hero of the Sky who has a very personal goal in mind and is by far the most fleshed out Link. Each Link has a personality trait that people can relate too, and I think that’s what makes Link special to the series he stars in.

[@mel_m32]

Zelda is a boy and you play as him.

[@HyLion]

5:37 in the (european) portuguese version it sounds different. I think it sound more like Saria's Song.

[@TristenLawson]

glad to see people agree with me and watch JSE along with me

[@jorgejugar8693]

Its a small reference, but how could you leave out "Here lies Link" from Final Fantasy? Its my most cherished crossover of two of my favorite franchises, and rather original in its time. Might even be the first LoZ reference outside of the nintendo mainstream games. Also kinda convinced that the original concept for Geno in super mario rpg, also produced by Enix, was based on link. Hes practically a pallet swap until you get into his actual attacks.

[@angrdbonz3423]

So you put the alright smash Zelda rap in the video but not the LEGENDARY STARBOMB ONE

[@Jonathan-br6oh]

the wind waker thats one of the funniest things i have seen this month

[@biinerfiiner]

Not every link is the hero of time.

[@amylee9092]

I lost my Nintendo Switch to my drummer over a bet about Zelda Williams's name, and I was waiting for Breath of the Wild to come in and that game is his now, too! He LOVES torturing me by spoiling it! I'll get him back, he's not the only fun-type a-hole in Evanescence!

[@rebeccamarcott371]

Amy Lee man you are stupid. You bet 400 on someones name

[@Prospero19]

Wait a sec. The Powerpuff girls are three different colors. Red, blue, and green. Is it just me or does that correspond with the colors of the triforce? Sure powers are not with the right colors but still.

[@SolidShepard]

way to make me teary eyes bringing up Robbin WIlliams. lol I miss that guy.

[@remis8623]

We need to make the name "Zelda" an official

[@HolleWalle]

Ummm, that name existed before the game, and names can be anything, many game of thrones words are used now as names so there's that.

[@CapnShades]

Zelda was named after Zelda Fitzgerald, Francis Scott Fitzgerald's wife.

[@Mint-fy8qi]

It is. Way before Zelda came out

[@Citizen_Kain]

Aww, I didn't know that about Robin Williams's daughter...tbh it warms my heart but it also makes me so sad...

[@livi_bwop]

Gravity Falls also referenced LoZ in the episode Summerween during the fight scene with the monster. Dipper is dressed as Link with a shield and sword, and the shield has the shape of Bill on it which also looks like the triforce

[@TheStylishSpy]

You forgot the reference in gumball where they are searching for clues in the attack, knock something over that causes light to reflect off of various reflective surfaces before landing on a spot on the chimney, chiming the classic 'puzzle solved' sound effect.

[@hedgehoundable]

The funniest part about all of these is that the newest Link from Breath of the Wild looks disturbingly similar to Xandir from Drawn Together. Made even better by the fact that you can get an outfit that shows about as much skin as Xandir's too (The Barbarian armor, without the headpiece).

[@shylock7989]

The name Zelda wasn't always a reference to the legend of zelda. It's a real name even before the first game came out.

[@joshmonaco6170]

Yup, Miyamoto actually chose that name because of F. Scott Fitzgerald's wife, Zelda Fitzgerald. He liked her name and so he named the princess after her. However Robin Williams did in fact name his daughter after the video game princess, he said so himself

[@DillsArtThing]

Hylian-fluential

[@imperfectninja6291]

There was one in Dc Legends of Tomorrow when Ray Palmer had said that all he wanted to play in the NES was the Legend of Zelda

[@lucaslayton3974]

Coldplay's Viva la vida was partly inspired by Zelda.

[@rebeccamarcott371]

Lucas Layton ah yes, the ripped off song has zelda in it, greeaatt....I will never support anyone who steals songs.

[@__crispyyyy]

Zelda's a boy and you play as him.. According to Doom-Wiki.

[@mel_m32]

「The Spider.」 machine gun korok... is that you?

[@multibitmarco6464]

Meh i only use it when i need to try to kill myself

[@theSato]

Nice video! Hope you'll do some for other series. For example, there's a Final Fantasy 7 reference in one of the early episodes of Steven Universe - his action figure collection is shown and there's a spot-on Cloud Strife there.

[@cjr_lunn]

Within the 3rd season intro, there's a shot where rick is selecting a morty from some sized up versions of those sealed toy packets. In the scene, you can see the master sword from legend of Zelda from within a morty's pack. Take a look

[@tangentpuppet]

You missed that amazing Fairy Fountain scene in Edgar Wright's - Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World.

[@rikublaze]

In the opening to Rick and Morty season 3. when Rick is in the Morty Mart he chooses the Morty with the master sword

[@TheLeaderboard]

+NidoKing ohhh really! got to go back and watch that...thanks for the tip! - Darrian

[@p1ruku]

omg i thought i was the only one who got the majora's mask reference in gumball thank you

[@courage1363]

There is lots of Zelda reference in Teen Titans Go! in the episode Video Game References, where Starfire's segment titles Starfires Quest and her segment is entire Legend of Zelda reference.

[@bradleythorne4829]

In the Rick and Morty season 3 title sequence, a clip is shown of rick shopping for a new morty. One of the mortys in the clip has a master sword accessory.

[@AwesomeSpidey22]

Zuko and Mako was two pirates in Wind Waker. And The Last Airbender used those names. And in the squeal series Legend of Korra does Zelda William play Kuvira.

[@noelaguirrechavez4462]

There was one on HIMYM on an episode in which Marshall gets drunk and says that the ATM from which he tried to withdraw money from displayed the game at one moment

[@manueldelfin5612]

You forgot in The Black Friday Episodes in South Park, Kenny dresses up as Zelda

[@jetsetjosh4872]

This might have been said already but there is another gumball reference.In one episode, Gumball hits a brick and reveals something. When he does, the "you did a puzzle" jingle from Zelda plays. Sorry for not saying the episode though, I forgot.

[@spysappingmahinternet]

Sarah must love being the moon, lol

[@joshuagrifff]

Lol, I started Goldbergs yesterday and watched my first episode, which was the one with the Zelda reference XD

[@bacca4813]

C'mon, you can't have an episode talking about Zelda references in pop-culture and not mention terraria.

[@summerleighshaffer9095]

Thank you!!!

[@CaptainFALKEN]

Or Naruto references in BotW. Old Gerudo lady in the small camp "What a Drag..." Or the guy spying on Gerudos next to the Chissay Shrine "It's research! RESEARCH!" 😎

[@OtisMcNuttIII]

I saw a refrence in the tv series "Supergirl". In the episode "Childish Things", a person is seen dressed up as Link at the National City Toy Convention.

[@TheLeaderboard]

+Otis McNutt awesome, please share more references so we can make another one!

[@robertwilton3004]

You actually missed one from Gumball. In one episode, while Gumball is putting a game into his machine, he hums the chest opening them from Oot, followed by the classic item tune. Might be a little fuzzy on the details though.

[@Dremag_Gaming]

Forgot the ones in World of Warcraft. not only there used to be a long chain quest referencing the older games. But you would meet the WoW version of link(en).

[@noviolam2618]

"Mayjora"

[@chaoticfox2504]

6:27 my dad would do that all the time when i was playing ocarina of time i got stuck on the water temple and went to look it up and could'nt get the result i was looking for when i came back my dad was in the middle of the boss fight he also did this during the forest temple to during the boss fight i had been playing and he had a few friends over and we basically played musical chairs with it untill some one had beeten phantom gannon stuff like this would continue and he eventually beat it for me when i was grounded because he was baord his excuse was iot was part of my punisment for getting in trouble in school lmao good times

[@Mayonezboi]

Finally, someone noticed Sara in The Amazing World of Gumball!

[@rustedsora]

There is another reference to Zelda in gravity falls when Mabel get her grappling hook. The stance she's in reminds me of wind waker!

[@thegalacticengine6260]

There's another zelda reference in the amazing world of gumball in the episode called the blame blue egg starts playing a game for the first time and he's so shocked that he goes through different games in his mind. Space invaders, Tetris,

[@thegalacticengine6260]

Continuation of comment: and even the legend of zelda. Its a picture of a person with the weird green hat and tunic lifting up the kokiri sword.

[@seraphimcoast]

There's a "Link" in the description !