Nintendo Defends Decision to Cut Mario and Yoshi Easter Eggs From The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake

Nintendo has defended its decision to scrub the secret appearance of Mario characters from its The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake.

Hidden away inside Hyrule Castle, the game's original 1998 version included a wall of portraits that featured Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, and Yoshi artwork taken from Super Mario 64.

Visit the same area in Nintendo's newly-launched Switch 2 version, however, and all references to the Mushroom Kingdom have been removed. On a similar note, a selection of Zelda: Twilight Princess artwork has also been cut, having been snuck in when Ocarina of Time was re-released on 3DS.

Now, Nintendo has addressed its choice to remove these Easter eggs — and said that what was once a more "carefree" approach within Nintendo to referencing other games has been reconsidered.

"Certainly, at the time, when we put those there, I don't think anybody thought it was too big a deal," legendary Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma told Game Informer. "Maybe there was a more carefree or comfortable approach to that sort of thing.

"But looking at it now... given the overall way that we're creating this world and giving the player that form of expression, if they look up and they think, 'Why is Yoshi there?' We don't want that moment to interrupt their experience of the world in that way. So we're feeling a little bit differently about it this time."

While some fans might feel like it's a shame to see this more carefree attitude to Easter eggs is gone, it's fair to point out that Mario 64 Easter eggs (or Skyward Sword ones, for that matter) would make less sense today. Mario 64 was launched on the same platform as Ocarina of Time, of course, while Skyward Sword was released contemporaneously with the game's 3DS port. (Maybe Switch 2 just needs a new Mario game to actually arrive?)

"I do remember at the time the designers on the 3DS version were really interested in placing Easter Eggs like that throughout the game," Aonuma continued, "and the timing of the release of Skyward Sword was such that it was perfect to go ahead and include that... [But] you don't want to interrupt the player's experience by seeing something that's unrelated to what they're currently doing in the game. So for that reason, we decided not to go that way."

"No hard feelings there," commented Skyward Sword director Hidemaro Fujibayashi, who returned as a producer for this remake.

And one Mario reference does still survive via Talon — a character who is an obvious nod to Mario with his bushy moustache, plus red and blue overalls. Check out his necklace, and you'll see his golden Bowser charm remains intact, all these years later.

Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto has previously discussed the idea of the company's different franchises crossing over, and said that he wasn't a fan — except when it is Pikmin, which he wants to include wherever possible.

Earlier today, Nintendo revealed that Ocarina of Time had already shifted 5.2 million copies and become the Switch 2's fastest-selling game so far. Meanwhile, players have been having fun in-game by performing everything from Linkin Park to the Titanic theme on ocarina.

You can read our review of the game here, or check out our look at the Biggest Changes from the original 1998 game. Be sure to check out our expanding Ocarina of Time Remake Walkthrough for comprehensive guides on each main quest area and dungeon, plus where to get Early Heart Pieces, Early Gold Skulltulas, and Early Item Bag Expansions. If you’re looking for more, don’t miss our complete guides to All Pieces of Heart, All Gold Skulltulas, and All Empty Bottles!