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seandwalsh · 8 days

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This post's sources have been fixed! Feel free to check it out once again!

The Life Cycle of Nectar in the Pikmin World

This post contains spoilers for the entire Pikmin series.

Nectar, or “Essence of the Earth” as it’s called in Japanese, is an important but oft overlooked part of the ecology of PNF-404. It’s well known as the yellow substance that allows Pikmin leaves to instantly bloom into flowers, increasing the Pikmin's speed and strength.

“Another intriguing discovery! A local variety of grass produces a sort of yellow nectar-when the Pikmin drink this delicacy, they instantly mature into flowers! This apparent Pikmin favorite seems to be full of nutrition. Closer observation is needed to determine the strengths and peculiarities of these flower Pikmin.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

“I've noticed that when they consume nectar, a flower immediately blooms on a Pikmin's head. Yet, when they mature in the ground from a sprout, their leaf becomes a bud before a flower. Either way, the more they grow, the faster Pikmin become. That could be useful...”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

Nectar is abundant in the soil of PNF-404. It seems to be the Pikmin’s favourite (and perhaps only) form of nutrition and they can get easily distracted whenever they have the chance to eat some. In Pikmin 1, they even ignore Olimar’s commands in favour of pulling up grass in an attempt to find some Nectar to drink.

“At times, these seemingly emotionless Pikmin act with a blind urgency. For instance, the Pikmin who so tirelessly dig up grass... What could be driving them to do so? Is it merely the promise of a sweet taste of nectar? Or is it some base instinct that is beyond my capacity to understand? Will I ever know?”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

However, what’s less well known is that Nectar is also likely what the bodies of the Pikmin themselves are largely composed of. Nectar from the soil is absorbed by the Pellet Posies, a close relative of the Pikmin that grow sparsely all over the planet. As I discussed previously, Pellet Posies were likely created with intention by humans for the purpose of Pikmin production. Pellets from Pellet Posies are described as being unnatural. These plants grow incredibly quickly, usually near Onion landing sites, and produce pellets of pure, nutrient-rich, crystallised nectar. Their Pellets match the colour of the Pikmin in a given area. While any Onion can convert any colour of pellet into Pikmin seeds, if a pellet is fed to an Onion of the same colour it will produce even more Pikmin.

“The pellet cradled in its petals changes colors like some form of chameleon, aligning to match the color of nearby Pikmin. It's almost as though it's inviting us to come harvest it to make more. Even though it appears to be helping out, it's really just using us to spread its seeds!”

[Source: Dalmo, Sozorian Animal Enthusiast and researcher, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

“In the stem of the pellet posy, one can observe the muscle fiber unique to half-plant, half-animal species such as the Pikmin and candypop flowers, so the pellet posy is a species that can be considered a close relative.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 2, August 2004]

“Pellet Posies suck up nectar, the crystallised forms of which are the pellets they proudly display. And Pikmin, as you know, really love their nectar! Ha, the scamps!”

[Source: François, Oojian plant scholar and Research Task Force Recruit, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

“When harvesting Pellet Posies, I suggest you avoid the majestic roots and aim for the hard and unnatural pellet. That unwieldy, round pellet is much easier to detach if you think of it as an attack.”

[Source: François, Oojian plant scholar and Research Task Force Recruit, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

This Nectar is converted by the Onions into Pikmin seedlings. This explains why Pikmin become faster and stronger when they drink Nectar, as well as why buried Pikmin slowly mature - they may be absorbing more nectar from the soil through their roots while under the ground. Perhaps the fluid-like substance we see within the Onions discovered in Pikmin 3 is even a liquefied form of Pikmin seed, explaining how so many Pikmin can fit inside.

“I am always intrigued as to whether or not such vast numbers of Pikmin can truly sleep inside such a small Onion. What sort of vessel is it inside? Does it somehow transcend the laws of physics? Just once, I would like to have the chance to see for myself...”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

“Whenever Onions unite, I can't help but wonder how a single Onion can hold so many Pikmin. Do they shrink back into seeds for easier packing? It makes me feel funny just thinking about it.”

[Source: Alph, Koppaite Scientist and Engineer of the S.S. Drake, Playable Character in Pikmin 3, July 2013]

On the subject of Onions, Pellet Posies and Pikmin reproduction, the recently observed Lumiknolls exist in a very interesting related position. Lumiknolls and their juvenile form Tricknolls sprout at night and produce Glow Pikmin. Glow Pikmin, while resembling Pikmin in appearance and behaviour, are not technically classified as Pikmin. Lumiknolls appear at Onion landing sites, smell like Onions and are even speculated to be Onion rhizomes of some sort. It seems that Lumiknolls and Glow Pikmin, with their degradative enzymes, exist for the purpose of breaking down deceased Pikmin into Glow Pellets and returning their Nectar to the soil for Pellet Posies to absorb and crystalise, perpetuating the life cycle of the Pikmin.

“Lumiknolls will only appear in places where an Onion was located earlier in the day, and since they propagate Glow Pikmin, one could surmise that they are rhizomes from those Onions. Perhaps, using its dissolving powers, it returns the nectar that supports the ecosystem back to the soil.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

As mentioned before, it’s highly likely that the Pikmin and their relatives were created and introduced to the ecosystem by humans. After the humans were gone, the Pikmin, Onions and Pellet Posies continued to live - and it seems they caused a major shift the planet’s ecology...

As it turns out, despite Nectar being closely linked to the Pikmin, they aren’t the only ones that primarily feed on it. In fact, almost every single creature on PNF-404 gains their necessary nutrients from a source of Nectar.

“Nectar is a vital source of nutrition that most life on this planet depends on. Whether it's in the form of an egg yolk, sap, or honey, I leave up to your imagination!”

[Source: Dalmo, Sozorian Animal Enthusiast and researcher, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

“Although the ability to crystallize nectar is unique to a small group of the pellet weed family, the fact that these plants reach maturity so quickly and that their pellets contain such high concentrations of the natural nutrients in the soil explains why the Pikmin and so many of the other indigenous species are so reliant on these pellets for sustenance.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

Various methods of Nectar intake are displayed throughout these games.

[SOURCES]

In fact we see several creatures across the Pikmin series spit up pellets they've eaten from Pellet Posies when they’re defeated, directly reflecting the Piklopedia entries. The Iridescent Flint Beetles even store up undigested pellets and nectar for the winter. This is likely why Pikmin chase them so fervently:

“Flint beetles are nocturnal, choosing to hide in the grass by day and stay active at night. These creatures keep undigested food pellets in their stomachs to sustain them through winter, but given the right stimulus they will spit them out. Recent research has revealed that these pellets are enveloped in a membrane that seals and preserves them in a sterile, airtight environment. If kept at room temperature, it seems that this pellet membrane will keep its contents fresh for up to six months. The membrane may be made from the same substance that gives the exoskeleton of the flint beetle its beautiful sheen.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

As Olimar states in his log on the Lumiknoll, the Nectar supports the ecosystem. It all comes back to Nectar, and thus Lumiknolls will break down essentially all deceased creatures into Glow Pellets come night time.

“Besides the fact that they serve as incubators and nests for Glow Pikmin, we know very little about the Lumiknoll's ecology. When nocturnal creatures die, a Lumiknoll can break them down into glow pellets through its strong dissolving enzymes.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

In short, the Pellet Posies crystallise Nectar from the soil into Pellets, which are collected by Pikmin and brought back to their Onions to reproduce with. When the creatures that feed on Nectar die, they are broken down into Glow Pellets by the dissolving enzymes of the Lumiknolls and their Nectar is returned to the soil by Glow Pikmin, starting the cycle anew.

“But since these Pikmin come from the depths of the soil, surely, to the soil they shall return. How very poetic-while it is all alien to me, the basic premise is universally beautiful.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 1, December 2001]

As a result of this fascinating ecological shift, essentially every creature native to the ecosystem can also be consumed by an Onion to have its nectarous body broken down and repurposed to produce more Pikmin seeds just as a Pellet would be. In fact, there's only one species in the entire series that doesn't get broken down and converted into Pikmin when they're fed to an Onion...

If Olimar fails to collect all of his necessary Ship Parts to escape PNF-404 at the end of Pikmin 1, he crashes the S.S. Dolphin and his life-support system fails, resulting in his death. The Pikmin carry his body back to the Red Onion, where he's absorbed by it like any other creature - however, instead of producing some Red Pikmin, Olimar is spat back out as a unique seed.

In Pikmin 4's Olimar's Shipwreck Tale, these very same events transpire. Olimar is absorbed by the fused Onion that accompanied him throughout his mission and transformed into what we now call a Leafling.

Leaflings are Leaders who've been processed by an Onion, rejuvenated and had their DNA altered to resemble that of a Pikmin, resulting in the growth of leaves all over their heads. These leaves allow them to breathe on PNF-404 without a space helmet despite the high levels of Oxygen. But for some reason, Leaflings largely retain their leader morphology and can even be cured and restored to their original forms.

Why is this? What makes the leaders so special? Well, the leaders are completely separate from PNF-404’s post-Pikmin, Nectar-based system of life. If the Onion works by breaking down and repurposing forms of Nectar into Pikmin seeds, it's going to have trouble doing so with a being that is not made of Nectar. This is also exactly why leafified individuals can be cured.

The Leafling cure developed by Yonny, the doctor of the Rescue Corps, uses Glow Sap, the condensed form of the Lumiknolls' nectar-dissolving enzymes, to break down the leaves of those who have become Leaflings...

“Let me thiiink… The primary symptom is growing of leaves, yes? If that is the case, then I believe we may be able to cure them. While stranded, I discovered a bewitching specimen called a Lumiknoll. It only appears in the dark of night. When dawn breaks, it releases a sap quite high in degradative enzymes. I believe I can make a medicine out of those secretions that can break down the newly grown leaves.”

[Source: Yonny, Member of the Rescue Corps and Doctor, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

Ingesting the enzymes in Glow Sap can have a detrimental effect on the creatures of PNF-404, causing their bodies to dissolve and leading to mutations. The primary example being the Smoky Progg, which is a larval Mamuta, malformed by the introduction of Glow Sap to the embryo in development.

“The Smoky Progg's body is constantly deteriorating, so collecting a living sample has proven difficult and research into the species has progressed at a glacial rate. However, by examining the genes adhered to the Smoky Progg's eggs, it has been confirmed that they are, in fact, Mamuta eggs! This discovery allows for the possibility that Mamuta that do not develop properly and hatch become Smoky Proggs. If, hypothetically, a Mamuta were to remain aboveground at night and absorb glow sap, that might impact the nutrient levels within its egg's yolk. That change could lead to the embryo's inviability or break down its enzymes, then...maybe...”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

However, with leaders it has no ill effects whatsoever:

“This matter, when condensed, becomes glow sap. One might assume glow sap is then an extremely dangerous substance, but it has hardly any negative effects. In fact, I've had it administered to me personally as a curative medicine to break down growing leaves.”

[Source: Captain Olimar, Employee of Hocotate Freight and Captain of the S.S. Dolphin, Playable Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

In fact, glow sap is seemingly almost entirely potable to non-leafified individuals:

“We know glow sap breaks down leaves, and it also has remarkable healing effects. Buuut if a non-leafified individual takes the medicine, those healing benefits are virtually nonexistent. Perhaps next time you find someone badly injured, I should try turning them into a leaf person to heal them, eheheh.”

[Source: Yonny, Member of the Rescue Corps and Doctor, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

That is, of course, unless an Onion tries to convert said individuals into Leaflings. In these cases, the Glow Sap functions as a preventative, breaking down the Pikmin leaves before they have a chance to sprout. Leaders who have already recently ingested Glow Sap cannot be leafified by an Onion in the first place.

“Of course! You were ingesting nearly pure glow sap, so the leaves must have been broken down before they could sprout!”

[Source: Yonny, Member of the Rescue Corps and Doctor, Non-Player Character in Pikmin 4, July 2023]

Essentially, it seems that leaders can't become full Pikmin because they are not Nectar-based life, so instead the Onion does the next best thing - altering their DNA slightly to coat them in Pikmin leaves, AKA "leafification" - but if the leader has Glow Sap in their system, the Onion and its leaves can't take hold and instead dissolve. When a Leafling takes Yonny's cure the nectarous leaves degrade, leaving the original non-nectar body behind. Olimar's status as an alien to the environment the Pikmin call home is the very reason he doesn't become one - at least not fully.

I often think back upon Olimar from the bad ending of Pikmin 1 who, assuming he even found the Interstellar Radio, decided against using it to send out an S.O.S. Signal due to his lack of time and remote location. However, had he done so regardless perhaps he too would've been found by the Rescue Corps and restored to his original self - we can only hope that another party stumbled upon him in his future and said party also figured out the Leafling cure, however low the odds may be...

Thank you for reading, and a very special thank you to Sophie from @cartographers-office, who did the wonderful graphics featured in this post and let me talk her ear off about Pikmin nectar of all things... If you enjoyed this, check out her recent post on the Armored Cannon Beetle! But many questions remain. Why are the Leaflings so Dandori-obsessed? And what's going on with the leafification of the space dog Oatchi and his relation to Moss? Turn those Interstellar Radios on and stay tuned for future posts folks!

#pikmin lore #pikmin #pikmin theory #pikmin 4

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seandwalsh · 1 month

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I’m not sure this will help you out but might I suggest the Mario Wiki for the new host of images?

The Super Mario Wiki is great and would theoretically be a good host, but my posts don’t serve any purpose for them. This is also an issue with my non-Mario posts, such as the ones about Pikmin, which obviously Super Mario Wiki has nothing to do with. Thank you for your suggestion though!

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seandwalsh · 1 month

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Will Imgur work? That’s what I’ve been using.

Imgur has a significant loss of quality unfortunately, and their MO is to actively try to discourage being used as a host for external projects. Thank you for the suggestion though!

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seandwalsh · 1 month

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Just wanted to post an update on the state of several of my posts as well as the Mario Timeline.

I was using Discord to host most of my source images - this allowed me to upload as many images as I liked, for free, without any loss of quality - something most image hosts do not allow.

Unfortunately, Discord has recently put expiration dates on image links, meaning that my timeline is completely broken and several of my other posts, each of which I’ve spent hours compiling, editing and uploading source videos and screenshots for, need to be completely redone.

Not only will this take a long time, but I can’t even start working on it until I find a new suitable host for the images - one which allows the same benefits I had before. If anyone knows of such a host, please feel free to reach out to me.

For everyone else, please have patience. Fixing my existing posts will have to take priority over anything else I had in the pipeline or any asks that get sent my way. Thank you!

#mario timeline #blog maintenance

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seandwalsh · 2 months

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Sean, if Nintendo confirmed that Cranky was the Original Donkey Kong from Arcade and playable Donkey Kong in Donkey Kong Country is Donkey Kong the Third, how we know that Donkey Kong from Mario vs Donkey Kong is Modern DK and not Cranky???

My theory is that Donkey Kong from Mario vs Donkey Kong is younguer Cranky Kong

1. The 1rst Mario vs Donkey Kong says that “It’s up like Donkey Kong is up to his old tricks again” and that not makes sense is Modern DK because it would be his first game as a villian. Instead it haves more sense if it is Cranky with his old tricks again in Mario vs DK, his old villian tricks from Arcade games

2. The toys of Donkey Kong in Mario vs DK 2 are Circus Kong and the only Donkey Kong that goes to circus is Cranky in Donkey Kong Circus. Circus Kong even makes the same juggling act that Cranky

3. Donkey Kong from Mario vs Donkey Kong fall in love with Pauline and Donkey Kong the Third is boyfriend of Candy Kong. Cranky not cheat Wrinkly with Pauline because he meet Pauline in his old age. Cranky can wish to the Stars and the Stork for his son Donkey Kong Jr without Wrinkly before arcade games

We know the Donkey Kong in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series is the modern Donkey Kong because his design is clearly that of the modern Donkey Kong. The young Cranky Kong (Donkey Kong I) looked completely different from his grandson. It’s quite obvious.

Regardless, just to address your points:

1. The original Japanese manual of Mario vs. Donkey Kong says no such thing. Localisation made a clear error.

2. Donkey Kong is familiar with the games his grandfather starred in and the tales of his grandfather’s escapades. Circus Kongs could also be a coincidence.

3. I have no idea what you’re trying to say here but Donkey Kong essentially sees Pauline as a celebrity crush. There’s no “cheating” going on here. Cranky Kong would’ve needed Wrinkly Kong to wish for his son. Speaking of Pauline, Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis firmly establishes that Donkey Kong has just seen Pauline for the first time, which definitively proves that he is not Cranky Kong but the modern Donkey Kong from Donkey Kong Country.

Hope this clears things up for you.

#mario lore #super mario #mario timeline #donkey kong #mario vs donkey kong

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seandwalsh · 2 months

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This is awesome! I remember when I first realised this a few years back - MarioWiki had no coverage of it at the time. Crazy discovery.

Fact: The Diamond City and Snow Panic courses featured in Mario Kart Arcade GP and Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 are set in Diamond City from the WarioWare series.

These courses feature several landmarks from the WarioWare games alongside businesses owned by Professor E. Gadd.

#mario lore #warioware #wario #mario kart arcade gp #mario kart #super mario

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seandwalsh · 2 months

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Inspirations for the Sages in A Link Between Worlds

The Sages in A Link Between Worlds are a diverse bunch of characters, unlike the Sages and Maidens from its prequel A Link to the Past, who are all depicted as the same robed men or color-swapped girls respectively. They seem to take more after the Sages from Ocarina of Time, who are from a variety of races and are more distinctive overall. While some of the Sages in A Link Between Worlds take after those from Ocarina of Time, most of them are firmly rooted in A Link to the Past.

Gulley

Gulley is often said to be inspired by the Kokiri from Ocarina of Time, but I don't think that is necessarily correct. Instead, he takes far more after Flute Boy from A Link to the Past in his design. Flute Boy is also found in the Haunted Grove in A Link to the Past, a place that Gulley also frequents. It is possible that the Kokiri as a whole were inspired by Flute Boy as well, given their similar designs, but Gulley's design remains closer to Flute Boy's than to the Kokiri.

Oren

The enemy Zora queen Oren does seem to take after Ruto from Ocarina of Time, as she has a far more humanoid design than the other enemy Zoras that appear in many of the 2D Zelda games. But she does also remain steeped in A Link to the Past, as her Zora's Domain is where Zora's Waterfall was in that game. Oren's design falls more in the middle between the Zora designs common in the 3D games and the enemy Zoras seen in the 2D games.

Rosso

Rosso is a bit of a contentious topic, though he does have obvious ties to the Gorons. He has a belt buckle bearing their symbol and also looks the part with his physique, though he has a few non-Goron traits as well such as ears and fiery red hair. In-universe, he is just a human as Gorons were revealed to sprout from the ground in Tears of the Kingdom, which would make Rosso having Goron ancestry difficult. That said, he still is a clear reference to the Gorons given he is a miner on Death Mountain and he doesn't seem to take after any character from A Link to the Past.

Osfala

Osfala doesn't take from any character in particular, instead seemingly being inspired by how sagely characters were depicted in A Link to the Past in general. This includes the robed sages of the Imprisoning War and their descendant Sahasrahla. Unsurprisingly, Osfala is also the apprentice of A Link Between Worlds's incarnation of Sahasrahla.

Irene

Irene takes after the witches Syrup and Maple from A Link to the Past (specifically its GBA release where Maple is concerned), which is also evidenced by Irene living in the same hut as them. She lives alongside her grandmother, who may actually be an elderly Maple, given her Lorule counterpart is called "Mapes".

Impa

Impa has been a staple of the series since its inception, appearing since the first Zelda game. Impa in A Link Between Worlds is an elderly lady, which is how she appears in the original NES titles, Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Impa in A Link Between Worlds is part of this line of old Impas and doesn't pull from any one incarnation in particular.

Seres

Finally, Seres is a reference to the Maidens from A Link to the Past, who served the same role as the Sages in A Link Between World do gameplay-wise. She is a maiden as well who takes after them when it comes to appearance. Her father meanwhile is the Priest of the Sanctuary. While a similar character did exist in A Link to the Past, he did not have any confirmed family that can serve as a more concrete analogue to Seres.

#legend of zelda #albw

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seandwalsh · 2 months

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Has anyone else noticed that the Big Runs are getting... closer?

Wahoo and Inkblot are both Inkopolis

Undertow and Um'ami are both Splatlands

Barnacle & Dime is presumably Splatsville proper

And now we have Eeltail Alley, which is right near the hub

There's one Big Run left, right? How could they possibly get closer? Only *perhaps* Crableg or Robo ROM-en are closer, and Crableg wouldn't work as a Big Run. Could it be possible that the final Big Run is in the Splatsville hub?

The only hole in this is that Undertow probably should've come after Um'ami but that's a minor thing.

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seandwalsh · 2 months

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Location name references in Breath of the Wild

A year or so ago, I went through the location names in Breath of the Wild and tried to find out which names reference previous things from the series. The following is an overview of everything I was able to find back then. Will be taking this region by region and adding some observations where relevant. I also think most of these names are the same in Tears of the Kingdom but I know at least a few changed, so all of this may not apply to that game. Of note is also that I am leaving out the more obvious ones like Gerudo Desert, Lake Hylia, Death Mountain and the Lost Woods as these tend to be well-known. This focuses on the slightly more obscure ones.

I do want to point out one major one though: the Hebra Region (ヘブラ地方). This is actually a reference to A Link to the Past, A Link Between Worlds and Four Swords Adventures. In the former two, the main name of Death Mountain in the Japanese version is ヘブラ山 or Hebra Mountain. In Four Swords Adventures meanwhile, there is a minor region on Death Mountain called Hebra's Hill (ヘブラの丘). But let's get into the more minor references.

Gerudo Region

Arbiter's Grounds = Arbiter's Grounds from Twilight Princess

Spectacle Rock = Spectacle Rock from The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II and A Link to the Past. Many similar locations, sometimes with similar names, have also appeared throughout the series.

Koukot Plateau = the names of Koume and Kotake, who together make up Twinrova, smashed together. They appear in Ocarina of Time, the Oracle games and the memories in Tears of the Kingdom.

Mount Nabooru = Nabooru from Ocarina of Time and Nabooru Town from Zelda II.

Yarna Valley = Yarna Desert from Link's Awakening.

East Gerudo Mesa = Gerudo Mesa from Twilight Princess.

Overall, this region has few references, mostly centered around deserts and the Gerudo people. The only odd one out is Spectacle Rock, which is usually located in the north of Hyrule on Death Mountain.

South of Lake Hylia

Parache Plains (テトラ平原/Tetra Plains) = Tetra (テトラ/Tetra)

Faron region

Lake Floria/Floria River/Floria Bridge/Floria Falls = Lake Floria from Skyward Sword.

Martha's Landing = Martha's Bay from Link's Awakening.

Tuft Mountain = King Tuft from Tri Force Heroes.

Toronbo Beach = Toronbo Shores from Link's Awakening.

Koholit Rock = Koholint Island from Link's Awakening.

There is no real theme here, aside from the locations on Eventide Island referencing Link's Awakening, as the whole island is a reference to that game. This region also contains the only reference in Breath of the Wild to Tri Force Heroes.

Great Plateau and southwestern Hyrule Field

Digdogg Suspension Bridge = Digdogger from The Legend of Zelda and Oracle of Seasons.

Manhalna Bridge = Manhandla from The Legend of Zelda, Oracle of Seasons and Four Swords Adventures.

Gleeok Bridge = Gleeok from The Legend of Zelda, Oracle of Seasons, Phantom Hourglass and Tears of the Kingdom.

Aquame Bridge = Aquamentus from The Legend of Zelda and Oracle of Seasons.

Mount Daphnes = King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule from The Wind Waker.

Lake Kolomo/Kolomo Garrison Ruins = the Lokomo from Spirit Tracks.

Forest of Time = Forest of Time from Oracle of Ages.

Temple of Time = Temple of Time from Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword. The appearance of the structure most closely resembles the Ocarina of Time incarnation.

The bridges here are named after bosses from the first Zelda games, which is a running theme with the bridges around Hyrule Field. The other bridges are named after bosses from the other NES Zelda game, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, however.

Kakariko Village and Southeastern Hyrule Field

Proxim Bridge (モヨリ橋/Moyori Bridge) = Aboda Village (モヨリ村/Moyori Village) from Spirit Tracks.

Owlan Bridge = Owlan from Skyward Sword.

Horwell Bridge = Horwell from Skyward Sword.

Eagus Bridge = Eagus from Skyward Sword.

Batrea Lake = Batreaux from Skyward Sword.

Nabi Lake = Navi from Ocarina of Time.

Mable Ridge = Maple from the Oracle games and A Link to the Past (GBA).

Sahasra Slope = Sahasrahla from A Link to the Past and A Link Between Worlds.

Telta Lake = Tatl from Majora's Mask.

Lake Siela = Ciela from Phantom Hourglass.

Pillars of Levia = Levias from Skyward Sword.

Bonooru's Stand = Bonooru from Ocarina of Time.

Pierre Plateau = Pierre from Ocarina of Time and (maybe) Majora's Mask.

The island in the southeast of Hyrule Field is centered around Skyward Sword references, while the area around Kakariko Village contains references to helpful characters from throughout the series: companions and friendly NPCs. If I had to hazard a guess, this is a general reference to the Sheikah's and Impa's supporting roles throughout the series, as Kakariko Village is their home in Breath of the Wild.

Tabantha and Hyrule Ridge

Kolami Bridge = Komali from The Wind Waker.

Seres Scablands = Seres from A Link Between Worlds.

Breach of Demise = Demise from Skyward Sword.

This region contains relatively few references. This is of note because there is only one reference made to the Rito from The Wind Waker, which makes sense considering the Rito live in Tabantha in Breath of the Wild. However, there were a lot of named Rito that appeared in The Wind Waker and only one is referenced in Breath of the Wild. This is especially notable as there are a lot of references to individual Zoras, Koroks/Kokiri and Gorons in other regions of the map.

Northern Hyrule Field

Carok Bridge = Carock from Zelda II.

Helmhead Bridge = Helmethead from Zelda II.

Rebonae Bridge = Rebonack from Zelda II.

Orsedd Bridge = Horsehead from Zelda II.

Mount Gustaf = King Gustaf from The Minish Cap.

Mabe Village Ruins/Mabe Prairie = Mabe Village from Link's Awakening.

Romani Plains = Romani and Romani Ranch from Majora's Mask.

Rauru Settlement Ruins/Rauru Hillside = Rauru from Ocarina of Time and Tears of the Kingdom and Rauru Town from Zelda II.

Crenell Hills/Crenel Peak = Mt. Crenel from The Minish Cap.

Thims Bridge = Smith from The Minish Cap.

Minshi Woods = Minish Woods from The Minish Cap.

Pico Pond = the Picori from The Minish Cap.

Trilby Plain = Trilby Highlands from The Minish Cap.

Here we see the rest of the bridges that reference the NES games. The eastern island and area further to the northeast in general contain many references to The Minish Cap (not pictured here is also the Trilby Valley that also references that game). Mount Gustaf to the west meanwhile is one of three mountains that references a king of Hyrule: we also have Mount Daphnes mentioned earlier and Mount Rhoam in Hyrule Ridge, which of course references king Rhoam from Breath of the Wild itself. Finally, the places named after Rauru could be named after the sage from Ocarina of Time, but it is also possible they reference the first king of Hyrule from Tears of the Kingdom. It depends on how much of Tears of the Kingdom's story was conceptualized when Breath of the Wild first released.

Lanayru Region

Trilby Valley = Trilby Highlands from The Minish Cap.

Zauz Island = Zauz from Phantom Hourglass.

Linebeck Island = Linebeck from Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.

Mercay Island = Mercay Island from Phantom Hourglass.

Molida Island = Molida Island from Phantom Hourglass.

Bannan Island = Bannan Island from Phantom Hourglass.

Goponga Island/Goponga Village RUins = Goponga Swamp from Link's Awakening.

Inogo Bridge = The Indigo-Go's from Majora's Mask.

Tabahl Woods = Tabahl Wasteland from Link's Awakening.

Zodobon Highlands = King Zora de Bon XIV from Ocarina of Time.

Oren Bridge = Oren from A Link Between Worlds.

Ralis Pond = Prince Ralis from Twilight Princess.

Luto's Crossing = Laruto from The Wind Waker.

Rutala River/Rutala Dam = Queen Rutela from Twilight Princess.

Ruto Mountain/Ruto Lake/Ruto Precipice = Princess Ruto from Ocarina of Time and Ruto Town from Zelda II.

Toto Lake = Toto from Majora's Mask.

Mikau Lake = Mikau from Majora's Mask.

Lulu Lake = Lulu from Majora's Mask.

Ja'Abu Ridge = Lord Jabu-Jabu from Ocarina of Time and Oracle of Ages.

Veiled Falls = Veil Falls from The Minish Cap.

Lanayru has a pretty clear division, with the western Wetlands mostly referencing Phantom Hourglass and the eastern Great Spring containing many references to Zoras and characters relating to the Zoras. We also see a few stray references to Link's Awakening and Veil Falls from The Minish Cap. This is notable because in that game, Veil Falls act as the source of Hyrule's water, which is also often the case for Zora's Domain whenever it appears in the series (and so too in Breath of the Wild).

Lanayru Bay

Samasa Plain = Samasa Desert from Oracle of Seasons.

Brynna Plain = Labrynna from Oracle of Ages.

Horon Lagoon = Horon Village from Oracle of Seasons.

Talus Plateau (トロイワ高原/Toroiwa Plateau) = Talus Peaks (トロイワ山地/Toroiwa Mountains) from Oracle of Ages.

Lodrum Headland = Holodrum form Oracle of Seasons.

Tarm Point = Tarm Ruins from Oracle of Seasons.

Wintre Island = Woods of Winter from Oracle of Seasons.

Spool Bight = Spool Swamp from Oracle of Seasons.

Tal Tal Peak = Tal Tal Peaks from Link's Awakening.

The area around Lanayru Bay is a hotspot for references to the two Oracle games. The stray reference to Link's Awakening (DX) also fits this theme, with it being the other Zelda game for the Game Boy Color, as well as the other Link's Awakening references in Lanayru in general.

Great Hyrule Forest

Upland Lindor/Lindor's Brow = Linder from The Wind Waker.

Irch Plain = Irch from The Wind Waker.

Rowan Plain = Rown from The Wind Waker.

Elma Knolls = Elma from The Wind Waker.

Aldor Foothills = Aldo from The Wind Waker.

Mount Drena/Drenan Highlands = Drona from The Wind Waker.

Lake Mekar/Mekar Island = Makar from The Wind Waker.

Lake Saria = Saria from Ocarina of Time and Saria Town from Zelda II.

Mido Swamp = Mido from Ocarina of Time and Mido Town from Zelda II.

Lots of references to Koroks and Kokiri, which makes sense as the Koroks live in this area in Breath of the Wild.

Eldin Region (a.k.a. Death Mountain)

Lake Darman = Darmani from Majora's Mask.

Darunia Lake = Darunia from Ocarina of Time and Darunia Town from Zelda II.

Gorko Lake/Gorko Tunnel = Gorko from Skyward Sword.

Gortram Cliff = Gortram from Skyward Sword.

Darb Pond = Darbus from Twilight Princess.

Medingo Pool = Medigoron from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.

Gero Pond = Don Gero's Mask from Majora's Mask.

Lots of references to Gorons, as the Gorons live here in Breath of the Wild. Don Gero's Mask is probably here because it is initially worn by a Goron in Majora's Mask.

Akkala Region

Kanalet Ridge = Kanalet Castle from Link's Awakening.

Ulri Mountain/Ulria Grotto = Old Man Ulrira from Link's Awakening.

Torin Wetland = Tarin from Link's Awakening.

Malin Bay = Marin from Link's Awakening.

Ukuku Plains = Ukuku Prairie from Link's Awakening.

Kaepora Pass = Kaepora Gaebora from Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask and Four Swords Adventures.

Tingel Island = Tingle, who appears in a lot of Zelda games.

Ankel Island = Ankle from The Wind Waker, Four Swords Adventures and The Minish Cap.

Knuckel Island = Knuckle from The Wind Waker, Four Swords Adventures and The Minish Cap.

Davdi Island = David Jr. from The Wind Waker, Four Swords Adventures and The Minish Cap.

Akkala is a cluster for Link's Awakening references, with the reference to Kaepora Gaebora likely also tying into this. That owl's spiritual predecessor, simply called the Owl, namely appeared in Link's Awakening. The islands of off Akkala's coast meanwhile are named after the four Tingle brothers.

#breath of the wild #hyrule #legend of zelda #zelda lore #tears of the kingdom

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seandwalsh · 2 months

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It really is the perfect contrast. I love how they’re portrayed.

Fact: Wario and Waluigi are not brothers, blood related or even friends. They're said to be partners or accomplices with common interests.

They team up during tournaments to compete with Mario and Luigi, but don't seem to spend much time together outside of those activities.

Source(s):

Nintendo Dream Web

Fumihide Aoki on Instragram

#mario lore #super mario #waluigi #wario #mario & luigi

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seandwalsh · 2 months

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Top: the "Cat Nap" microgame in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames and the "Pet Cat" souvenir in WarioWare: Twisted both feature a specific photorealistic white cat.

Bottom: the Japanese official site for WarioWare: Twisted revealed a photo of the original real-life cat that was digitized to create that graphic, as well as stating that in-universe, the cat's name is Boji and it belongs to Sugar, the owner of Club Sugar (the dance club seen throughout the WarioWare series).

Main Blog | Twitter | Patreon | Source: twitter.com user "CmrCmx64223"

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seandwalsh · 2 months

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Do you think the Flower Kingdom is on the same landmass as the Mushroom Kingdom? It's said they're very close to one another, and you can see large mushrooms in the background of level 1 of Mario Wonder, so I think it's possible.

Yes, I think they’re likely neighbours. I spoke about it not long after Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s announcement here.

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seandwalsh · 2 months

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Do you think any presence of humans in the Mushroom World (Mario's Earth), is possibly implying they all came from the normal/Tour Earth in the past via a Rainbow Portal? (At least since 200 years ago given the fact Rosalina existed back then in the Mushroom Kingdom)

Probably not. Essentially every type of creature exists on Mario’s Earth, not just humans. Birds, fish, mollusks, etc. I think it’s pretty clearly just parallel evolution on two alternate Earths, especially given travel between universes likely wasn’t discovered until 3000 years ago but very early cavemen can be seen in Super Mario Odyssey and WarioWare: Move It!

#mario lore #super mario

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seandwalsh · 3 months

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I had a question regarding a game excluded from the timeline. That game being Puzzles & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition.

I understand the exclusion of certain crossover titles such as Super Smash Bros. and Mario + Rabbids which are obviously non canon material. Wario Blast, Fortune Street, and Mario & Sonic don’t work with the timeline. There are games included on the timeline that do have some crossover elements such as Mario Kart 8/Mario Kart Arcade GP/Super Mario RPG/Mario Hoops 3-on-3/Mario Sports Mix. So this would mean that having some (albeit limited) crossover elements means it’s still eligible for the timeline.

This is my logic as to why Puzzles and Dragons should be considered for the timeline. Despite its name, it not a crossover in the sense that Mario and Co. are teaming up with dragons from the series. It’s more that it’s a Mario game with a story and regular Mario characters that plays like a Puzzles and Dragon game. The only other crossover element is the inclusion of Tamadra who is a character that originated from Puzzles & Dragons. However, I do not think this should be enough to exclude the entire game. Link, Inklings, and Isabelle appear in MK8, Final Fantasy characters appear in Mario Sports Mix, Super Mario RPG, and Mario Hoops 3-on-3, and Pac-Man and other Namco characters appear throughout the Mario Kart Arcade GP series. With all these other games that feature crossover characters, I don’t understand why a game like Puzzles & Dragon with limited crossover elements and a full story should be excluded? I would be interested in hearing your reasoning for the exclusion of this game as well as your logic in determining how much crossover material a game is allowed in order to be considered part of the timeline.

Games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are still Mario games first and foremost. Yes, they feature a handful of guest characters but the vast majorities of the games in question are just Mario.

In order for a game to be considered canon, it must entirely be a Mario title. Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition is very much a Puzzle & Dragons game as much as it is a Mario game. The title indicates it’s part of the Puzzle & Dragons series and the mysterious glowing Puzzle & Dragons Orbs appear in the Mushroom Kingdom out of nowhere along with Tamadra. As we can see on the overworld, these orbs are the very same ones from the Puzzle & Dragons world, making this a significant crossover given the entire game revolves around these Orbs.

This is quite similar to the setups of games like Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, which of course we know aren’t canon. This is why I have opted to leave it out. I hope that answers your question!

#mario lore #super mario #mario timeline