Following on the success and popularity of Breath of the Wild is Tears of the Kingdom, the second Zelda title that continues with the pattern of opening up the world of Hyrule to fans, allowing for exploration, crafting, and gathering resources along with Link's usual mission of saving the kingdom.
While exploring the vast, beautiful lands, players might recognize the names of some of these places as they are references to characters that appeared in other Legend of Zelda titles or to reoccurring fan-favorite characters from across the franchise.
5 Linebeck Island
Those that are familiar with Nintendo's foray into handheld consoles might recognize the character this island is named after. Phantom Hourglass, the first TLoZ game released on the DS consoles, saw Link taking to the seas accompanied by the aforementioned Linebeck, who starts off as a cowardly and greedy man who cares about himself first and treasure second. He captains the ship, the S.S Linebeck Link, and the self-named Captain use to traverse the world as they embark on a journey to save Tetra from Bellum, Phantom Hourglasses antagonist. In the final hour of the game, Linebeck defends Link after Bellum knocks him unconscious and uses his wish not for treasure but for his ship to be returned to him after it was sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
The redemption of his character no doubt landed him as a well-liked character for some fans and definitely earns him this easter egg in the world of Tears of the Kingdom, as well as appearing in its predecessor Breath of the Wild. In TotK, players can find this island in Lanaryu Wetlands that rests on the fringes of the Zora's domain. The most notable feature of this location, besides its name, is the large tree situated in the center, from which a large acorn hangs.
4 Kaepora Pass
Kaepora is one of the reoccurring characters throughout the Zelda franchise, first appearing in Ocarina of Time, but then also making appearances as the helpful yet cryptic sage in Majora's Mask, Four Swords Adventures, and Skyward Sword, appearing as a large brown owl that offers aid to Link in numerous ways. Kaepora is more than what meets the player's eye, however. He is a manifestation of the Raura, the Sage of Light, who has remained in the confines of the Temple of Light following the construction of the Temple of Time, only venturing from its confines in the form of an owl.
In ToTK, players can find this location in the region of Akkala, which players must pass through to reach multiple shrines in the area. In that way, it is the perfect location to name after the shepherding Sage, as Kaepora often appeared to guide the player on where to go next, much as how the pass guides players to new shrines.
3 Lake Saria
A throwback to one of Zelda's most popular titles Ocarina of Time, Lake Saria is fondly named after one of the inhabitants of the Kokori Forest, who was also Link's childhood friend in that incarnation. Ocarina of Time is often hailed as one of the greatest titles in the franchise, as it was the first Zelda game to make the change to 3D graphics, changing the face of the franchise. In this title, Saria plays a key role in the game, gifting him the ocarina and awakening as the Sage of the Forest after Link rescues her from the Forest Temple.
The Lake named after the Sage of the Forest lies within the Korok Forest, which is a nod to the Kokori Forest she called home in OoT. Players can traverse across the lake using a raft to reach the shrine that rests on one of its shores, which players can only gain entry to once completing the Trial of Second Sight, which challenges players to see their goal through the thick mist shrouding the area.
2 Koholit Rock
Koholit Rock isn't necessarily a reference to a character just by name alone, but a place that existed within the psyche of a specific character. Fans familiar with Link's Awakening might think this location sounds familiar, and that's because its name is derived from Koholint Island, which also made an appearance in the spin-off title Hyrule Warriors. In Link's Awakening, this Island is where the entirety of the game takes place and exists only within the dreams of the Fish Prince.
For players wanting to see this reference for themself, they need to travel to the south-eastern region of the Necluda Sea and disembark on Eventide Island. Traveling to the south of the Island is where they will find Kohilit Rock. Since it houses one of the Monster Strongholds, the journey certainly would not be wasted.
1 Tingle Island
Tingle Island makes a return from its debut in Breath of the Wild, harkening back to the main-stay NPC Tingle, the man who staunchly devotes himself to larping as a fairy. Not only does this feature as a location in TotK, but players can also get their hands on a set of Tingle armor, which are scattered across the world map as fragments that the player must track and gather themselves. Not only providing players with the humorous appearance of Tingle, but players can also run faster at nighttime, which will make traveling much more efficient.
For players more interested in the location, players need to travel to the northernmost island located in the Lanayru Sea. What's more, Tingle's Island contains the chasms scattered across the world that connect the Surface World to the Depths, located just to the east of Tarry Town. But unlike other chasms, this one leads Link to an area that is not connected to the rest of the depths, and if players dare to explore, they will be rewarded with the Cap of the Wind if they overcome the Phantom Ganon standing guard.
