The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom contains many references and callbacks to previous entries in the Zelda franchise, but mostly its predecessor, Breath of the Wild. However, both titles, but especially Tears of the Kingdom, contains Easter eggs to one beloved installment in Nintendo's video game series: The Wind Waker for GameCube.
Although The Wind Waker was a divisive entry in the franchise when it released due to its reinvented art style, it has since become a beloved fan-favorite, especially after its HD release on the Wii U. In more ways than one, Tears of the Kingdom pays homage to many elements of the franchise that started in the seafaring GameCube title.
6 The Wind Temple
Obviously, the Wind Temple in Tears of the Kingdom makes a callback to Wind Waker, given the use of wind as a main mechanic in both the GameCube game and the Tears of the Kingdom temple. This may fly over the heads of some Zelda fans, though thankfully others hardcore Wind Waker lovers caught this Easter egg in the Switch title.
The boss that players fight at the end of Tears of the Kingdom's Wind Temple is Colgera, a flying insect monster. Its name bears a great similarity to another boss in Wind Waker known as Molgera, who also serves as the climax of that game's Wind Temple. Furthermore, there are lots of musical similarities between Colgera's theme and Molgera's.
5 Koroks
Although they also appeared in Breath of the Wild in a similar capacity, Koroks make a return in Tears of the Kingdom. In Wind Waker, these forest-dwelling tree spirits were introduced as descendants of the Kokiri, protected by the Great Deku Tree. In Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, they fulfill this duty again while also being discoverable in the overworld.
Although Link will mostly encounter Koroks while exploring Hyrule, collecting Korok Seeds players can later use to upgrade their inventory sizes, Tears of the Kingdom introduces a new method of gaining Korok Seeds. Wild Koroks need help getting to their friends in far distances, forcing some players to do devious things to the Koroks achieving these goals.
4 Armor Of The Wind
Like many other installments in The Legend of Zelda franchise, there are several referential armor sets that Link can acquire in Tears of the Kingdom. One of these sets, known as the Armor of the Wind, comprises three pieces can be found in The Depths of Hyrule. When brought together, they dress players similarly to Link's outfit from The Wind Waker, complete with that iconic spiral belt.
Furthermore, there's another Wind Waker-inspired clothing piece that players can find in Tears of the Kingdom. Known as the Island Lobster Shirt, this chest armor can be found as a reward in Lurelin Village, offering little defense but a heat resistance bonus. Fans of Wind Waker will recognize this shirt as Link's starting outfit from the GameCube game.
3 Sea-Breeze Boomerang
Along with armor sets, there are also weapons that players can discover in Tears of the Kingdom that harken back to previous Zelda games. One of these returning weapons is the Sea-Breeze Boomerang, whose design imitates the Boomerang weapon from Wind Waker that can be used to lock onto different targets at one time.
It's not the only boomerang weapon in Tears of the Kingdom, but it is the only one based on a boomerang design from a previous Zelda game. It can be found by exploring The Depths, but impatient players can also get one by tapping a Toon Link amiibo to their Nintendo Switch device. This can only be tried once a day, with a random chance of the item dropping.
2 Rito Tribe
Of the five dominant races that inhabit Hyrule in Tears of the Kingdom, the Rito are the only ones who originated in The Wind Waker. In the GameCube title, the bird-like species are described as descendants of the Zora, though the two races co-exist in Breath of the Wild, as well as Tears of the Kingdom. However, the Zora's design differs greatly from their original look.
Although the Rito were originally inspired by a species exclusive to the Ocarina of Time manga, their introduction in The Wind Waker is their more proper entry point in the series. In the Wind Temple, Link is even accompanied by Turin, a Rito companion who is also one of the Sages. He plays a role similar to that of Medli in the GameCube title's Earth Temple.
1 Lurelin Village
Although it may be unrecognizable to some fans, many consider Lurelin Village a recreation of Outset Island, Link's home from Wind Waker. The seaside town houses many fishermen, similar to the characters who players encounter in the early parts of the GameCube game. Additionally, its role in Tears of the Kingdom has further allusion to Wind Waker.
Upon nearing Lurelin Village, players will discover that the town has been overtaken by pirates. This may reference the arrival of Tetra and her crew, which ignites the main events of Wind Waker. Additionally, the music of Lurelin Village resembles the Kokiri Forest theme from Ocarina of Time, potentially referencing Outset Island also being Link's home.