The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the hotly anticipated sequel to Breath of the Wild. As such, it obviously follows up on that game's events and references them in several key moments. However, the 2017 hit isn't the only foundation used.
Tears of the Kingdom is yet another chapter in the larger Zelda series. To solidify that, the developers at Nintendo include a number of callbacks to previous adventures. Some of these could simply be silly Easter Eggs to get a laugh out of audiences. Alternatively, they might be deep cuts to strengthen the lore of the current game. Both outcomes are equally exciting to longtime fans.
6 We Are The Champions
This is for those players who supported Breath of the Wild after its initial release. Specifically, it pays homage to the Champions' Ballad DLC. At the end of this expansion, the eponymous Champions take a photo together. They might as well commemorate their camaraderie, after all.
Players now see that camaraderie immortalized. If Link enters his house in Tears of the Kingdom, he sees the photo. This Easter Egg comes with a caveat, though, as it only shows up if players have a save file for the DLC. This condition shows surprising attention to detail, and the result is a cute wink and nod to those who've experienced the Champions' journey.
5 A Link To The Past
When hearing Hyrule's mythology, fans learn of the Imprisoning War. This occurs in the distant past and describes the conflict between the mysterious Sages and villainous Ganondorf. At first glance, this might seem like an inconsequential bit of backstory, but it actually ties into another entry.
A Link To The Past also references the Imprisoning War. It still involves the Sages. The difference is that it describes them sealing Ganon away in the Dark World. Considering Ganon and Ganondorf are two sides of one coin, fans can assume that the game refers to the same war. This helps tie Hyrule history together and keeps the stories from feeling quite so disconnected.
4 Cooking Songs
Players spend a lot of time cooking meals to keep their strength up and buff their stats. To pass that time, Link hums a little tune. He could have picked a random beat, but the developers decide to make each cooking session into a nostalgic campfire session.
Many of Link's songs come from previous Zelda games. Examples include Ocarina of Time and Link's Awakening. The gimmick is similar to how Final Fantasy 15 includes past games' themes as songs on the car radio. It's perfect background noise for storied fans. For everyone else, it provides a snippet of some catchy game music. Everyone wins.
3 Demon King Demise
When scanning the ancient murals of past conflicts, Zelda says that the antagonistic force is known as the "Demon King." Players might assume this means Ganondorf. Although he is the villain of this story, he's not the only demonic despot.
Considering how old the mural is, it probably refers to Demise: the original leader of the Demon Tribe. He battles the Goddesses after the world's creation and clashes with Link in Skyward Sword. Upon his defeat, he curses the hero's descendants to suffer his wrath for the rest of time. Many fans theorize that said wrath manifests as Ganondorf. As such, the mural may hold a double meaning.
2 A Retro Wardrobe
While each mainline Zelda title features a different Link, fans might be disappointed that his Tears of the Kingdom version sports a new look. Luckily, those fans can unlock rare equipment which hearkens back to past entries. Hidden away in dungeons are famous items like the green tunic, the Hylian Shield, and even Majora's Mask. All of these conjure warm feelings in gamers across the globe, but that excitement pales in comparison to one gear set.
Also available is the Awakening armor. This doesn't just change Link's outfit. Instead, it alters his art design to resemble his chibi counterpart in Link's Awakening. This contrasts wildly with the game's more detailed aesthetic, but that's part of the fun. It's also why the armor is so difficult to attain. The pieces lie in just a few chests across a vast world. Players are unlikely to stumble on them without a dedicated search. However, they're well worth the effort for those wishing to evoke the heroes of old.
1 Fi's Return
Though Ganondorf damages the Master Sword early in the tale, its spirit remains intact. In that, Tears of the Kingdom hints at the existence of Fi: the sprite residing inside the Master Sword. She first appears in Skyward Sword, where she speaks an indeterminate language with an electronic chime. That same chime comes from the broken sword in Tears of the Kingdom. Of course, that's not the only familiar sound.
Light emanates from the Master Sword in several cutscenes. During these moments, players hear hints of Fi's musical theme. It's just a few seconds of a subtle piano riff, but it's nevertheless recognizable and appropriate. Zelda mentions the sword speaking to her in Breath of the Wild. If it's corrupted or damaged here, Fi would naturally make her presence known in some way.