Ocarina Of Time Remake Producer Explains Why Mario Easter Eggs Were Cut
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has removed some of the original game’s Super Mario easter eggs to make sure players are as immersed as possible.If you’re a Zelda veteran or just an easter egg aficionado, then you…
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has removed some of the original game’s Super Mario easter eggs to make sure players are as immersed as possible.
If you’re a Zelda veteran or just an easter egg aficionado, then you no doubt know that Ocarina of Time included a few cheeky references to Nintendo’s other juggernaut series, Super Mario. Talon’s design and the Bowser pendant that he and his daughter wear are the obvious ones, but the real treat is a bunch of Mario portraits that can be seen through the windows of Zelda’s courtyard.
Even though the easter egg is really just a few images from Super Mario 64 and Mario Kart 64, it’s still a beloved secret from the original game. Sadly, those portraits are nowhere to be found in the Ocarina of Time remake, which the series’ producer has explained was done to keep players focused on being immersed in Hyrule.
Ocarina Of Time Remake Is So Focused On Immersion That It Removed The Mario Portraits
“Why Is Yoshi There?”
As pointed out by GameXplain founder Andre Segers on Twitter, looking through the windows of Zelda’s courtyard in the Ocarina of Time remake will no longer treat you to some pixely Mario artwork. IGN points out that the windows now give you a sneak peek at the full Threads of Time tapestry, which, while gorgeous, is a bit of a downgrade.
GoNintendo actually had the chance to ask Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma about the Mario portraits being removed from the remake. Aonuma said that some of the game’s developers asked about adding nods and references to the overall timeline, which he shot down so they could focus on making “the best version of Ocarina of Time that we can”.
The producer went on to say that including the portraits in the original game wasn’t “too big a deal”, but that it could “interrupt” the player’s immersion and sense of worldbuilding in the more detailed remake. As Aonuma puts it, if players walk into the courtyard and think “Why is Yoshi there?”, then it could take away from the moment.
It’s not just the Mario reference that’s been cut, as the Skyward Sword easter egg that was added to the 3DS remake is also nowhere to be seen.
Considering how much effort has gone into updating Ocarina of Time and making it more detailed and immersive for a new generation, it’s a fair point. I don’t think the Mario portraits would have really impacted anyone’s experience all that much, but at least we know why they’re missing in action.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time RPG Action Adventure Systems 5.0/5OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 95/100 Critics Rec: 100% Released November 5, 2026 ESRB Everyone 10+ / Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence Developer(s) Nintendo Publisher(s) Nintendo