Alongside the start of the Tokyo Olypmics yesterday, Google launched its latest andmost ambitious Google Doodle of all time. It is a game reminiscent of an old-school RPG with seven different sports for players to participate in, multiple side quests to complete, a large island to explore, and gorgeous animations sprinkled in throughout fun yet simple gameplay. Many fans are stunned by the quality and scope of the doodle, as it is easily the largest and most impressive one to date. At the same time, some fans think they’ve found what might be a reference toThe Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakeningtucked away in the doodle’s opening cutscene.
It should be said that this has not been confirmed by any of the involved parties as a reference, and to be fair the link (pun intended) is somewhat weak. Still, Nintendo is a Japanese company, so it isn’t too outlandish to think that this might have been intentional. The scene at the beginning ofGoogle Doodle Champion Island GamesandThe Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakeningdo share something in common.
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When players first launchGoogle Doodle Champion Island Games, they are treated to a gorgeous 2D animation that sets the tone for the rest of the series. Lucky the “calico (c)athlete” is on a boat heading towards a large island with a distinctive mountain crowning it. When players start the game, they are at the base of this island and can begin their quest. This parallels thebeginning ofLink’s Awakeningas well, in which the titular Hero of Time finds himself sailing towards a similar island with an equally distinctive mountain on it.
There are some notable differences, though. For starters, thestory ofLink’s Awakeningstarts withLink sailing through a raging storm, and he ends up reaching the island only after lightning strikes his sail and knocks him off the boat. By contrast, Lucky sails through smooth waters, and seems to arrive peacefully to the island. The composition of both scenes is different as well, with the island showing up during the first scene inGoogle Doodle Champion Islandand being showed at the end of the cutscene inLink’s Awakening.
Whether this is an intended reference is anyone’s guess, but players can watch both cutscenes above and make that decision for themselves. There isn’t much in the way ofThe Legend of Zeldareferences throughout the rest of the game other than its general aesthetic, so this is likely a one off thing if it was intended. There was also quite a bit ofvideo game music at the opening ceremony of the Olympics, so anything is possible.
Google Doodle Champion Island Gamesis available now on PC and Mobile.
