The hidden references in World of Warcraft
Find out what He-Man, this gnome, and Brad Pitt have in common
Donkey Kong
The Gorillas of Un’Goro crater, as well as King Mukla will occasionally drop Empty Barrels.
Final Fantasy VII
Located in Dalaran is one Aerith Primrose, a level 30 flower seller, who bears a passing resemblance to the famous flower seller, Aerith Gainsborough.
The Legend of Zelda
You can find a gnome named ‘Linken’ in Un’Goro Crater, who gives out a Zelda-themed quest and the loot to match (Linken’s Sword of Mastery!).
Super Mario Bros.
It seems Un’Goro Crater is Blizzard’s home for Nintendo references, like Muigin and Larion. Find these two in Marshal’s Refuge.
Also, visit Blast Thunderbomb at the Ymirheim camp in Northrend to help pilot his Mario-like Jumpbot to the top of the mountain.
StarCraft
Seen all those unmanned Goblin Shredders about? Well, just look at the control panel and you’ll see a portrait of the Queen of Blades, Sarah Kerrigan.
The Lost Vikings
You can find this nod to Blizzard’s 1992 platformer in the three lost Dwarves in Uldaman: Olaf, Eric the Swift, and Baelog.
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Siouxsie and the Banshees
Oddly, there are a few Siouxsie references in WoW, including this one: a Night Elf Death Knight named Siouxsie the Banshee in The Ebon Hold.
Romeo and Juliet
One of the more bizarre boss fights in WoW takes place in the Opera House in Karazhan: Romulo and Julianne fight you while quoting the original play.
The Loch Ness Monster
Nessy is a boss-level threshadon occasionally seen by travelers on the Deeprun Tram between Ironforge and Stormwind City.
O RLY?
Even WoW isn’t safe from this insidious Internet meme. You’ll find an Auctioneer O’reely in Booty Bay, an Auctioneer Yarly in the Undercity and O’Reily the owl near Tanaris Port.
Oct 22, 2009
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