Pop Culture References in WoW: NPCs and Quests from Games and Music

posted 2014/02/08 at 11:12 AM by perculia

Legend of Zelda

Blizzard and Community References in WoW

Pop Culture References in WoW Achievements

Pop Culture Item References: Comics, Books, Music, and Poetry

Pop Culture Item References: Video Games, Movies, and TV

Click the cut to read about more pop culture references!GamesBattletoadsBottletoadsBattletoads trolling memeBioshockStonetalon MountainsRaptureClarissaAliceClarissa whispers: Get 'em, Mr D!
Clarissa whispers: Hooray, Mr. D! You're back! Do you remember how to shoot all your guns? Why don't you take a minute to learn how to fight again! Just in case.
Clarissa whispers: Hurt 'em some more! MORE!
Clarissa whispers: Make 'em sorry for hurting you, Mr. D!
Clarissa whispers: YAY!Anderov RyonAndrew Ryan
Fools! Simpletons! Look at you milling about, oblivious to the coming of the end!
Allow me to ask a simple question: Is a man allowed - entitled even - the sweat of his brow?
"No," says the orc in Orgrimmar, "it belongs to the Horde!"
"No," says the human in Stormwind, "it belongs to Alliance!"
I knew a man once that rejected those answers! A man that chose the impossible!
That man was Genn Greymane and that impossible choice was Gilneas!
Oh Gilneas, I miss you so!Mr. D's Wild RideMr. P's Wild RideClarissaAliceBioshock InfiniteElizabeth BirdsongElizabethDark SoulsCracklefangSif from Dark SoulsDead SpaceDread Spacenone of the horrorDiablo

Kaganishu, a kobold in Borean Tundra, is a play on Rakanishu from Diablo II. Similar to the Diablo boss, the nearby NPCs will scream out his name in all caps in combat.

Razorclaw the Butcher in Shadowfang Keep references the iconic early boss of the same name in Diablo I, brought back as the Act I boss in Diablo III: The Butcher.

Tyrael Flamekissed is an General Goods vendor at the Shattered Sun Offensive.

Duke NukemDook OokemHozen-SlayerDungeons and DragonsKruskiconic half-orc barbarianFFVIIAerith PrimroseAeris GainsboroughHearthstoneShrine of Seven StarsShrine of Two MoonsHearthstoneJoustFlight in the FirelandsWave OneWave TwoEgg WaveJoustTwilight FirelanceKiller Instinct

Glacius: Glacius in Killer Instinct is a frosty being made out of ice and water. In WoW, Glacius is a water elemental that serves Summoner Kanthin.

Fulgorge: Fulgore is a powerful cyborg and in WoW, Fulgorge is the most powerful worm in Hellfire Peninsula.

Kingdom HeartsChief Engineer LorthanderKeybladeLost VikingsOlafEric "The Swift"BaelogMagic: The GatheringGruul the DragonkillerGruul ClansGruul RagebeastMortal Kombat

Xuen's daily quest chain (such as Round 1: Brewmaster Chani) has fighters who exclaim "Test your might" before each round.

The dwarves doing target practice by Kharanos, led by Angus and Shorty shout "Mortar Combat!"

Pikminblue Pikmin spritesGreat Vessel of SalvationPortalThinking with Portals - A Memorandum on Proper Portal UsageHigher Learninggame's catchphrasePlants vs ZombiesBasic BotanyFlower PowerGhouls Hate My GrainsSomeone Setup the Pumpkin BombLawn of the DeadWarden StillwaterDr. ZombossSewer SharkSegacediSewer SharkSinistarEssence of AngerSinistarSkyrimKoro MistwalkerUnsafe PassageStarCraftLord Marshal RaynorMarshal Jim RaynorStar Fox 64Do a Barrel Roll!Street Fighter

Lun-Chi: Name and attire (blue dress, white boots, white hair decorations, buns) resemble Chun Li.

Commander Jarrodenus: Exclaims "Haaadoouuuu…." and "Ken!" when casting Hadouken, which parallels the powerful Street Fighter ability.

Hadoken Swiftstrider: This elite warrior gives the quest Alpha Strike, which takes its name from the series Street Fighter Alpha and Street Fighter 3rd Strike.

Super Mario

After Cataclysm, Muigin and Larion now sit atop watch towers in Marshal's Stand. By switching the L and M of their names, you get Mario and Luigi.

They are dressed similarly--Muigin wears brown overalls with a green shirt (Luigi has blue overalls with a green shirt) and Larion wears red overalls with a blue shirt (Mario has blue overalls with a red shirt).

Before Cataclysm, these NPCs were also questgivers. In Larion and Muigin, you must kill various bloodpetal plants that resemble the Piranha Plants from Super Mario. In Zapper Fuel, the Unloaded Zapper is a reference to the NES Zapper.

Their dialogue options reference Super Mario gameplay like "I wish I could just jump down a pipe and escape them."

Team Fortress 2Segmentation Fault: Core DumpedHulking LabgoblinHeavy periodically saysAssistant GreelyTouhou"Commander" NazrimNazrinA Tiny, Clever Commander"Commander" NazrimUltimaSaygeUltima roleplaying gamesSaygeSayge's Dark Fortune of DamageXenogearsFleet Master SeahornThe Protectors of HyjalFleet Master SeahornCaptain of the ThamesZeldaLinkenThe Protectors of HyjalBrown HorseLegend of Zelda

It's a Secret to Everybody: The destroyed raft and Linken's lack of memory is reminiscent of the start of Link's Awakening. The name of the quest is what the Secret Moblin says to Link, who hides in various caves in Hyrule and keeps his friendly nature secret from the other Moblins.

It's a Secret to Everybody: You must retrieve items inside a satchel that resembles a bomb bag. This contains key items important to every Zelda dungeon--a compass, map, and key. The compass always points to the center of Un'Goro, which is reminiscent of how the compass helps you find bosses in Zelda dungeons. Also included is Faded Photograph, which shows Link and Zelda as gnomes outside of Stormwind/Hyrule.

It's a Secret to Everybody: After finding Link, he needs to upgrade his sword--a key component of any Zelda game. Donova strengthens his sword by throwing it in a magical hotspring, which is similar to how weapons are upgraded in A Link to the Past (magical fountain).

The Videre Elixir: In making the Videre Elixir, you need to buy Bait and drop it to distract Miblon Snarltooth to obtain the Evoroot. Miblon Snarltooth is an anagram for Moblin. In Legend of Zelda, a purchasable item called "meat" would serve as a lure for monsters. The icon for Bait even looks like ham and the vendor says "Buy somethin', will ya?" which is what the Legend of Zelda shopkeepers say as well.

Meet at the Grave: MEET THE OLD MAN AT THE GRAVE is a famous quote from Legend of Zelda.

A Grave Situation: In this questline, you have to push a tomestone--similar to moving tombstones for little rewards like hearts and rupees. To complete the quest, you must take your sword and place it in the stone, similar to putting the Master Sword in its pedestal in Ocarina of Time. You then return the upgraded sword to Linken in Linken's Sword.

A Gnome's Assistance and Linken's Memory: The glowing crystal cave is similar to being surrounded by lots of shiny rupees.

Silver Heart: This quest sends you to collect Silvery Claws and Irontree Heart in order to craft an item that destroys Blazerunner's immunity. To defeat Ganon in Legend of Zelda and A Link to the Past, you need to use a special silver arrow.

Aquementas: When looking for the location of Aquementas, you are guided by the clue "The eastmost peninsula is the secret…" which is similar to the clue given in the first temple of Legend of Zelda. The distinctive placement of the circle of stones also parallels the Zelda games using unusual grass/rock placements to signify a secret area. The name of the boss is also quite similar to Aquamentus, the first boss in Legend of Zelda, although the similarities end there.

Linken's Adventure: Named after the second Zelda game, The Adventure of Link.

It's Dangerous to Go Alone: The quest title is from the classic line of the series. After getting the Silver Totem of Aquementas (similar to silver arrows), you must dispel Blazerunner's aura on Fire Plume Ridge (similar to Death mountain), and defeat Blazerunner (parallels to Ganon) to obtain the Golden Flame which looks like a piece of the Triforce. Quest rewards include Spirit of Aquementas which resembles the Magical Rod, Linken's Boomerang which is a tribute to the powerful boomerang in all games, and Linken's Sword of Mastery which references the Master Sword.

DadangaBloodpetal SproutDadanga is Hungry!DodongoLegend of ZeldaHere Lies DadangaZero WingSetting Up the BombAll Your Base Are Belong to UsMusicABCWhen Smokey Sings, I Get ViolentWhen Smokey SingsAvenged SevenfoldReturned SevenfoldSignet of the Avenging HeartAvenged SevenfoldB-52sRock LobsterRock LobsterThe B-52sBachSebastiancomposer and organistBon JoviBad MedicineBad MedicineNew JerseyDaft PunkGuyo CrystalgearTivilix Bangaltersignature robot costumes and helmetsDead KennedysLady Dena KennedyDead KennedysDepeche Mode

The Death Knight pleasantry "Suffer well" is also the name of a song.

Master and Servant: "Master and Servant" is a single from Some Great Reward (1984).

Precious and Fragile Things Need Special Handling: "Precious is from the album Playing the Angel" and contains the lyrics "Precious and fragile things / Need special handling / My God what have we done to you / We always tried to share / The tenderest of care / Now look what we have put you through"

The Deadliest Trap Ever Laid: References these lyrics in "Home": "Here is a page / From the emptiest stage / A cage or the heaviest cross ever made / A gauge of the deadliest trap ever laid."

Jonathan the Revelator: Reference to "John the Revelator" from the album Playing the Angel.

Everything Counts In Large Amounts: "Everything Counts" (1983) features the lyrics "It's a competitive world / Everything counts in large amounts"

The Apple Falls and Destiny Calls are old rogue quests--one involves a bumbling rogue trying to impress the trainer in Darnassus, and the other is one of the trickiest quests players faced in early WoW. The names refer to lyrics in "The Bottom Line."

Jannok Breezesong quotes "The Bottom Line" as well when you speak to him in Teldrassil: "Like a cat dragged in fro the rain, you scratch and claw, then do it all over again... I'll be back for more... Oh, I didn't see you enter <Name>! What can I do for you?

Dave GrohlGrohl GrohlDave GrohlDuran Duran

Rio Duran: Her name references the song "Rio" by the band. If you talk to her during Free Your Mind, the Rest Follows, she says "They straddle the line in discord and rhyme" which is a lyric from "Hungry Like the Wolf" (1982).

Ian Duran: Reference to Ian Little, a record producer best known for working with Duran Duran.

Elton JohnEngineering CrewmemberExperimental PilotRocket ManExperimental Pilot says: All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go.
Engineering Crewmember says: The ship's not ready yet. We still need to calibrate the fuse length to make sure that it doesn't burn out and leave you up there alone.
Experimental Pilot says: You need to do what? All this science, I don't understand ... Look, this is just my job, five days a week.
Engineering Crewmember says: Essentially, it's going to be a long, long time till we are ready to launch. Maybe you should just head back home to your family.
Experimental Pilot says: I can't. I'm not the man they think I am at home. Besides, I didn't bring them out here.
Engineering Crewmember says: Why not? A family can give you strength.
Experimental Pilot says: This isn't the kind of place to raise your kids. It's cold, and there'd be no one to raise them.
Engineering Crewmember says: Couldn't you raise them?
Experimental Pilot says: Oh, no, no, no... I'm a rocket man.Elvis PresleyReturn to SenderReturn to SenderGirls! Girls! GirlsEmilie AutumnEmil AutumnEmilie AutumnEnchantErasureOpen Their EyesAlwaysRobot Unicorn AttackDelaris's PrismGeorge FisherGorge the CorpsegrinderGeorge Fisherin an interviewTank Ain't Gonna Fix ItselfGuns N' RosesWelcome to the JungleWelcome to the JungleAppetite for DestructionInsane Clown PosseMagnets, How Do They Work?MiraclesBang! Pow! Boom!James BrownBronjahmJames BrownJay-ZDancing for MarzipanInnkeeper SaelienneDancing for MarzipanInnkeeper Palaninety-nine problemsJethro TullBungle in the JungleBungle in the JungleWar ChildJohnny Cash/Nine Inch NailsEmpire of DirtHurtJohn DenverExperimental PilotLeaving on a Jet PlaneJonathan CoultonSkullcrusher the MountainSkullcrusher MountainWhere Tradition Meets TomorrowLady Gaga

Lady La-La: This rare NPC is a Naga wearing distinctive bling referencing Gaga's unique outfits--gold glasses, gold hair accessories, and a golden weapon.

She casts two abilities. Briny Romance references her hit song "Bad Romance" (2009). Siren's Song references "Just Dance" (2008).

There is a questline referencing the musician as well: Lady La-La's Medallion.

Led Zeppelin

Houses of the Holy: Houses of the Holy is the fifth studio album, as well as the name of a song from Physical Graffiti.

Crazed and Confused: "Dazed and Confused" is from the breakthrough debut album (1969).

Men at WorkCaretaker AlenDown UnderMetallicaRide the LightningRide the LightningOingo BoingoOingo BoingoDaniel UlfmanKarrel GrayvesSamuel FippsStephen BhartecOlivia Newton JohnOlivia BurnsideNewton BurnsideJohn BurnsideOlivia Newton JohnOzzy OsborneSee You on the Other SideSee You On the Other SideOzzmosisPeter GabrielThe Family and the Fishing PoleThe Family and the Fishing NetPeter GabrielPeter MurphyDeep Ocean, Vast SeaDeep Ocean Vast SeaDeepPink Floyd

The Delicate Sound of Thunder: Delicate Sound of Thunder is the name of a double live album recorded at the Nassau Colisseum in 1988.

Mobu says "I wanna go home... Take off this uniform and leave the Horde!" which is a reference to the lyrics in "Stop."

Floyd Pinkus is the innkeeper in Thrallmar.

Otonambusi: This vendor says "How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your fish? If you don't eat your fish, you can't have any pudding!" which is a reference to "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2:" "If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding. How can you have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat?"

Triage: When soldiers die on this first aid quest, they say "Goodbye all you people, I'm leaving you today...goodbye, goodbye, goodbye," which is taken from "Goodbye Cruel World" from the album The Wall.

Welcome to the Machine: "Welcome to the Machine" is from Wish You Were Here (1975).

In Welcome to the Machine, the quest description is "Come in here dear <boy/girl>, have a cigar. You're gonna go far and fly high as a ranking officer of the Forsaken. Yes, indeed, this is the good life and you are going to live it!" which references the opening lyrics of "Have a Cigar:" "Come in here, dear boy, have a cigar. / You're gonna go far, you're gonna fly high, / You're never gonna die, you're gonna make it if you try; they're gonna love you."

Queen

Red Blossom Leeks, You Make the Croc-in' World Go Down: Reference to the song "Fat-Bottomed Girls" from the album Jazz (1978).

A Kind of Magic: "A Kind of Magic" is the twelfth album by Queen, released in 1986.

Don't Lose Your Head: "Don't Lose Your Head" is the name of a song from A Kind of Magic.

Hammer to Fall: "Hammer to Fall" is the name of a song from the album The Works (1984).

We Will Rock You: "We Will Rock You" is the name of a song from the album News of the World (1977).

Under Pressure: "Under Pressure" is the name of a song from the album Hot Space (1981).

Another One Bites the Dust: "Another One Bites the Dust" is the name of a song from the album The Game (1980).

Death on Two Legs: "Death on Two Legs" is the name of a song from the album A Night at the Opera (1975).

Flash! Aaaaaahhhh!: "Flash" is the name of a song used in the film Flash Gordon.

Tear It Up: "Tear it Up" is the name of a song from the album The Works (1984).

All Dead, All Dead: "All Dead, All Dead" is the name of a song from the album News of the World (1977).

R.E.M.

Ambassador Berrybuck is named after two founding members of R.E.M--drummer Bill Berry and guitarist Peter Buck.

Standing next to him, Councilman Millstipe is named after other members--bassist Mike Mills and vocalist Michael Stipe.

They are related to Baroness Dorothea Millstipe and Lady Keira Berrybuck in Karazhan.

Run DMC

The Nefarious Clam Master...: THe objective of this quest is to kill Clam Master K, a reference to DJ Jam Mastery Jay

Ram Master Ray is the Horde Ram Racing Master for Brewfest.

RushRoll the Bonesfourteenth studio albumSamwellWhat? What? In My Gut...?What What (In the Butt)poop questsSiouxsie & the Banshees

Siouxsie the Banshee was the Death Knight trainer during Wrath's alpha, and now resides in the fittingly-goth Acherus.

Cities in Dust: References the song "Cities in Dust" from the album Tinderbox (1985).

Tsu'zee is a ghostly elf in Dire Maul who is flanked by several Eldreth Spirit that resemble banshees.

Smashing PumpkinsHuman CommonerTodayThe BeatlesA Little Help From My Friendsthis famous songRingoRingo StarrThe EaglesHotel California

Archmage Vargoth: In Netherstorm at the top of his cursed tower, he has different dialogue options that reference the song: "Plenty of room at the cursed Violet Tower. Any time of year, you can find it here, "And still their voices are calling from far away, waking me up in the middle of the night," and "Some scried to remember; some scried to forget."

Excerpts from the Journal of Archmage Vargoth: This book can be found on bookshelves in Dalaran's inn. The text is filled with references.
Such a lovely place: "Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place) / Such a lovely face"

Always distrustful of orcs, I thought to myself, "This could be heaven or this could be hell." : "And I was thinking to myself, / "This could be Heaven or this could be Hell"

Ner'zhul's reckless portals have torn Farahlon apart, it's green hills now quickly crumbling as the Twisting Nether corrupts the earth. I have to find a passage back to the place I was before! : "Last thing I remember, I was / Running for the door / I had to find the passage back / To the place I was before"

We gather daily for a feast conjured by Luminrath and Dathric's steely mageblade has managed to protect the village from intruders: "And in the master's chambers, / They gathered for the feast / They stab it with their steely knives, / But they just can't kill the beast."

Entry 1969) <This page is hastily scribbled, in stark contract to the perfect calligraphy of the earliest entries.>: "He said, "We haven't had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine"

An arcane golem guards the door below, programmed to aggrieve: "Relax, " said the night man, / "We are programmed to receive.

I can study all the books I want, but I can never leave! : "You can check-out any time you like, / But you can never leave!"

Vargoth's Copper CoinHigher LearningThe Schools of Arcane Magic - MasteryThe Ink SpotsTwilight ScorchlordI Don't Want To Set the World on FireWarrantSraazCherry PieHomemade Cherry Pie

Comments

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Comment by LordFedeYou really missed Katrina Turner in Gadgetzan :(Comment by IxuiNo Tednug and his cat Scratchfever? I'm dissapointed in you guys. =PComment by EdrallHaha, almost got all of 'em, :DComment by royalecheeseThe mechanics of this quest reference Joust, one of the original sidescroller video games.

Would Joust be considered a side-scrolling video game? Unlike Super Mario Bros. or Defender, Joust is more fixed screen, isn't it?

Either way, thanks for doing all of these.Comment by RuhigOh, wow, I never knew about the "Rocket Man" bit! That's fantastic! :DComment by drinibardhiSo many references.....can't Blizzard be more creative?Comment by NecroNoodleNothing for Thelonius?Comment by Izanagi4What about the Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann quests? D :Comment by FrpwYou forgot "The Cake Is Not a Lie" achievement, which is another reference to Portal.Comment by KyrethInside the new engi mount there is also that portrait of Kerrigan and it's easier to see it there :)Comment by shnook13I love all the references they put in this game. So great.Comment by JkpmanNot noticing the Queen references is a major blow to my ego. Excuse me while I go to my corner.Comment by LernaThere is a place in Nagrand, coords 71, 41. There is a crashed airplane with snake critters on. I assume it was a reverence to the movie Snakes on a Plane with Samuel L. Jackson. I don't know if anyone else picked up on it.

Edit: Oh and I forgot to mention all the Kung Fu Panda referances. ROFLComment by MaelynnSuch an extensive list, and it still gives me the feeling that you only barely scratched the surface, hahaha.

I loved to find out about that Emilie Autumn reference! A friend of mine once lent me her Enchant album and I was surprised I had never even heard of her, the music's pretty damn good. I should tell my friend about this reference, I'm sure she'll like it - she's such a fan that she put a lot of effort in getting her to give a concert in the Netherlands. ^^

One thing, though... the "see you on the other side" reference isn't originally from Ozzy Osbourne. Here's the thing:

In 1968, the Apollo 8 was set to orbit the Moon. The problem back then was that there would be no radio contact possible while the spacecraft was positioned behind the Moon (from the Earth's perspective), and people were afraid of what might happen in those 34 minutes. Ten seconds before radio contact would be lost, James Lovell (of the Apollo 8 crew) spoke the words, "see you on the other side". Ever since then, the quote has been widely used to express an air of confidence when at the treshold of something possibly dangerous with no definite outcome. In films, in songs, even in the military - very prominently so, even, which is why a lot of people have come to believe it's military jargon and originated there. It's also regularly abbreviated to SYOTOS.

(source: http://www.history.nasa.gov/SP-350/ch-9-5.html)Comment by TylorlastorThere's a questgiver in Borean Tundra named George Corpsegrinder
A reference to the death metal band Cannibal Corpse' vocalist, George 'Corpsegrinder' Fisher.
He's a big WoW fan as he's stated in several interviews. :)Comment by Zabra666Absolutely looves all of the Pink Floyd references...I'm a hugh fan of all their work !

Nice work with this :)Comment by ShylianI still think "Slim" the SHADY dealer outside Manatombs is kinda obviousComment by RoguesaxaphoneAlso Zild'jian or whatever, a reference to the cymbals making company. Badum pssst. Unlike the Slim Shady reference, this one wasn't so obvious. The name does make a good troll name.Comment by Zabra666Nicely noticed......Zildjian is actually a very cool troll name :) (And highly appreciated cymbals btw...yes i'm a drummer)Comment by sushibarDidn't see this one in the list above: Cranky Chicken
Supposed to be a reference to Zelda..

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