Hi there,

If you visit this site because you saw something

referencing a Nintendo product in my upcoming game

then this post is right for you.

First of all, I am aware of all the lawsuits that

happened in the past related to creating fangames

of popular IPs. I understand the reasoning

behind those decisions to threaten the creators

with legal action, but my Split Social game is not a

fangame.

Split Social is an RPG satirizing pop culture and

media. There is not a single mention of a Nintendo

IP in the game, or any other real world gaming

company for that matter. All the references in my

game are used for either critical analysis or

satirical purpose. We do suggest a similarity of a

Nintendo product or a franchise, such as naming one

of our in-game companies ‘Setendo’. And calling the

portable system ‘GameRock’, that is satirizing the

GameBoy system. But we never refer to any real

properties, so our game does not fall in the realm

of parody even, but still in fair use.

To show that I made my research, here are numerous

examples of how other popular brands and multimedia

series have used Nintendo references in their own

works or products. Some are even using the exact

model from Nintendo releases or saying the official

Nintendo’s console name in their work without

specific permission from Nintendo (from what I

understand).

Steven Universe and Uncle Grandpa (Cartoon Network)

playing the Dolphin console (GameCube’s original

name).

GameCube reference again in another episode of

Steven Universe, with some game resembling Zelda and

another game from Nintendo’s catalogue.

Smiling Friends (Adult Swim)

In one episode the main cast goes to a vacation

house where there is a GameCube system with Super

Monkey Ball. Here, the names are not even changed,

so they are named as the official Nintendo console

and the Sega game.

Here is the game series, Danganronpa. And it is also

an anime series.

The character Chiaki Nanami is a gamer girl from

Danganronpa 2 game. She has plethora of various

gaming systems from all sorts of companies. Some

are more obvious than others. So this is a good

example of satirical art, since they never use the

official real world company names, only mimicking

their appeal.

In the show, there is even a GameBoy Advance type

system so obvious the company is even called

‘Nantendo’.

In the Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School – Despair Arc anime (specifically Episode 2), there is a direct reference to Super Smash Bros.. Danganronpa Wiki

• The Scene: In the second episode of the Despair Arc, the characters are in their classroom and are shown playing video games, including Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, Mario Party, and Bomberman.
• Context: Kazuichi Soda is seen excitedly talking about how great a monitor is while his classmates are completely engrossed in playing these games.
• Other Gaming References: The Danganronpa franchise often makes pop-culture references, including nods to Splatoon in Danganronpa V3 and other gaming references. Reddit +1

Nintendo references are frequent in anime, ranging from subtle console cameos to direct shout-outs to games and characters. These nods often appear in slice-of-life, comedy, or gaming-focused series to establish a character’s hobby or a 1990s/2000s setting. YouTube +3

Here are notable Nintendo references in popular anime series:

Direct Mentions & Consoles

• Let’s Play (2025): The series features a game designer character who dreams of visiting “Funtendo” headquarters and meeting game creator “Shigeru Hiyamoto“.
• AnoHana: The Flower We Saw That Day: Features an entire episode where the characters play Pokémon games to complete the Pokédex.
• Gintama: Features the “Owee” arc, a direct parody of the Nintendo Wii launch, where characters wait in line for the “Bentendo Owee” and one character disguises themselves as Mario.
• Highschool DxD (Season 2): A Nintendo GameCube is visible in one of the episodes.
• Sakura Trick: Features a parody console that is a hybrid of a Wii and a Kinect.
• Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku: The first episode prominently displays a screen showing Monster Hunter. Reddit +3

Nintendo references are frequent in popular cartoon series, ranging from direct cameos of characters like Mario and Donkey Kong to subtle nods to games like The Legend of Zelda and console hardware. Popular examples include The Simpsons, Family Guy, The Powerpuff Girls, Adventure Time, and South Park. YouTube +3

The Simpsons

• Game Boy: In a 1992 episode, Bart is seen playing a Game Boy.
• Funtendo Zii: A parody of the Wii, appearing in multiple episodes.
• Mario & Friends: Bart imagines Mario, Luigi, and Donkey Kong encouraging him to steal a video game in “Marge Be Not Proud”.
• Mario Kart: In “Lisa Gets an F1,” Homer dreams that he and other characters are racing on Rainbow Road.
• Donkey Kong: In “Homer and Ned’s Hail Mary Pass,” Homer throws trash cans at Mario in a parody of the Donkey Kong arcade game. Nintendo Wiki Nintendo +1

Family Guy

• Mario’s Life: In “Lois Comes Out of her Shell,” Mario appears to save Stewie and reflects on his life, saying, “I jump on the turtle, Stewie. It’s not an exciting life, but it’s my life”.
• NES: Peter plays the NES version of Donkey Kong with Chris in “Single White Dad”.
• Mario Costumes: Brian and Stewie dress as Mario and Luigi in “Fertilized Meg”. Nintendo Wiki (Fandom) +2

The Powerpuff Girls (Original Series)

• N64 & Zelda: The Mayor plays The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on a Nintendo 64 in “Child Fearing”.
• Console Appearance: The girls are seen playing on a Nintendo 64 in “Best Rainy Day Adventure Ever” and “Hot Air Buffoon”. Nintendo Wiki (Fandom)

Adventure Time

• Ricardo: A villain whose final form resembles Majora from The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask.
• Game References: The show features various nods to gaming culture throughout its run. YouTube +1

The Amazing World of Gumball 

• Mario Parody: In “The Uncle,” Ocho’s uncle is a parody of Mario, and Gumball slides down a flagpole.
• Game References: Numerous references to Mario and Zelda are incorporated by the creators. YouTube +2

Other Notable Mentions

• South Park: Frequently satirizes Nintendo, famously featuring Cartman freezing himself to wait for the Wii release.
• Regular Show: Features an arcade game called “Broken Bones,” a satire of Excite Bike, and a “Maximum Glove” that resembles the Power Glove.
• Gravity Falls: Features a character re-enacting a Donkey Kong level and references to The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
• Steven Universe: Features a console resembling an N64, and games like Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda in Steven’s library.
• The Loud House: A car chase in “Pulp Friction” is similar to Mario Kart.
• Amphibia: Features a Nintendo Switch, references to The Legend of Zelda (Hylian Shield, Master Sword), Mario Kart (Spiny Shell), and Earthbound. Reddit +3

Live-Action/Sitcom References

• The Big Bang Theory: Features the characters playing Mario Kart Wii, a GameCube, and mentions of a robbed apartment containing a NES, SNES, N64, and Wii.
• Full House: The family becomes addicted to a game on the Super Nintendo.
• House: Dr. Gregory House is sometimes seen playing a Nintendo DS. Nintendo Wiki Nintendo