SNL's New Zelda and GTA 6 Sketch Prompts Former Nintendo Staff to Recall Musk Wario Controversy

Key points

• SNL aired a sketch featuring Link and Jason arguing about their respective games, released ahead of the November 19 launch of GTA 6 and the November 5 release of the Zelda remake.
• Former Nintendo employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang stated that a 2021 SNL sketch depicting Elon Musk as Wario in a courtroom was 'not received well' by Nintendo staff.
• The 2021 sketch included controversial material such as references to Mario using drugs and blurred images of Luigi, which Ellis described as 'uncomfortable' for the company.
• Nintendo has no involvement in SNL sketches but maintains a dedicated communications team that liaises with late-night show producers to ensure access to game information and proper representation.
• Yang and Ellis praised the custom-made costume for Link in the new sketch but described the skit itself as 'generally fine' and 'a little cringey,' noting it was not as humorous as previous parodies.

Background

Nintendo has a history of appearing in pop culture and media parodies. While the company often has no direct involvement in these segments, it has expressed displeasure with certain portrayals in the past. The current situation highlights the tension between corporate brand management and the legal protections afforded to satire and parody under U.S. copyright law.

How outlets are covering it

Eurogamer and GoNintendo both report that former Nintendo employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang criticized the 2021 Elon Musk Wario sketch, describing it as 'uncomfortable' and 'not received well' at the company. Both outlets note that Nintendo had no involvement in the sketch but maintains a close relationship with SNL producers. Yahoo's coverage is largely obscured by technical code, but its headline aligns with the other sources, confirming the narrative that the Musk skit was poorly received by Nintendo. All sources agree that the new Zelda and GTA 6 sketch was viewed more neutrally by the former employees, with Yang calling it 'generally fine' but not particularly funny.

Why it matters

This incident underscores the ongoing challenge for major gaming companies in managing their brand image in the face of satirical media. While Nintendo has no legal recourse against parodies, the reactions of former employees highlight the internal sensitivity to how the company's intellectual property is portrayed. The close communication between Nintendo and SNL producers suggests a proactive approach to managing future content, even if past incidents cannot be controlled.

What to watch

The release of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is scheduled for November 5, 2026, and Grand Theft Auto VI is set for November 19, 2026. The PC release of GTA 6 is expected in Q1 2027. Nintendo's communications team will likely continue to monitor late-night shows and other media for potential portrayals of their games, though they have no legal means to prevent satirical content.