In Donkey Kong Country 3, Bazaar the Bear talks about Link from the Legend of Zelda series visiting his shop and asking about the local castle. Alongside a reference to Rupees, the currency of that series, Bazaar mentions that Link muttered something about his "shells being the wrong shape". This is a very specific reference that not even all fans of the Zelda series may understand, and requires having played The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening in particular.
In that game, Link can collect Secret Seashells, which unlock the optional Koholint Sword (that game's equivalent to the Master Sword). The shells in that game are conch-shaped, while the one Bazaar sells in his shop is clam-shaped, so Link would not be able to use it.
Source: DKC3 (NA, SNES), LADX (NA, GBC)
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