This analysis will look at the inclusion of religious and spiritual elements, with emphasis on Christianity, in the writing and development of The Legend of Zelda series. In doing so, this analysis will consider what purpose the writers of Nintendo aim to achieve through such inclusions, specifically how Christianity plays a role in the development of the series. 

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Many video game creators understand the immense effects of incorporating religious and spiritual aspects in gameplay. Studies have shown that the inclusion of religious and spiritual elements in video game developments can have a positive effect on the player by establishing a deeper investment in the quest, narrative, and world that the video game is portraying [#]. 

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So, what is Christianity?

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Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. It is Christianity's belief that, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, a relationship with God is possible, for God's forgiveness was made through the death and ascension of Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity. Other central doctrines of Christianity include: 1) belief in the Holy Trinity; God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit; 2) the holiness of the church and the communion of saints; and, 3) the second coming, the Day of Judgement and salvation of the faithful [#].

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In general, religion is significantly intertwined with culture, and is an essential component of the human condition. Studies have suggested that religious beliefs have a tremendous impact on an individual's sociology and psychology [#].  

 

Why religion in video games?

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Video games use a combination of danger, adventure, audacious characters, an intricate plot, and visually satisfying depictions, with an overall goal of placing the player inside the game, thus soliciting a profound and compelling experience [#]. Having once struggled for legitimacy as a cultural product, today video games are recognized as both art and business [#]. Thus, video games progressively incorporate religion as the foundation of their design and gameplay [#], not only to establish artistic recognition, but to also  captivate its audience on a profound level. 

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Why religion in The Legend of Zelda series?

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In interviews, the original creator of The Legend of Zelda series, Shigeru Miyamoto, has stated that his inspiration for the development of the video game's setting and narrative was encouraged by his own childhood memories of exploring a bamboo forest behind a Shinto shrine, whilst discovering a small cavern which led to ancient chambers. Although no longer creating for Nintendo, Miyamoto did set the foundation for The Legend of Zelda series, having developed 9 of the first 11 video games, including popular titles such as, The Legend of Zelda, The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

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This analysis will consider whether the writers of Nintendo intentionally include elements of religion and spirituality in The Legend of Zelda video game developments in order to encourage a deeper gaming experience, thus attracting a larger customer base. This analysis will focus on the religion of Christianity, while exploring the inclusion of Christian themes, imagery, and symbolism within the series, while considering the affect that such writing tactics have on the psychology of the player.  

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