I started thinking about this when I got talking Zelda with these two Saudis, that and my Master Sword replica is made in Pakistan.
But as for Zelda you have to see the Crusade references. Gerudos have Arabic architecture, live int he desert, have all the racist stereotypes. Why you even here an Islaamic prayer in the OoT fire temple if you have the gold cartridge or first release grey cart. In fact in older games Link has a cross on his shield.
Okay the time period is obvious. Especailly if you played the 12 stone tablets game for B Satteleview were you play baseball cap wearing kids sent back in time to Hyrule. But there is plenty more than that.
My question is are the Hylains an archetype medeival Christains in fairy tales and Gerudos aincent Arabians?
So obviously there are some differences. Especailly in American versions. Three goddesses and all that jazz but a lot of it seems to correspond. Remember it's just a story and Miyamoto didn't know to much about European history. He learned as much about knights in school as we learned about Ninjas and Samurai.
Lets see what I got so far.
1. The 1 dungeon strategy map that came with the game was called "Bible" in Japan.
2. Hot Topic may not carry it on their shirts but NES Link had a cross on his shield.
3. In OoT Gold cartridge and first edition grey there was a chant in the fire temple set to the background music which was removed when American Magazine EGM pointed it out befor the release of the players choice versions. If I'm not mistaken this dungeon deep inside Death mountain, a traditional hangout for Ganondorf and obviously full of Arabic architecture (flying buttresses, etc.) had quite a few hints toward it's arabic designs outside of the chant. (If I'm not mistaken it was Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Laa Ilaaha illa llah Wa llahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Wa li'llahi al-hamd, which is what a user told me all I recognized myself was the phrase Allah Akbar which I'm pretty sure translates to "God {Allah} is Greatest")
4. It's more than just just the stereotype of desert gypsies carrying curved arabic swords performing arabic dances, and wearing arabic outfits in the desert. The Gerudos fit most every preconceived notion of aincent Arabian culture. My only question is why Shiek helps the royal family considering it is a title of respect in the Arabic world. Even their architecture is full of flying butresses and other things pioneered by middle eastern architects.
5. Did i mention how they changed the mirror shield? look at the origanel. Star and cresecent moon means something doesn't it? (perhaps Islam?)
6. Even the old Japanese Great fairies in OoT resembled angels pretty heavily.
Counterpoints are welcome and I know the obvious Japanese refrences and the three goddesses (although that could be considered a freaky take on a trinity).
Disclaimer: I'm not trying to offend any culture or religion just pointing out similarities. I'm just saying it sounds like the setting is medieval Europe and the holy land. It sounds like an old Medieval legend to me is all. Even if the gameplay is based on Miyamoto's junior spelunking near his home town.
Linear Mode
