Highlights
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD on the Nintendo Switch features several upgrades, including toned-down hand-holding, an autosave feature, and multiple control options.
- Compared to other Zelda games like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Skyward Sword HD offers a wider breadth of motion mechanics and control options, with the ability to switch between button-based and motion-based controls.
- The success and potential of Skyward Sword HD's motion controls may indicate their return in a future Zelda title, with the next game possibly offering a hybrid control scheme and further enhancing the sword combat and item manipulation experience.
Beyond The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, the Nintendo Switch built up a solid stable of Zelda spin-offs. From Breath of the Wild's own side game Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity to the Crypt of the NecroDancer crossover Cadence of Hyrule, there's something for everyone. Among these is the remastered The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, an upgraded version of the former Wii exclusive. Skyward Sword HD had many more upgrades than its title might suggest, however.
In addition to letting Skyward Sword's stylized visuals shine at a higher resolution, several changes separated it from its old self. The game's hand-holding and interruptions from Fi were toned down, an autosave and skipping cutscenes were added, and owners of Skyward Sword's Loftwing Zelda amiibo were controversially given access to limited fast travel. However, most notable among Skyward Sword HD's new features were its multiple control options. The original game was built around the Wii's motion tracking, so the ability to play without them was a shocking change. Despite that, the original motion controls were still present, and may hint at their return in a future Zelda title.
How Motion Controls Work In Recent Zelda Games
As the Nintendo Switch still supports motion controls, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have made some use of them. However, they don't compare to the wide breadth of motion mechanics and control options in Skyward Sword HD. Comparing the different games, two distinct approaches to the concept emerge.
How Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Use Motion Controls
The open world Zelda games share most of their motion control functionality, and use it to supplement mechanics already covered by buttons. Exceptions include using the Switch's gyro sensor to manually aim Link's bows and thrown weapons, as well as rotating certain puzzle devices found in and around Shrines. Strangely enough, BotW's Magnesis and TotK's Ultrahand's own controls for moving and rotating items don't have motion-based options.
How Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Uses Motion Controls
Skyward Sword HD couldn't be more different, as players can swap between button-based and motion-based control schemes at any time. As Skyward Sword was meant to demonstrate the 1:1 capabilities of the Wii Motion Plus, players with motion controls on will use them for almost everything. From Link's sword matching the player's swings, to balancing on ropes, to pointing the sword in first-person for dowsing, motion controls were a constant in Skyward Sword. Unique abilities like controlling whether a bomb is thrown or rolled and finely manipulating items like the Whip and the Beetle made Skyward Sword a special experience.
The Next Legend of Zelda Could Bring Motion Controls Back
The untapped potential in Skyward Sword's motion controls could signal their return in a future Zelda title. Chances are that the Nintendo Switch 2 will not receive a mainline Zelda until a few years into its life, but the inevitable game could support the multiple control schemes that Skyward Sword HD tested. Presuming that the Switch 2 also has Joy-Con remotes, players could choose to interact with the game similarly to Skyward Sword.
A title designed from the ground up to support hybrid controls likely wouldn't have as many sections dedicated to them as Skyward Sword, but their presence has advantages. In particular, Zelda items and weapons benefit from motion controls, and those accustomed to Skyward Sword's combat sometimes champion it as the best in the series. Fine sword control and tightly aimed items feels satisfying and allows for lifelike solutions to combat and environmental puzzles. With the benefit of feedback from Skyward Sword HD's control solutions, the next Zelda game could take Skyward Sword's greatest strength even further.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
The Nintendo Wii saw the release of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, an adventure that made use of the motion controller, allowing players to hack and slash through enemies with the Wii Remote. Although Skyward Sword wasn't as prominent during its release as some other Zelda titles, it has sense developed a cult following and is regarded by many as one of the better adventures in the series.
- Franchise
- The Legend of Zelda
- Platform(s)
- Wii
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
