This summer, Nintendo is givingThe Legend of Zeldafans the chance to experience one of the franchise’s most famous and influential entries.The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HDbringsZelda’s origin story to Nintendo Switch with sharpened graphics and new control schemes for those who’d prefer to pass on motion controls, an aspect ofSkyward Swordthat not everyone looks back on fondly. In terms of storytelling andZeldagameplay innovation, though,Skyward Swordis an excellent milestone in the franchise’s history. Fans would do well to revisit this game ahead ofBreath of the Wild 2’s release next year, especially consideringSkyward Sword’s impact onBreath of the Wild.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Swordactually wasan unorthodoxZeldagamein a lot of ways beyond motion controls. Fans remember it for things like flying around on Link’s Loftwing and working creatively with the Master Sword, but it also introduced some new items and mechanics that were a little more obscure.Skyward Sword HDwill be a great way to rediscover these mechanics and put them to use a second time. After all, remakes and remasters are a great way to revisit their mechanics and explore their potential from a new perspective. Here are a few ofSkyward Sword’s ideas that some fans may not have focused on.
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Skyward Sword’s Equipment and Crafting Systems
Link doesn’t always stick to wieldingthe Master Sword and the Hylian ShieldinZeldagames. The Biggoron Sword inOcarina of Timeis just one particularly famous example.Skyward Sword,however, put a very heavy emphasis on the equipment that players chose to make Link wield, and it was a little more sophisticated than some fans might remember. InSkyward Sword,the wooden shield that Link starts with is no good against fire in Eldin Volcano, but the iron shield is weak to lightning in Lanayru Desert. Later on, Link also gets the choice of a weak but self-repairing sacred shield, giving players lots of equipment options. These shields, as well as much of Link’s other equipment, can be upgraded as long as Link gathers the necessary resources; carrying certain Medals will help players gather the Rupees and resources necessary.
Stronger shields and bigger ammo bags aren’t the only things Link can craft.Skyward Swordalso offers players much more libertyin crafting potions than mostZeldagames. Naturally healing potions are crucial to Link’s journey, but he can also pick up potions that protect him from damage, let him breathe underwater, or restore durability to his shields. Admittedly, some ofSkyward Sword’s potions are a little expensive to craft, but they can be lifesavers in a pinch. Link can find other Medals that’ll increase the potency of potions and help him find bugs. In spite ofSkyward Sword’s crafting innovations, it’s a relatively small part of the game and sometimes non-essential, so some fans might not have explored it very deeply. ASkyward SwordHD playthrough is a great opportunity to revisit crafting and make more use of it.
Skyward Sword’s Most Elusive Minigames
The Legend of Zeldaloves minigames, andSkyward Swordis no exception. Players flying around the skies can meet NPCs that encourage them to skydive or perform with a harp in search of prizes. However, a coupleSkyward Swordminigames are particularly out of Link’s way, but well worth traveling to. Way out in the thunderhead, Link can find his classmate Strich, a gangly young man who loves bugs. He has some bug-themed challenges that Link can complete in exchange for some rare bugs as a prize. Bugs don’t seem like remarkable loot at a glance, but inSkyward Sword,they’re crucial loot because they can be used to brew some ofSkyward Sword’s strongest potions. Strich’s minigame is well worth the journey in the long run.
There’s another minigame in Lanayru Desert that’s particularly worth Link’s time. After he meets the Thunder Dragon, Link can revisit him to play the Thunder Dragon’s Lightning Round. It’s a boss rush where Link will earn prizes based on how manySkyward Swordbosses the player can beat in succession. Doing well enough in the Lightning Round will earn Link the Hylian Shield, which isthe only indestructible shield inSkyward Sword.Many players might have missed out on the Thunder Dragon’s Lightning Round because it’s unlocked pretty late into the game, so the remaster is a perfect opportunity to go back and give it a try.
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Making the Most of the Master Sword
Motion controls were the name of the game inSkyward Sword,since it wasa star title for the Wii. Because of that, Nintendo tried new things with the Goddess Sword and Master Sword and gave Link a much more dynamic fighting style than most previousZeldagames permitted. For instance, thrusting and stabbing is a very important part ofSkyward Sword, sometimes essential for defeating certain enemies. However, stabbing with motion controls could be a little unwieldy, so players probably didn’t use it in general combat much. Even so, stabbing and other moves like the vertical spin demonstrate how hard Nintendo tried to makeSkyward Sword’s combat unique in theZeldaseries.Skyward Sword HD’s new button controls might make stabbing more viable and helpful.
Those aren’t the only new ideas Nintendo had for Link’s sword. ThroughoutThe Legend of Zelda,Link’s sword can frequently shoot beams of lightwhen he’s at full health. InSkyward Sword,however, Link can charge his sword with light at any time and use the beams both to fight and to activate holy sites. There’s one more rare functionality for Link’s sword: in certain places, he can draw on Goddess Walls to get free items, including hearts, rupees, and arrows. Goddess Walls are uncommon, but they’re worth looking out for as a quick, cheap way to stock up on supplies.
Skyward Swordis a game of big ideas. Its combat and equipment systems changed dramatically from previous games, and it introduced fun new mechanics like flying around Skyloft. Althoughnot everyone agrees onSkyward Sword’s execution, there’s no doubt that Nintendo brought a lot of good concepts to the table and delivered interesting experiences through them.Breath of the Wildalso suggests that Nintendo still looks back onSkyward Swordin a lot of ways and believes in those ideas.Skyward Sword HDmight offer a sharper way of playing with Nintendo’s ideas. It’s good to seeThe Legend of Zelda’s origin story getting ported to a new platform, because it’s definitely worth experiencing again.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HDreleases for Nintendo Switch on June 14, 2025.
