The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is a remaster of the 2011 game Skyward Sword released on the Nintendo Switch. It was officially announced via a Nintendo Direct webcast on February 17, 2021 and was released on July 16, 2021.[3]
The remaster features enhanced graphics and improved quality-of-life features.
Contents
- 1 Changes and Additions
- 1.1 Graphics
- 1.2 Gameplay Elements
- 1.3 Miscellaneous Changes
- 2 Development
- 3 Speedrun Records
- 4 Listings
- 5 Reception
- 5.1 Sales
- 6 Nomenclature
- 7 Gallery
- 7.1 Video Gallery
- 8 Notes
- 9 External Links
- 10 References
Changes and Additions
Graphics
The game now has a standard resolution of 1080p and runs at 60 FPS[4] while in docked mode and 720p, 30 FPS while in handheld mode. This increased frame rate provides smoother, more precise movement controls during gameplay.
Gameplay Elements
Players can choose to replace motion controls with button controls, allowing the game to be played in both handheld mode and on the Nintendo Switch Lite.[5] The camera can be fully manipulated with the right stick when playing with motion controls or by also pressing the L button while playing with button controls or in handheld mode.
Most of Fi's advice is now optional and must be triggered manually. Dialogues can be fast-forwarded by pressing the A Button, and skipped entirely by pressing the B Button, and cutscenes can be skipped with the Select Button (which initially was a Hero Mode-exclusive feature in the original game). Instead of interrupting, some characters now have a speech bubble over them when wanting to talk to Link. Item information only appears the first time an Item is obtained, with the lone exception of Gratitude Crystals. The introduction of the game has been made faster; for instance, Link does not need to talk to Horwell the second time during the climbing tutorial.
The game now has an autosave feature. As a result, the option of saving after completing a Dungeon has been removed. When using a Bird Statue, it is now possible to save to any of the three save files. Hero Mode can now also be saved into its own save slot when unlocked.
The game also features amiibo support. By using the Zelda & Loftwing amiibo, Link can travel between saved points in the Sky and on the surface.[6]
Miscellaneous Changes
- The file select screen has been altered from the original's offset colored feathers to a set of vertically centered rectangles, visually resembling the layouts of the file select systems in Breath of the Wild and Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch, including an image of where the game was last saved for each file. In addition, a fourth slot dedicated to the game's new autosave feature is located above the others.
- The interface options are available from the start, rather than being unlocked right before Link descends to the Sealed Grounds for the first time. As a result, Fi's dialogue that unlocked it in the original no longer includes the part about said options.[7] In addition, there are only two options instead of the original three, with "Normal" most closely resembling the "Light" option from the original and "Simple" largely corresponding to "Pro," and no equivalent to the original's "Standard" setting. Because of this, certain HUD elements, such the Goddess Harp and the Map and Gear buttons, no longer exist.
- Link's Rupee count is now on the bottom left of the screen, instead of beneath the shield durability meter as it was previously.
- Character names have been added during dialogue. Fi, Ghirahim and Impa are not initially identified until their names are revealed.[8][9][10]
- The character icons seen on the map have been revamped.
- Upon retrieving Mia from the Knight Academy's roof, Horwell will now give Link a Red Rupee as a reward.
- The Sheikah Stone and all its functions have been removed entirely.
- Various areas like the Thunderhead (before Bilocyte is defeated) and Tentalus' boss arena now have a rain effect attached to the camera.
- The game-breaking glitch in the original release that required downloading a dedicated Wii channel to fix has been removed entirely.
Development
This section of the page is incomplete. You can help Zelda Wiki by expanding it.
Skyward Sword HD was officially announced during the February 17, 2021 Nintendo Direct.[3]
Speedrun Records
Main article: Speedrun Records
| Category | Runner | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any% | Jasnix08 | 3h 59m 33s | October 5, 2022 |
| 100% | DJCarmichael | 8h 27m 6s | July 27, 2021 |
| 100% (New Game+) | gymnast86 | 6h 23m 25s | November 17, 2021 |
| Obtain the Goddess's Harp | Jasnix08 | 1h 24m 31s | June 27, 2022 |
Listings
This section of the page is incomplete. You can help Zelda Wiki by expanding it.
Reception
Sales
As of March 2022, Skyward Sword HD for Nintendo Switch has sold 3.91 million copies worldwide.[11]
Nomenclature
 Names in Other Regions  | ||
|---|---|---|
| Language | Names | |
| This table was generated using translation pages. To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference. | ||
Gallery
Video Gallery
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Notes
- ↑ As the original Skyward Sword is canon, this automatically qualifies Skyward Sword HD to be canon.
External Links
Official North American Website
References
- ↑ Daniel Vuckovic, Aussie developers Tantalus return to Hyrule with Skyward Sword HD , Vooks, published July 14, 2021, retrieved October 4, 2022.
- ↑ "Release date: Jul 16, 2021" — Nintendo, The Legend of Zelda™: Skyward Sword HD , Nintendo, published February 17, 2021, retrieved February 17, 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Nintendo, Nintendo Direct - 2.17.2021 , YouTube(video), published February 17, 2021, retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ↑ Andy Robinson, Zelda: Skyward Sword is coming to Switch with 60fps graphics and new controls , VGC, published February 17, 2021, retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ↑ "But, we've also made it possible to play the game with button controls to ensure it can be played in handheld mode or on the Nintendo Switch Lite system." —Eiji Aonuma (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD – Announcement Trailer – Nintendo Switch.)
- ↑ Nintendo, Introducing the Zelda & Loftwing amiibo – The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD , YouTube(video), published May 18, 2021, retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ↑ "Another subject to discuss, Master... Once you are accustomed to the controls, you are free to modify the on-screen interface. On the Gear Screen, select Interface to change the on-screen display to suit your preferences." — Fi (Skyward Sword)
- ↑ BeardBear, Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (Switch) - Full Game Walkthrough , YouTube(video), published July 18, 2021, retrieved July 19, 2021.
- ↑ BeardBear, Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (Switch) - Full Game Walkthrough , YouTube(video), published July 18, 2021, retrieved July 19, 2021.
- ↑ BeardBear, Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (Switch) - Full Game Walkthrough , YouTube(video), published July 18, 2021, retrieved July 19, 2021.
- ↑ Financial Results Explanatory Material , Nintendo.
Games in The Legend of Zelda Series
Main SeriesSpin-OffOther The Legend of Zelda (Series) The Legend of Zelda• The Adventure of Link• A Link to the Past ()• Link's Awakening (DX; Nintendo Switch)• Ocarina of Time (Master Quest; 3D)• Majora's Mask (3D)• Oracle of Ages• Oracle of Seasons• Four Swords (Anniversary Edition)• The Wind Waker (HD)• Four Swords Adventures• The Minish Cap• Twilight Princess (HD)• Phantom Hourglass• Spirit Tracks• Skyward Sword (HD)• A Link Between Worlds• Tri Force Heroes• Breath of the Wild• Tears of the Kingdom • The Legend of Zelda Game Watch• Heroes of Hyrule• Link's Crossbow Training• My Nintendo Picross: Twilight Princess• Cadence of Hyrule• Vermin CD-i Games The Faces of Evil• The Wand of Gamelon• Zelda's Adventure Hyrule Warriors Series Hyrule Warriors (Legends; Definitive Edition)• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Satellaview Games BS The Legend of Zelda• Ancient Stone Tablets Tingle Series Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland• Tingle's Balloon Fight DS• Too Much Tingle Pack• Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love SoulCalibur II• WarioWare Series• Captain Rainbow• Nintendo Land• Scribblenauts Unlimited• Mario Kart 8• Splatoon 3 Super Smash Bros. Super Smash Bros (Series) Super Smash Bros.• Super Smash Bros. Melee• Super Smash Bros. Brawl• Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Category:Games
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