The Legend of Zelda franchise is one of the most iconic and enduring video game series of all time. For the most part, each main-line entry has proved successful on every system it has ever launched on, with several of them ending up in countless top ten video games of all time lists. While many of their games follow the same patterns and progression, the developers have been known to introduce new mechanics with each entry–whether it is the three-day cycle of Majora’s Mask, the weapon durability of Breath of the Wild, touch controls with Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, or, most infamously, the motion controls of Skyward Sword. With the recent release of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD for the Nintendo Switch, the question on everyone’s mind is–is Skyward Sword HD most enjoyable with motion control or button-only mode?
When Skyward Sword first released in 2011, there were essentially two camps of fans–those who loved the game and the innovations that Nintendo brought to the table, specifically with regard to motion controls, and those who absolutely hated the control scheme and put the game down after only a couple of hours. In fact, Skyward Sword has remained one of the most divisive games in the entire series.
So, when Nintendo announced Skyward Sword HD, the first thing they talked about was the fact that there would be a secondary control scheme for the game–one tied to the right joystick that completely replaced motion controls. Now, we have a Zelda game that has removed the most controversial aspect of the original and re-opened the door for countless players to give the game another try.
Personally, I absolutely loved Skyward Sword when it initially released. The music, the characters, the story, the aesthetic, the dungeons–it was everything I wanted in a Zelda game and more. That being said, with all the love I had for the game, there was one thing I didn’t love–motion controls. I didn’t hate them, but they annoyed me enough that, after a while, I put the game down and never picked it up again. Until the remake released, and I honestly haven’t been able to put it down. Though the button-only controls aren’t perfect, they have made the game so much more enjoyable to me. The controls no longer get in the way of my enjoyment of the game, and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite Zelda titles of all time.
So, for those of you who have started Skyward Sword HD, how are you playing it? Have you tried both control schemes? Which is more enjoyable to you? Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation on the Boss Rush Discord.
Featured Image Source: ZeldaDungeon, NintendoUK
Leave a Reply