There’s always been a lot of debate surrounding The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword‘s motion controls, but my current playthrough of the 2023 HD remaster has helped settle the matter for me.
I’m not sure I can experience the game any other way.
When Nintendo first announced that it would offer a traditional controlling approach to Skyward Sword, I was ecstatic. To me, the game had always been a gem stuck behind awkward controls.
I only lasted a few play sessions before I found myself switching back to the “awkward controls” I hated so much. Having spent several hours trying to relearn the controls, I found myself with a newfound appreciation for the motion controls.
It’s hard to explain why, but it just felt right. I think part of that is Nintendo always intended for the game to be motion controlled as was the only option in the 2011 original. I think any changes feel like an add-on in the same way that Twilight Princess had scaled back motion controls on the Wii.
While many experienced Twilight Princess on the Wii, it was always a late GameCube-era game that made the shift late in development to a Wii launch title. This was why I believe the definitive way to experience that game is some form of the GameCube version.
The same applies to Skyward Sword. I think we all thought we wanted button controls, but having it only reaffirmed why the motion controls work so well for that game. I apply this same logic to Super Mario Galaxy when it rereleased on the Switch as part of the 3D All-Stars collection.
Now, I understand that I may not have given the button controls a fair shot. A few playthroughs is a small sample size and I could’ve remapped the controls to better fit my style. I also acknowledge that there are many out there who feel I am wrong with this assessment. All of that is fair.
It’s not that the button controls aren’t fun. It’s more that I don’t think they match well with the gameplay. The purpose of a remaster is, in part, to capture original fans of the series.
There are many who loved the game as it was originally and want to see it in its original format. There are also many who never finished or even tried it because the controls were too much.
I do support everyone trying the game in the way and manner they desire. Skyward Sword was highly underrated and a big reason for that was many did not connect with the motion controls. That may still be the case.
What I do believe is to fully experience Skyward Sword, motion controls are a must. I felt it helped a lot with the immersion, allowing me to fully experience why I hold the game in such high regard.
Again, button controls are a fully acceptable way to enjoy this game. If that is the manner that works, have at it.
If you have played both ways, don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to return to the motion controls.
What about you? What did you think of the motion controls in Skyward Sword? Did you find yourself going back after trying button controls? Let us know in the comments below or head over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.
Featured Image: Nintendo (via PC Mag)
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