Today is the day. Finally, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword has come to the Nintendo Switch as a HD re-release. This version of the game has been made to look better and play better than the original. While it has a load of new features, it’s also got some that you’ll be familiar with. For example, all of the Wii Remote features are back and making the most of the Switch’s Joy-Cons. Honestly, I love that Nintendo put in the effort to make this work on the Switch, despite the fact that I’ll mainly be playing this in a hammock in the garden while doing absolutely no moving.
It’s not often that we get a new Zelda game. Even remakes or remasters like this are pretty rare. The last one we had was The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, and before that, it was Windwaker HD. Nintendo fans need to treasure these moments in history and make the most of them. One day you’ll be asked if you played this game on day one, and you need to be able to say that you did. Sure, there will be Switch owners who come along later to enjoy it, but you have the opportunity to enjoy something right now that you know is a fantastic game.
I myself haven’t even played Breath of the Wild, and I know I’m going to play Skyward Sword HD first. There’s something about the Wii-era Zelda games that’s just so fabulous. I think it’s the slightly furry graphics that remind you that a game doesn’t have to look incredible for the story to be affecting and inspiring. There’s so much to unpack in this game. If you’re after a big open-world adventure for the Switch, as I have been for a while, this is going to scratch that itch for you.
Don’t forget about the new Amiibo that allows you to fast travel too. I know it’s a scummy thing for Nintendo to lock behind a peripheral, but I really enjoy the fact that this entirely new feature has been added to the game with the remaster. It makes it even more accessible for today’s breed of players.