The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is the upcoming sixteenth installment of the Legend of Zelda series, developed by Nintendo for the Wii. It is scheduled for release in 2011. The game was confirmed to be in the making as early as 2006 and basic information was provided at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in 2010.

The Wii MotionPlus is heavily integrated into the gameplay, which is based on that of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Skyward Sword utilizes cel-shaded graphics similar to those of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker; however, the game features more realistic character body proportions than the aforementioned title, resembling Twilight Princess.

Plot
This time around, Link is born and raised in Skyloft, a land floating above the clouds. It may sound unique for someone to live on a floating land, but Link finds it ordinary. A land beneath the clouds is discovered that is ruled by evil forces, and Link is forced to go there. Link travels between the two lands throughout this adventure. The Skyward Sword is the driving force behind his traveling between lands.

Differences from other Zelda games
Shigeru Miyamoto has stated that Twilight Princess will be "without a doubt, the last Zelda game as you know it in its present form." This indicates that the Zelda series may receive a major user interface overhaul in order to take proper advantage of Wii, similar to those carried out in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for the Nintendo 64 and DS, respectively. No other information has been given about the development.

During a private meeting at E3 2007, Eiji Aonuma spoke about Phantom Hourglass. He then suddenly shifted gears and began speaking about the upcoming game, Zelda Wii. He was very excited, but Shigeru Miyamoto prevented him from revealing too much information. He revealed that he would like to have a whole new control base for the game, and that it was possible that one-to-one swordplay be implemented. He also said that he would like to make the game to appeal both to the casual and the hardcore gamer.

During the Game Developers Conference 2007, Eiji Aonuma gave a presentation on Twilight Princess and he showed a brief video of the game running in the first-person view. However, he stated that he does not "necessarily think it will change that drastically" but that the Zelda franchise needs "some big new unique ideas" and that the developers are "very focused on trying to find those ideas".

A piece of artwork from the game was leaked onto the internet on June 3, 2009 depicting Link and a mysterious Blue Figure.

During an interview with IGN, Shigeru Miyamoto was asked about whether or not the next game would take place after Twilight Princess, to which he responded "Well, the story setting for this Zelda is, of course, in a completely different era and Link is older than he was previously. More approaching adulthood. There is one hint. Maybe from the art work you can see that he's not holding a sword."

It has been confirmed that this will be the first Zelda title in the series to feature orchestrated music.

From an interview with Eiji Aonuma and Guardian, he reveals that there may be the ability for Link to somehow fly. . Aonuma says that he told his eight-year-old son that in the next Zelda game, Link will have a train. His son answers, "OK, Dad, first boat, and then train? Surely next time, Link is going to fly in the sky ..." Eiji Aonuma then pauses, while grinning. He says, "I just don't know. If many people make many speculations ... some of them might be correct. Right now, I have to refrain from commenting on anything."

2008
On July 15, 2008, Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed that the next Zelda game is "in the works" at E3 2008. In addition, he also stated "The Zelda team in particular always works on The Legend of Zelda series titles. The core members of the Zelda team have for a very long time now been focused on Zelda games, and continue to focus on Zelda games, so they are hard at work and working away. And then, of course, we have the DS Zelda team as well, so even there we're having some switching of people in and out where the DS team is mixing in with the Wii team and working on the Wii version."

In Issue 37 of the British Official Nintendo Magazine, released November 21, 2008, it is stated that "the teams [are] still in the planning stages" and that "we wouldn't expect to see or hear anything more until the E3 event next summer at the earliest", though "[e]ven that may be optimistic". However, the magazine says that "we WILL know something in 2009 [about the title]".

In late December 2008, Lazard Capital Markets' Colin Sebastian listed 22 games that could potentially help drive a 5 percent growth in game sales for 2009, with an unreleased Zelda game included on the list. However, Sebastian later clarified that the inclusion of the Zelda game on his list was speculation on his part.

2009
Satoru Iwata delivered the keynote address at the 2009 Game Developers Conference on March 25, 2009. Iwata previously delivered the keynote address at the 2006 GDC where he revealed Phantom Hourglass, resulting in rumors that Iwata would finally reveal Zelda Wii at the GDC in March.

At the GDC, Iwata did not reveal any new info on the game, but instead revealed a new Zelda game for the Nintendo DS, entitled The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks.

During E3, Shigeru Miyamoto said that while Zelda Wii was not at E3, he hopes to announce it and release it in 2010. He also revealed one piece of concept art for the game; showing Link and a Blue Figure which has sparked many theories. Some have suggested that the Blue Figure is Navi (indicating a possible Ocarina of Time remake), while many others believe it to be the Queen of Fairies from the The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. The most popular theory, however, is that the Blue Figure is some sort of representation of the Master Sword, hence the reason why Link is not carrying a sword. He also mentions that he would like the game to feature Wii MotionPlus for gameplay such as swordplay and archery. Miyamoto claimed that Zelda Wii did not appear at E3, as the Zelda team wanted to concentrate on making the game instead of a video and demo.

In Nintendo Power's August 2009 issue, Miyamoto claimed that the game "[is not] going to be that radically different" than past games in the series.

In mid November, Eiji Aonuma said Nintendo hopes to show something "surprising" about Link's next Wii-bound adventure at E3 2010.

Briefly alluded to at this year's E3, the new Zelda game is already known to be centred round the Wii's MotionPlus add-on, with the swordplay and archery that are mainstays in the series benefitting from the technology.

Confirming 1:1 swordplay, Aonuma said, "We're taking advantage of MotionPlus. It's become very natural – the movement of your arms is precisely reflected in the gameplay. Thanks to the technological advancements, we hope the gameplay can be more accessible to people."

"We're making efforts regarding the total flow of the Zelda game," said Aonuma, "So far, the basic flow of the Zelda games is you're exploring a field, you go to a dungeon, you conquer it and return to the field. We're looking at altering that traditional flow. That's all I can share, and I can't say more until E3 next year."

2010
In an interview on January 6, 2010, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata stated, "You are now less than 365 days away from a new console Zelda game." Later that month, he confirmed that the game will be showcased at E3. Eiji Aonuma has confirmed that it will be Wii MotionPlus exclusive. He said that "it just feels so natural. Link's sword and the controller that you're holding become one." Because of the 1:1 swordplay of the MotionPlus accessory, the way to solve puzzles depends on the way that you kill off enemies. He also hopes that there will be a playable demo at this year's E3. Shigeru Miyamoto has stated the game will be more accessible than the previous titles and that the controls will be much more intuitive. He also said, "Normally, we create the video sequences, and these sequences are expanded. But this time we started with the game structure. And then with the video sequences. So this time it was reversed. Therefore, we have had little so far from the game to show. But will publish a lot close to the game's completion.”

The game's title and a trailer showcasing its cel-shaded graphics and control system were unveiled on June 15, 2010 as part of E3. Miyamoto revealed that Link's sword is controlled using the Wii MotionPlus, and the shield is controlled using the Nunchuck. Miyamoto also revealed that by pressing B, the items menu is opened. You then point at the desired item and release the B-button. By using the C-button and pulling back the Nunchuck, the Bow can be fired. Two new items were revealed- the Beetle and the Whip. Link can launch the Beetle and then control it by tilting the Wii Remote. Link can retrieve items and cut grass using the whip. By holding the A-button, Link can run quickly. By raising his sword up to the sky, Link's sword is charged with power, and he can release Sword Beams. At the end of the demo, Miyamoto said that the development time would continue through 2010, and a 2011 release was announced, disproving Iwata's statement that the game would come out in 2010. The title of the new Zelda game was also announced; The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Nintendo has decided to bundle the game with Wii MotionPlus.

Videos
Offical Trailer EEFNzUxnmEc