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The game's storyline is the earliest in ''Zelda'' continuity, preceding ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]''.<ref name="timeline">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5869993/this-might-actually-be-the-official-zelda-timeline |title=Official Zelda timeline released by Nintendo |date=December 21, 2011 |accessdate=December 21, 2011}}</ref> ''Skyward Sword'' follows an incarnation of the series protagonist [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]] who was raised in a society above the clouds known as Skyloft. After his closest childhood friend, [[Princess Zelda|Zelda]], is swept into the [[Hyrule|land below the clouds]] by demonic forces, Link does whatever it takes to save her, traveling between Skyloft and the surface below while battling the dark forces of the self proclaimed "Demon Lord", Ghirahim.
The game's storyline is the earliest in ''Zelda'' continuity, preceding ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]''.<ref name="timeline">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5869993/this-might-actually-be-the-official-zelda-timeline |title=Official Zelda timeline released by Nintendo |date=December 21, 2011 |accessdate=December 21, 2011}}</ref> ''Skyward Sword'' follows an incarnation of the series protagonist [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]] who was raised in a society above the clouds known as Skyloft. After his closest childhood friend, [[Princess Zelda|Zelda]], is swept into the [[Hyrule|land below the clouds]] by demonic forces, Link does whatever it takes to save her, traveling between Skyloft and the surface below while battling the dark forces of the self proclaimed "Demon Lord", Ghirahim.


Upon release, the game received critical acclaim, receiving perfect scores from 26 publications such as ''[[IGN]]'', ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'', ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'', ''[[Famitsu]]'', ''[[Eurogamer]]'', ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] [[GameCentral]]'', and ''[[Game Informer]]''. Much of the praise was directed at the game's intuitive motion-based swordplay and the changes it brought to the ''Zelda'' franchise.
Upon release, the game received universal critical acclaim, receiving perfect scores from 30 publications,<ref name=metacritic/><ref name=gamerankings/> including ''[[IGN]]'', ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'', ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'', ''[[Famitsu]]'', ''[[Eurogamer]]'', ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] [[GameCentral]]'', and ''[[Game Informer]]''. Much of the praise was directed at the game's intuitive motion-based swordplay and the changes it brought to the ''Zelda'' franchise.


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
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|Edge= 10/10<ref name=EdgeRev>http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/legend-zelda-skyward-sword-review</ref>
|Edge= 10/10<ref name=EdgeRev>http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/legend-zelda-skyward-sword-review</ref>
|EGM= 8.5<ref name=EgmRev>http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/</ref>
|EGM= 8.5<ref name=EgmRev>http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/</ref>
|EuroG = 10/10 (UK)<ref name=EuroGRev>http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-11-the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review</ref> <br> 10/10 (Italy)<ref name=metacritic/> <br> 10/10 (Portugal)<ref name=metacritic/> <br> 10/10 (Spain)<ref name=metacritic/>
|EuroG = 10/10<ref name=EuroGRev>http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-11-the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review</ref><ref name=metacritic/>
|Fam= 40/40<ref name=Fam>http://andriasang.com/comyyf/</ref>
|Fam= 40/40<ref name=Fam>http://andriasang.com/comyyf/</ref>
|G4TV = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=G4TV>http://www.g4tv.com/games/wii/63180/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/review/</ref>
|G4TV = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=G4TV>http://www.g4tv.com/games/wii/63180/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/review/</ref>
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|rev6Score = 10/10<ref name="metro_skyward">{{cite web |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/881408-the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review-hyrulian-revolution |title=The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword review - Hyrulian revolution |first=David |last=Jenkins |work=[[GameCentral]] |publisher=''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]'' |date=November 11, 2011}}</ref>
|rev6Score = 10/10<ref name="metro_skyward">{{cite web |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/881408-the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review-hyrulian-revolution |title=The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword review - Hyrulian revolution |first=David |last=Jenkins |work=[[GameCentral]] |publisher=''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]'' |date=November 11, 2011}}</ref>
|rev7 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
|rev7 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
|rev7Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="GuardianReview"/>
|rev7Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="GuardianReview">{{Cite news|author=Boxer, Steve |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2011/nov/11/legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review?newsfeed=true|title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword – review <nowiki>|</nowiki> | date = 2011-11-11 |Game Review | work=[[The Guardian]]| accessdate=2011-11-11}}</ref>
|award1 = [[Game of the Year]], Publisher&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;Year&nbsp;(Nintendo)
|award1 = [[Game of the Year|Overall Game of the Year]]
|award1Pub = ''[[Bluefield Daily Telegraph]]'',<ref name="bdt_top"/> ''[[Click Online|Click]]'',<ref name="clock_goty"/> ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'',<ref name="edge_awards"/> [[G4 (TV channel)|G4]],<ref name="g4_deathmatch"/><ref name="g4_winner"/> ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] [[GameCentral]]'',<ref name="metro_top"/> [[MMGN]],<ref name="mmgn_goty"/> ''Nintendo Life'',<ref name="nintendolife_awards"/> ''[[San Jose Mercury News]]'',<ref name="mercurynews_games"/> [[ScrewAttack]],<ref name="screwattack_top"/> ''[[The Washington Examiner|Washington Examiner]]''<ref name="washingtonexaminer_games"/>
|award1Pub = ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]''
|award2 = [[Game of the Year|Best Game]]
|award2 = Wii Game of the Year
|award2Pub = [[GameSpot]],<ref name="gspot_awards"/> [[GameTrailers]],<ref name="gt_awards"/> [[IGN]],<ref name="ign_wii"/> [[GameZone]],<ref name="gamezone_platform"/> ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] [[GameCentral]]'',<ref name="metro_top"/> ''Nintendo Life'',<ref name="nintendolife_awards"/> [[Spike Video Game Awards]],<ref name="spike_vga"/> [[UGO Networks]]<ref name="ugo_wii_goty"/>
|award2Pub = [[G4 (TV channel)|G4]]
|award3 = Best Motion Game
|award3 = Best Original Soundtrack, {{nowrap|Best Graphics (Artistic) (Runner-Up)}}
|award3Pub = [[GameTrailers]],<ref name="gt_awards"/> [[Spike Video Game Awards]]<ref name="spike_vga"/>
|award3Pub = [[GameZone]]
|award4 = Best Action/Adventure Game
|award4 = Wii Game of The Year, Best&nbsp;Wii&nbsp;Graphics, Best&nbsp;Wii&nbsp;Sound, Best&nbsp;Wii&nbsp;Story
|award4Pub = [[IGN]]
|award4Pub = [[MMGN]]<ref name="mmgn_goty"/>
|award5 = Best Wii Graphics, Best Wii Sound, Best Wii Story
|award5 = [[Game of the Year]], {{nowrap|Technical Innovation (Runner-Up)}}
|award5Pub = ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] [[GameCentral]]''
|award5Pub = [[IGN]]<ref name="ign_wii"/>
|award6 = [[Game of the Year|Top Game of 2011]]
|award6 = Best Original Soundtrack
|award6Pub = [[GameZone]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Splechta|first=Mike|title=GameZone's Game of the Year Awards Day 2: Technical Awards|url=http://www.gamezone.com/editorials/gamezone-s-game-of-the-year-awards-day-2-technical-awards|publisher=[[GameZone]]|accessdate=30 December 2011|date=December 28, 2011}}</ref>
|award6Pub = [[ScrewAttack]]
|award7 = Best Wii Game, Best Motion Game
|award7 = Best Audio
|award7Pub = [[Spike Video Game Awards]]
|award7Pub = ''Nintendo Life''<ref name="nintendolife_awards"/>
|award8 = Best Level Design, Best&nbsp;Developer&nbsp;(Nintendo)
|award8 = Best Level Design, Best Developer
|award8Pub = ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''<ref name="telegraph_awards">{{cite web|title=Telegraph video game awards 2011|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/8974993/Telegraph-video-game-awards-2011.html|work=[[The Daily Telegraph{{!}}The Telegraph]]|accessdate=29 December 2011|date=27 December 2011}}</ref>
|award8Pub = ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''
|award9 = Nintendo Wii Game Of The Year
|award9 = {{nowrap|Publisher of the Year}}
|award9Pub = [[UGO Networks]]
|award9Pub = ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]''<ref name="edge_awards"/>
}}
}}


''Skyward Sword'' has received universal critical acclaim, with an average rating of 94.02% on [[GameRankings]] based on 48 reviews,<ref name=gamerankings/> 93 out of 100 on [[Metacritic]] based on 73 reviews,<ref name=metacritic/> and 10.0 out of 10 on [[GameStats]].<ref name="gamestats_skyward"/> ''Skyward Sword'''s first review, from ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine|ONM]]'' on October 20, scored 98%, praising the title as the "best Zelda game ever made".<ref>http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/31573/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review-98-in-onm/</ref> A day later, ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' gave the game 10/10. Edge's review said "How apt that this ultimate tale of hero-making should see Nintendo’s hardware become the console it was always meant to be", describing it as "a game made for Christmas Day, released an agonizing six weeks before".<ref name=EdgeRev/> ''[[GamesTM]]'' gave the game a 9/10, and said "Spellbinding, dramatic and absolutely epic in both the world it paints and the story it tells, Zelda: Skyward Sword is a hugely important event for the Wii, for Nintendo, and for anyone with even a passing love for the venerable series it celebrates."<ref name=GTM/> ''[[Game Informer]]'' said "Skyward Sword is one of those rare treasures, a 10/10 game."<ref name=GI/> ''[[The Guardian]]'' 's review stated, "nobody could argue that it's anything less than a masterclass in the art of crafting video games."<ref name="GuardianReview" />
''Skyward Sword'' has received universal critical acclaim, receiving perfect scores from 30 publications,<ref name=metacritic/><ref name=gamerankings/> with an average rating of 94.02% on [[GameRankings]] based on 48 reviews,<ref name=gamerankings/> 93 out of 100 on [[Metacritic]] based on 73 reviews,<ref name=metacritic/> and 10.0 out of 10 on [[GameStats]].<ref name="gamestats_skyward"/> ''Skyward Sword'''s first review, from ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine|ONM]]'' on October 20, scored 98%, praising the title as the "best Zelda game ever made".<ref>http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/31573/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review-98-in-onm/</ref> A day later, ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' gave the game 10/10. Edge's review said "How apt that this ultimate tale of hero-making should see Nintendo’s hardware become the console it was always meant to be", describing it as "a game made for Christmas Day, released an agonizing six weeks before".<ref name=EdgeRev/> ''[[GamesTM]]'' gave the game a 9/10, and said "Spellbinding, dramatic and absolutely epic in both the world it paints and the story it tells, Zelda: Skyward Sword is a hugely important event for the Wii, for Nintendo, and for anyone with even a passing love for the venerable series it celebrates."<ref name=GTM/> ''[[Game Informer]]'' said "Skyward Sword is one of those rare treasures, a 10/10 game."<ref name=GI/> ''[[The Guardian]]'' 's review stated, "nobody could argue that it's anything less than a masterclass in the art of crafting video games."<ref name="GuardianReview">{{Cite news|author=Boxer, Steve |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2011/nov/11/legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review?newsfeed=true|title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword – review <nowiki>|</nowiki> | date = 2011-11-11 |Game Review | work=[[The Guardian]]| accessdate=2011-11-11}}</ref>


[[IGN]] awarded the game a perfect score of 10 out of 10. In regard to motion controls, IGN's reviewer Richard George praised them for their integral implementation into the gameplay, stating: "After slashing enemies with 1:1 sword movement, I never want to go back." He considered ''Skyward Sword'' to be "the purest, most perfect realization of Nintendo's ambitious goals for motion-controlled gaming", going on to say it "is the greatest Zelda game ever created. It's the best game for Wii and one of the finest video game accomplishments of the past 10 years."<ref name=IGN/> Game Informer praised the controls as the best in any Zelda game, writing that "when the correct method to defeat each foe finally clicked, I felt a sense of satisfaction that repeatedly tapping the A button never provided."<ref name=GI/> [[GamesRadar]] however felt that "though we still prefer traditional button inputs, we have to admit that the Wii MotionPlus really does work well here overall, and while the detractions are there, they're relatively small."<ref name=GRadar/> [[Eurogamer]] called the motion controls "as integral to this game as the analogue stick was to ''[[Mario 64]]''." [[Eurogamer]]'s reviewer stated that the MotionPlus controls "perfectly" track movement "without requiring energetic gestures" and give players a "more direct link to Link."<ref name=EuroGRev/> In contrast to most reviews, ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly|EGM]]'''s reviewer Ray Carsillo felt that the MotionPlus controls follow the player "too well." He preferred the simpler motion controls found in the Wii version of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess]]'' stating, "...this could’ve been one of the greatest Zelda games yet had the controls just worked" and ended by saying, "Even with cruddy controls, [the game] is still an epic adventure worthy of the franchise—and it should absolutely be played by all fans of the series."<ref name=EgmRev/>
[[IGN]] awarded the game a perfect score of 10 out of 10. In regard to motion controls, IGN's reviewer Richard George praised them for their integral implementation into the gameplay, stating: "After slashing enemies with 1:1 sword movement, I never want to go back." He considered ''Skyward Sword'' to be "the purest, most perfect realization of Nintendo's ambitious goals for motion-controlled gaming", going on to say it "is the greatest Zelda game ever created. It's the best game for Wii and one of the finest video game accomplishments of the past 10 years."<ref name=IGN/> Game Informer praised the controls as the best in any Zelda game, writing that "when the correct method to defeat each foe finally clicked, I felt a sense of satisfaction that repeatedly tapping the A button never provided."<ref name=GI/> [[GamesRadar]] however felt that "though we still prefer traditional button inputs, we have to admit that the Wii MotionPlus really does work well here overall, and while the detractions are there, they're relatively small."<ref name=GRadar/> [[Eurogamer]] called the motion controls "as integral to this game as the analogue stick was to ''[[Mario 64]]''." [[Eurogamer]]'s reviewer stated that the MotionPlus controls "perfectly" track movement "without requiring energetic gestures" and give players a "more direct link to Link."<ref name=EuroGRev/> In contrast to most reviews, ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly|EGM]]'''s reviewer Ray Carsillo felt that the MotionPlus controls follow the player "too well." He preferred the simpler motion controls found in the Wii version of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess]]'' stating, "...this could’ve been one of the greatest Zelda games yet had the controls just worked" and ended by saying, "Even with cruddy controls, [the game] is still an epic adventure worthy of the franchise—and it should absolutely be played by all fans of the series."<ref name=EgmRev/>
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[[GameSpot]] however gave the game a comparatively lower score of 7.5/10, mainly criticizing its motion controls, linear progression and formulaic gameplay. GameSpot critic Tom Mc Shea states in his opening paragraph, "Nintendo has kept the elements that have hung like an acidic cloud over past iterations while crafting a new control system to keep it from feeling like the same old game. Inconsistent controls continually torment poor Link, and the predictable structure does little to distract you from these faults."<ref>http://asia.gamespot.com/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/reviews/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review-6345839?tag=topslot;read;5</ref> Shortly thereafter, GameSpot added an [[addendum]] to the review, stating that it incorrectly described the [[Wii Remote]]'s infrared sensor as being responsible for aiming in the game and that the review had been edited accordingly. Mc Shea later explained that although there was some misinformation regarding the controls, the other faults of the game still remain.
[[GameSpot]] however gave the game a comparatively lower score of 7.5/10, mainly criticizing its motion controls, linear progression and formulaic gameplay. GameSpot critic Tom Mc Shea states in his opening paragraph, "Nintendo has kept the elements that have hung like an acidic cloud over past iterations while crafting a new control system to keep it from feeling like the same old game. Inconsistent controls continually torment poor Link, and the predictable structure does little to distract you from these faults."<ref>http://asia.gamespot.com/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/reviews/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review-6345839?tag=topslot;read;5</ref> Shortly thereafter, GameSpot added an [[addendum]] to the review, stating that it incorrectly described the [[Wii Remote]]'s infrared sensor as being responsible for aiming in the game and that the review had been edited accordingly. Mc Shea later explained that although there was some misinformation regarding the controls, the other faults of the game still remain.


In December 2011, ''Skyward Sword'' won the "[[Game of the Year]]" award from ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' magazine, which also nominated the game for "Best Audio Design" and gave Nintendo the "Publisher of the Year" award.<ref>{{cite web|title=2011 EDGE awards – Game of the Year and more|url=http://gamingeverything.com/13089/2011-edge-awards-game-of-the-year-and-more/|publisher=Gaming Everything|accessdate=21 December 2011|author=Valay|date=December 17, 2011}}</ref> It was also won the "[[Game of the Year|Best Game]]" award from [[G4 (TV channel)|G4]], where it won the most votes in its 2011 Videogame Deathmatch,<ref>{{cite web|title=Best Game 2011 - Videogame Deathmatch|url=http://www.g4tv.com/vgdm/best-game-2011/|publisher=[[G4 (TV channel){{!}}G4]]|accessdate=21 December 2011|month=December|year=2011}}</ref> based on over 500,000 votes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Best of 2011: Videogame Deathmatch Best of 2011 Winner|url=http://www.g4tv.com/videos/56655/best-of-2011-videogame-deathmatch-best-of-2011-winner/|publisher=[[G4 (TV Channel){{!}}G4]]|accessdate=22 December 2011|month=December|year=2011}}</ref> The game also won the "Best Wii Game" and "Best Motion Control Game" Awards on [[Spike TV]]'s ninth annual [[Spike Video Game Awards|Video Game Awards]], where the game was also nominated for the "Game of the Year" and "Best Action Adventure Game" award categories,<ref>{{cite web|title=Spike TV Video Game Awards 2011|publisher=[[Spike TV]]|date=December 10, 2011|url=http://www.spike.com/events/video-game-awards-2011-nominees/voting/game-of-the-year|accessdate=December 11, 2011}}</ref> while ''The Legend of Zelda'' series as a whole was given the first Video Game Hall of Fame Award.<ref>{{cite web|title=Legend Of Zelda Franchise To Be First Video Game Hall Of Fame Honoree|url=http://www.spike.com/articles/b8nne4/video-game-awards-legend-of-zelda-franchise-to-be-first-video-game-hall-of-fame-honoree|publisher=[[Spike Video Game Awards]]|accessdate=22 December 2011|date=November 16, 2011}}</ref> ''The Legend of Zelda'' also received the "Nintendo Wii Game Of The Year" award from [[UGO Networks]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Nintendo Wii Game Of The Year - The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|url=http://www.ugo.com/games/video-game-of-the-year-awards-2011-nintendo-wii-game-of-the-year|publisher=[[UGO Networks]]|accessdate=26 December 2011|date=December 23, 2011}}</ref> IGN has given ''Skyward Sword'' the awards for "Wii Game of the Year", "Best Wii Sound", "Best Wii Story", and "Best Wii Graphics".<ref>{{cite web|title=Wii|url=http://ign.com/wikis/best-of-2011/Wii|work=Best of 2011|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=26 December 2011|month=December|year=2011}}</ref> IGN has also nominated ''Skyward Sword'' for the awards of "Best Adventure Game", "Best Graphics", "Best Sound", "Best Developer" (Nintendo EAD), and overall "Game of the Year".<ref>{{cite web|title=Overall|url=http://ign.com/wikis/best-of-2011/Overall|work=Best of 2011|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=26 December 2011|month=December|year=2011}}</ref> ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' gave it the awards for "Best Level Design" and "Best Developer" (Nintendo), and nominated it for the awards of "Best Director" (Eiji Aonuma), "Best Original Score" (Koji Kondo), "Technical Achievement" (Wii Motion Plus), and overall "Game of the Year".<ref>{{cite web|title=Telegraph video game awards 2011|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/8974993/Telegraph-video-game-awards-2011.html|work=[[The Daily Telegraph{{!}}The Telegraph]]|accessdate=29 December 2011|date=27 December 2011}}</ref> ''Metro GameCentral'' chose ''Skyward Sword'' as the Game of the Year, in its list of top 20 games of 2011,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/885639-gamecentral-video-game-top-20-of-2011-games-of-the-year |title=GameCentral Video Game Top 20 of 2011 - Games of the Year |work=[[GameCentral]] |publisher=''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]'' |date=22 December 2011 |accessdate=29 December 2011}}</ref> and chose it as the runner-up for its "Technical Innovation" award.<ref>{{cite web|title=GameCentral Video Game Mini-Awards - The Best of 2011|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/885528-gamecentral-video-game-mini-awards-the-best-of-2011|work=[[GameCentra]]|publisher=''[[Metro (British newspaper){{!}}Metro]]''|accessdate=29 December 2011|date=21 December 2011}}</ref> ''Skyward Sword'' was voted the best game in ScrewAttack's "Top 10 Games of 2011" poll.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top 10 Games of 2011|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-screwattack/725346|work=[[ScrewAttack]]|publisher=[[GameTrailers]]|accessdate=30 December 2011|date=December 24, 2011}}</ref> [[GameZone]] gave the game the "Best Original Soundtrack" award and chose it as the runner-up for the "Best Graphics (Artistic)" award.<ref>{{cite web|last=Splechta|first=Mike|title=GameZone's Game of the Year Awards Day 2: Technical Awards|url=http://www.gamezone.com/editorials/gamezone-s-game-of-the-year-awards-day-2-technical-awards|publisher=[[GameZone]]|accessdate=30 December 2011|date=December 28, 2011}}</ref>
''Skyward Sword'' has won [[Game of the Year]] awards from organizations and publications such as ''Edge'',<ref name="edge_awards">{{cite web|title=2011 EDGE awards – Game of the Year and more|url=http://gamingeverything.com/13089/2011-edge-awards-game-of-the-year-and-more/|publisher=Gaming Everything|accessdate=21 December 2011|author=Valay|date=December 17, 2011}}</ref> ''Metro GameCentral'',<ref name="metro_top">{{cite web |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/885639-gamecentral-video-game-top-20-of-2011-games-of-the-year |title=GameCentral Video Game Top 20 of 2011 - Games of the Year |work=[[GameCentral]] |publisher=''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]'' |date=22 December 2011 |accessdate=29 December 2011}}</ref> ScrewAttack,<ref name="screwattack_top">{{cite web|title=Top 10 Games of 2011|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-screwattack/725346|work=[[ScrewAttack]]|publisher=[[GameTrailers]]|accessdate=30 December 2011|date=December 24, 2011}}</ref> ''Nintendo Life'',<ref name="nintendolife_awards">{{cite web|last=Newton|first=James|title=Game of the Year: Nintendo Life Staff Awards 2011|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/12/game_of_the_year_nintendo_life_staff_awards_2011|work=Nintendo Life|accessdate=31 December 2011|date=30 December 2011}}</ref> ''[[Click Online|Click]]'',<ref name="clock_goty">{{cite web|last=Nelis|first=Peter|title=Click Game of the Year 2011 Part 3|url=http://www.clickonline.com/games/click-game-of-the-year-2011-part-3/5461/|work=[[Click Online|Click]]|accessdate=31 December 2011|date=30 December 2011}}</ref> ''[[San Jose Mercury News]]'',<ref name="mercurynews_games">{{cite web|last=Cacho|first=Gieson|title=Best video games of 2011|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment-headlines/ci_19621246|work=[[San Jose Mercury News]]|accessdate=31 December 2011|date=12/29/2011}}</ref> [[MMGN]],<ref name="mmgn_goty">{{cite web|title=Game of the Year 2011 Winners|url=http://ps3.mmgn.com/Articles/Game-of-the-Year-2011-Winners|publisher=[[MMGN]]|accessdate=31 December 2011|date=25/11/2011}}</ref> ''[[Bluefield Daily Telegraph]]'',<ref name="bdt_top">{{cite news|last=Dennis|first=Justin|title=This year's top 10 video games|url=http://bdtonline.com/lifestyles/x1760885543/This-years-top-10-video-games-with-holiday-savings|accessdate=31 December 2011|newspaper=[[Bluefield Daily Telegraph]]|date=December 1, 2011}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Examiner]]'',<ref name="washingtonexaminer_games">{{cite news|title=Top 10 video games of 2011|url=http://washingtonexaminer.com/entertainment/2011/12/top-10-video-games-2011/2015366|accessdate=31 December 2011|newspaper=[[The Washington Examiner]]|date=12/18/11|author=Greg Prince|author2=Ryan Vogt}}</ref> and [[G4 (TV channel)|G4]],<ref name="g4_deathmatch">{{cite web|title=Best Game 2011 - Videogame Deathmatch|url=http://www.g4tv.com/vgdm/best-game-2011/|publisher=[[G4 (TV channel){{!}}G4]]|accessdate=21 December 2011|month=December|year=2011}}</ref> where it won a poll consisting of over 500,000 votes.<ref name="g4_winner">{{cite web|title=Best of 2011: Videogame Deathmatch Best of 2011 Winner|url=http://www.g4tv.com/videos/56655/best-of-2011-videogame-deathmatch-best-of-2011-winner/|publisher=[[G4 (TV Channel){{!}}G4]]|accessdate=22 December 2011|month=December|year=2011}}</ref> The game also won Wii Game of the Year awards from organizations and publications such as the [[Spike Video Game Awards]],<ref name="spike_vga">{{cite web|title=Spike TV Video Game Awards 2011|publisher=[[Spike TV]]|date=December 10, 2011|url=http://www.spike.com/events/video-game-awards-2011-nominees/voting/game-of-the-year|accessdate=December 11, 2011}}</ref> [[UGO Networks]],<ref name="ugo_wii_goty">{{cite web|title=Nintendo Wii Game Of The Year - The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|url=http://www.ugo.com/games/video-game-of-the-year-awards-2011-nintendo-wii-game-of-the-year|publisher=[[UGO Networks]]|accessdate=26 December 2011|date=December 23, 2011}}</ref> IGN,<ref name="ign_wii">{{cite web|title=Wii|url=http://ign.com/wikis/best-of-2011/Wii|work=Best of 2011|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=26 December 2011|month=December|year=2011}}</ref> [[GameTrailers]],<ref name="gt_awards">{{cite web|title=GameTrailers Game of the Year Awards 2011|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/game/game-of-the-year-awards-2011/15923|publisher=[[GameTrailers]]|accessdate=30 December 2011|year=2011}}</ref> ''Nintendo Life'',<ref name="nintendolife_awards"/> GameSpot (Readers' Choice),<ref name="gspot_awards">{{cite web|title=The Best of 2011 Awards|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/best-of-2011-awards/|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=31 December 2011|date=30 December 2011}}</ref> and [[GameZone]].<ref name="gamezone_platform">{{cite web|last=Splechta|first=Mike|title=GameZone's Game of the Year Awards Day 4: Platform Awards|url=http://www.gamezone.com/editorials/gamezone-s-game-of-the-year-awards-day-4-platform-awards|publisher=[[GameZone]]|accessdate=31 December 2011|date=December 30, 2011}}</ref> IGN has also nominated ''Skyward Sword'' for the awards of "Best Adventure Game", "Best Graphics", "Best Sound", "Best Developer" (Nintendo EAD), and overall "Game of the Year".<ref>{{cite web|title=Overall|url=http://ign.com/wikis/best-of-2011/Overall|work=Best of 2011|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=26 December 2011|month=December|year=2011}}</ref> GameTrailers also gave it the "Best Motion Controls" award and nominated it for the "Most Innovative" and "Best Action Adventure" awards.<ref name="gt_awards"/>


===Sales===
===Sales===

Revision as of 19:49, 31 December 2011

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
North American box art
Developer(s)Nintendo EAD
Monolith Soft
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Hidemaro Fujibayashi[5]
Producer(s)Eiji Aonuma
Shigeru Miyamoto
Satoru Iwata
Designer(s)Yoshiyuki Oyama
Composer(s)Hajime Wakai[6]
Shiho Fujii
Mahito Yokota
Takeshi Hama
Koji Kondo[6]
SeriesThe Legend of Zelda
Platform(s)Wii
Release
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (ゼルダの伝説 スカイウォードソード, Zeruda no Densetsu: Sukaiwōdo Sōdo) is an action-adventure game for the Wii console and the sixteenth entry in the Legend of Zelda series. Developed by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development with the help of Monolith Soft, it was released in all regions in November 2011. The game makes use of the Wii MotionPlus peripheral for sword-fighting, with a revised Wii Remote pointing system used for targeting.[7][8] A limited edition bundle featuring a golden Wii Remote Plus was sold coinciding with the game's launch, and the first run of both the standard game and the limited edition bundled included a CD containing orchestrated tracks of iconic music from the franchise in celebration of the franchise's 25th anniversary.[9]

The game's storyline is the earliest in Zelda continuity, preceding The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.[10] Skyward Sword follows an incarnation of the series protagonist Link who was raised in a society above the clouds known as Skyloft. After his closest childhood friend, Zelda, is swept into the land below the clouds by demonic forces, Link does whatever it takes to save her, traveling between Skyloft and the surface below while battling the dark forces of the self proclaimed "Demon Lord", Ghirahim.

Upon release, the game received universal critical acclaim, receiving perfect scores from 30 publications,[11][12] including IGN, Wired, Edge, Famitsu, Eurogamer, Metro GameCentral, and Game Informer. Much of the praise was directed at the game's intuitive motion-based swordplay and the changes it brought to the Zelda franchise.

Gameplay

File:Zeldaskywardsword2010E3.png
Skyward Sword uses graphics that resemble impressionist art. The style allows for more exaggerated enemy designs, which emphasize their attacks and weaknesses.

The gameplay of Skyward Sword departs from the Legend of Zelda series' traditional flow of alternating overworld and dungeon exploration by integrating the two more than other games in the series.[13] The controls are revised, with swordplay based on the Wii MotionPlus peripheral, which allows one-to-one motion control between the Wii Remote and the in-game sword.[14] In contrast to earlier installments, battles do not focus solely on timing attacks, but also on their target, such as the direction in which enemies are hit.[5]

In addition to the sword, there are items such as a mechanical flying beetle to grab items from a distance, a whip, and series staples such as bombs, a slingshot and a bow, which can also be controlled with the Wii MotionPlus.[14] An upgrade system has been introduced, which enables the player to increase the power of equipment such as the wooden shield by collecting items from fallen enemies.[15] A stamina meter allows for sprinting and running up walls.[16] Drinking health-restoring potions does not interrupt the gameplay anymore, and the maps are now easier to read, making it harder to get lost in the game.[17] The player has the option to partially turn off the heads-up display.[17]

Plot

In the chronology of the series, Skyward Sword is a prequel to Ocarina of Time, and elaborates on the origins of the Master Sword and Ganon.[18][19] According to legend, after the creation of Hyrule, the Triforce was entrusted by the Golden Goddesses Din, Farore and Nayru to the deity known as Hylia. However, the Demon King Demise gathered an army to take the Triforce for his own evil intent. Using her power to create the floating islands called Skyloft to keep the Hylians and the Triforce safe, Hylia and the remaining tribes—the Ancient Robots, the Parella, the Kikwis, the Gorons, and the Mogmas—battled Demise's horde before the demon was defeated.

The plot begins many years after the prologue and follows an incarnation of the protagonist Link, who was born and raised in Skyloft, who begins to have dreams of a strange figure. Woken up by his childhood friend Zelda, Link gets ready for the Wing Ceremony, a tradition to acknowledge one as knight. Link completes the ceremony after overcoming the attempts of a classmate, Groose (バド, Bado), to sabotage him. However, Zelda is then taken in by a storm which sucks her down to the still demon-infested Hyrule. Soon after, Link learns that the figure from his dream is Fi (ファイ, Fai), the spirit of the Goddess Sword which Hylia created in case the evil she defeated was to stir again. With guidance from an elderly woman in the Sealed Shrine, Link pursues Zelda to the Skyview Spring where he encounters the Demon Lord Ghirahim, who is responsible for Zelda's predicament. However, tracking her down to the Earth Spring, Link learns that Zelda is being protected by a mysterious woman named Impa. It is later at the Lanayru Mining Facility that Link receives the Goddess Harp from Zelda, as she and Impa depart into the past through a Gate of Time before it is destroyed during the fight with Ghirahim. Later, when Groose ends up following Link to the surface before fighting the monster known as the "The Imprisoned", the elderly woman advises Link to seek out three sacred flames of the Golden Goddesses in order to increase the power of his sword to activate the second Gate of Time within the temple. Along the way, he also strengthens his spirit through the trials set by the three Goddesses. Once all three flames are infused into it, the Goddess Sword transforms into the Master Sword and he is able to enter the Gate of Time, arriving in the time period where Demise was just recently sealed away by the Goddess.

Zelda reveals she is the reincarnation of Hylia herself; her trip to the Springs meant to restore her past life's memory before traveling back in time to enter a deep sleep in order to keep Demise's seal active so that The Imprisoned, Demise's cursed form, cannot break free. She tasks Link to search for the Triforce hidden in Skyloft to destroy Demise. Once acquiring the complete Triforce in the present, Link uses its power to crush The Imprisoned under the descending Isle of the Goddess. Soon after, Zelda awakens from her slumber and is reunited with Link and Groose. However, the reunion is cut short by Ghirahim as he kidnaps Zelda before entering the Gate of Time, intending to resurrect Demise in the past.

Despite Link's attempt to stop him, Ghirahim succeeds in sacrificing Zelda's life force to The Imprisoned. It reverts into Demise, who reveals Ghirahim to be his sword. He challenges Link to battle, impressed with the youth's bravery. Link manages to mortally wound Demise in their epic battle, giving Zelda back her soul in the process. In his final words, Demise swears that his hatred will be reborn and will haunt the descendants of Link and Zelda for all time, before he disperses into a mist which is then absorbed by the Master Sword. With her mission done, Fi asks Link to place the Master Sword into the shrine's pedestal while she enters a deep sleep. Link and Zelda also say their goodbyes to Impa, who is revealed to be of this time and must watch over the Master Sword to ensure Demise's destruction. Link, Zelda, and Groose return to the present, where the elderly woman reveals herself to be Impa before she finally passes on after fulfilling her duty. After saying their goodbyes to Groose, Zelda admits to Link that she wishes to stay in Hyrule, while both of their Loftwings fly off in the distance.

Development

File:Zelda Legend 2010.jpg
At the E3 2009 trade show, Nintendo released a piece of concept art that raised speculation about the story of Skyward Sword.
The limited edition comes bundled with an exclusive gold-colored Wii Remote Plus

In April 2008, game designer Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed the Zelda team to be "forming again to work on new games".[20] He later clarified at the E3 2008 trade show that the staff members had been working on a new installment in the series for the Wii.[21] The development of Skyward Sword started between the production cycles of the two The Legend of Zelda games for the Nintendo DS: it began after the completion of Phantom Hourglass and before the development of Spirit Tracks.[5] Director Hidemaro Fujibayashi and his team developed Skyward Sword and Spirit Tracks simultaneously until the latter was completed and all staff was transferred to work solely on the Wii game.[5] A report of Official Nintendo Magazine pointed out that the developers were still in the planning stages in November 2008, and that a first screening at E3 2009 was considered an optimistic prediction.[22]

While the implementation of the graphics was not advanced enough to present actual footage at the 2009 trade show,[23] the story of the game was almost completed,[17] and a single piece of concept art was revealed to a select group of journalists.[24] The image was released to the public a few days later, and showed a near-adult Link with a shield in his left hand, a mysterious female figure standing at his back.[25] During an interview, Miyamoto gave a hint on the story by pointing out that Link does not hold a sword in the illustration.[25] The comment raised speculation about the mysterious female being a personification of the Master Sword.[26]

Miyamoto also announced utilization of the Wii MotionPlus peripheral for integral parts of the gameplay, such as sword-fighting.[24] Support for this feature was dropped for several months because producer Eiji Aonuma did not feel it was effective enough.[5][27][28] However, the decision was eventually reversed when Miyamoto told game designer Katsuya Eguchi to challenge Aonuma with creating swordplay similar in quality to that in Wii Sports Resort.[27] This turn of events also resulted in Skyward Sword borrowing some of its technology from the sports game.[5] Aonuma later confirmed Wii MotionPlus to be mandatory, and described aforementioned swordplay as feeling very natural, as if Link's sword and the player's controller became one.[7] Instead of developing Skyward Sword around cutscenes, the team focused on the gameplay mechanics first.[29] The game was intended to correct the flaw of too big and vacant areas in Twilight Princess, while maintaining and improving on the realism it portrayed.[27][30][31] Nintendo president Satoru Iwata revealed plans to release the game by the end of 2010,[32] and mentioned that it would debut at E3 2010.[33]

At Nintendo's press conference coinciding with the trade show in June 2010, it was announced that the subtitle of the Wii Zelda was Skyward Sword, and that the game would be delayed until 2011.[34] The presentation also revealed a hybrid of graphics from Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker resembling a painting come to life, similar to the graphics of Okami.[35] The art style has been described as resembling the work of impressionist painters like Cezanne and was chosen based on the designers' desire to tell a fantasy story.[36] One of the reasons fully realistic visuals were dropped was to allow for more exaggerated character designs, emphasizing the enemies' attacks and weaknesses.[17] The game's soundtrack was primarily composed by Hajime Wakai, and long-standing series musician Koji Kondo provided additional compositions.[6] Staff members expressed their wish to include orchestral music in Skyward Sword, but Miyamoto initially intervened because he felt its inclusion was not yet necessary for a presentation that focused on gameplay.[5][17][37] After the summer break of 2010, however, it was decided that there would be orchestra recordings, and Super Mario Galaxy composer Mahito Yokota joined the development team as orchestration director.[37] At E3 2011, it was announced that Skyward Sword would be released in Q4 2011.[38] On August 17, 2011, Skyward Sword was announced to be released in Europe on November 18, 2011, and in North America on November 20, 2011.[2][1] The game was released as both a standard edition and a limited deluxe edition that includes a gold Wii Remote Plus. For the initial production of the game, an anniversary CD containing orchestrated music of iconic music of the series was included with both editions of the game.[39]

Marketing

Skyward Sword was available as a demo at the Australian Nintendo Connection Tour 2011 at selected Westfield stores and was the central theme of the event, attracting vast amounts of attention and praise. Actor/comedian and series fan Robin Williams, and his daughter Zelda, have starred in TV commercials promoting the game. A short comic based on the game was published weekly in five parts on Nintendo's official The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword website, written and illustrated by Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik under their Penny Arcade Presents series.[40] The story is narrated by Gaepora, Zelda's father.[41]

Technical issue

During the game there is a technical issue that can prevent the player progressing further in the game. Save files can be sent to Nintendo to be fixed or the "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Save Data Update Channel" can be downloaded for free to fix the issue.[42]

Reception

Skyward Sword has received universal critical acclaim, receiving perfect scores from 30 publications,[11][12] with an average rating of 94.02% on GameRankings based on 48 reviews,[12] 93 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 73 reviews,[11] and 10.0 out of 10 on GameStats.[43] Skyward Sword's first review, from ONM on October 20, scored 98%, praising the title as the "best Zelda game ever made".[88] A day later, Edge gave the game 10/10. Edge's review said "How apt that this ultimate tale of hero-making should see Nintendo’s hardware become the console it was always meant to be", describing it as "a game made for Christmas Day, released an agonizing six weeks before".[44] GamesTM gave the game a 9/10, and said "Spellbinding, dramatic and absolutely epic in both the world it paints and the story it tells, Zelda: Skyward Sword is a hugely important event for the Wii, for Nintendo, and for anyone with even a passing love for the venerable series it celebrates."[52] Game Informer said "Skyward Sword is one of those rare treasures, a 10/10 game."[50] The Guardian 's review stated, "nobody could argue that it's anything less than a masterclass in the art of crafting video games."[68]

IGN awarded the game a perfect score of 10 out of 10. In regard to motion controls, IGN's reviewer Richard George praised them for their integral implementation into the gameplay, stating: "After slashing enemies with 1:1 sword movement, I never want to go back." He considered Skyward Sword to be "the purest, most perfect realization of Nintendo's ambitious goals for motion-controlled gaming", going on to say it "is the greatest Zelda game ever created. It's the best game for Wii and one of the finest video game accomplishments of the past 10 years."[53] Game Informer praised the controls as the best in any Zelda game, writing that "when the correct method to defeat each foe finally clicked, I felt a sense of satisfaction that repeatedly tapping the A button never provided."[50] GamesRadar however felt that "though we still prefer traditional button inputs, we have to admit that the Wii MotionPlus really does work well here overall, and while the detractions are there, they're relatively small."[54] Eurogamer called the motion controls "as integral to this game as the analogue stick was to Mario 64." Eurogamer's reviewer stated that the MotionPlus controls "perfectly" track movement "without requiring energetic gestures" and give players a "more direct link to Link."[46] In contrast to most reviews, EGM's reviewer Ray Carsillo felt that the MotionPlus controls follow the player "too well." He preferred the simpler motion controls found in the Wii version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess stating, "...this could’ve been one of the greatest Zelda games yet had the controls just worked" and ended by saying, "Even with cruddy controls, [the game] is still an epic adventure worthy of the franchise—and it should absolutely be played by all fans of the series."[45]

1UP particularly noted the dungeons, a staple of the series, that "consistently stand as the most brilliant element of the Zelda formula, and Skyward Sword sends you exploring though catacombs on par with some of the best in the series", that "the developer has artfully crafted intelligently designed spaces that utilize your entire skill set". They were however less pleased with the quests outside of the main story, such as the "fetch quests" that they felt "start to feel more like filler material than inspired game design".[63] Joystiq echoed this view feeling that some side quests did "nothing but stuff a few more insubstantial hours". However, they still praised the overall length of the game that "without them, would still be 25 to 30 hours long", going on to state "Skyward Sword is given plenty of time to shine through its excess, and when it does, it will completely consume you."[65] In contrast, Wired commented on what they felt was "tons of content that doesn’t get repetitive", while also noting that "you don’t have to do any of these things to complete the game, but they are good substantial rewards for going the extra mile".[62] Metro GameCentral gave the game a perfect score of 10 out of 10, describing the game as a "revolution" that will "not only change the way you think about Zelda but also the whole concept of motion controls."[67]

Skyward Sword received positive critical acclaim in Japan as well. Famitsu magazine gave Skyward Sword a perfect 40/40 score making it only the sixteenth game in the publication's history to receive the honor and is also the third Zelda game to receive the honor.[47] ScrewAttack gave this game a 9.5 out of 10.[89] Giant Bomb gave the game a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.[90]

GameSpot however gave the game a comparatively lower score of 7.5/10, mainly criticizing its motion controls, linear progression and formulaic gameplay. GameSpot critic Tom Mc Shea states in his opening paragraph, "Nintendo has kept the elements that have hung like an acidic cloud over past iterations while crafting a new control system to keep it from feeling like the same old game. Inconsistent controls continually torment poor Link, and the predictable structure does little to distract you from these faults."[91] Shortly thereafter, GameSpot added an addendum to the review, stating that it incorrectly described the Wii Remote's infrared sensor as being responsible for aiming in the game and that the review had been edited accordingly. Mc Shea later explained that although there was some misinformation regarding the controls, the other faults of the game still remain.

Skyward Sword has won Game of the Year awards from organizations and publications such as Edge,[71] Metro GameCentral,[74] ScrewAttack,[78] Nintendo Life,[76] Click,[70] San Jose Mercury News,[77] MMGN,[75] Bluefield Daily Telegraph,[69] The Washington Examiner,[79] and G4,[72] where it won a poll consisting of over 500,000 votes.[73] The game also won Wii Game of the Year awards from organizations and publications such as the Spike Video Game Awards,[84] UGO Networks,[85] IGN,[82] GameTrailers,[81] Nintendo Life,[76] GameSpot (Readers' Choice),[80] and GameZone.[83] IGN has also nominated Skyward Sword for the awards of "Best Adventure Game", "Best Graphics", "Best Sound", "Best Developer" (Nintendo EAD), and overall "Game of the Year".[92] GameTrailers also gave it the "Best Motion Controls" award and nominated it for the "Most Innovative" and "Best Action Adventure" awards.[81]

Sales

In Japan, roughly 195,000 copies were sold in its first week as well.[93] This adds up to a total first week sales of 919,119. According to Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime, Skyward Sword is the fastest selling title in the Legend of Zelda series.[94]

References

  1. ^ a b "Adventure in the Desert Awaits Link in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for Wii". 4 November 2011.
  2. ^ a b East, Thomas (17 August 2011). "New Nintendo Wii release schedule". Official Nintendo Magazine. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ "ゼルダの伝説 スカイウォードソード". Nintendo. 13 September 2011.
  4. ^ "Nintendo Games - The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword-Nintendo Games - Nintendo.com.au:". Nintendo. 29 September 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Harris, Craig (June 16, 2010). "E3 2010: Eiji Aonuma's "Trapped in the Zelda Cage"". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
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  12. ^ a b c d e f g h "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved Decemer 30, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  13. ^ Robinson, Martin (November 19, 2009). "New Details on Next Zelda". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  14. ^ a b Watters, Chris (June 15, 2010). "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Hands-On". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
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  17. ^ a b c d e Harris, Craig (June 15, 2010). "E3 2010: Nintendo Developer Roundtable Live Blog". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  18. ^ Long, Neil; Scullion, Chris. "Game On – The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword". Official Nintendo Magazine (July 2010). Future Publishing Limited: 49–55.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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  22. ^ Official Nintendo Magazine. Future Publishing Limited. November 2008. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. ^ Kohler, Chris (June 12, 2009). "Q&A: Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto on Mario, Zelda, Project Natal and More". Wired: GameLife. Condé Nast Digital. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
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