The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Game Controls

Skyward Sword Game Controls Guide

This guide will explain the basic game controls for the game in detail. Find out how you'll be using the Wii Motion Plus in the next Wii Zelda! Be aware that this is not a finalized guide and is only based on the Skyward Sword E3 2011 demo.

General Controls

Move the Control Stick in any direction: Move Link in the indicated direction
Press A while nearby a NPC or object: Action button (talk, examine, open doors, etc.)
Hold A: Dash quickly, has limited stamina, so watch the stamina meter!
Flick the Nunchuk while dashing: Rolling attack
Hold B: Open the item wheel, gesture with the Wii Remote to select an item and release B to equip it
Press B quickly while an item is equipped: Ready your equipped item
Press Z: Quickly recenter the camera behind Link
Hold Z: Keep the camera centered behind Link
Hold Z while facing an enemy: Z-target the enemy as long as the button is and the enemy is within range
Press C: First-person camera view, pan the camera by pointing the Wii Remote
Down on the D-pad: Call partner, summons your bird mount while skydiving and Phi while on the ground
Press the + button: Open map
Press the - button: Opens the secondary item wheel, which contains items like bottles and shields

Sword Controls

Swing the Wii Remote while sheathed: Draw out your sword
Swing the Wii Remote in any direction: Slash in the same direction you swing your sword
Thrust the Wii Remote straight forward: Stab
Swing the Wii Remote while jumping: Jump Attack
Swing the Wii Remote and Nunchuk together horizontally: Spin Attack
Swing the Wii Remote and Nunchuk together vertically: Vertical Spin Attack
Swing the Wii Remote and Nunchuk together when targeting a downed enemy: Finishing Blow

Item Controls

Slingshot: Press B to brandish your slingshot, then aim it with the Wii Remote and tap A to fire seeds. Works well for close-up and fast-moving targets.
Bow: Press B to brandish your bow, hold the C-button and draw the Nunchuk back to ready an arrow, then point the Wii Remote to aim and release the C-button to fire. The longer you hold down C, the more power you'll put behind the arrow. Works well for faraway stationary or slow-moving targets.
Bombs: Press B to brandish your bombs, then toss them with the Wii Remote. Depending on context, you can either place your bomb directly on the ground using A, toss it like a basketball by flicking the Wii Remote upwards, or roll it along the ground by thrusting the remote forward just like in Wii Sports Bowling.
Beetle: Press B to ready the Beetle, then tap the A button to let it fly. While it's flying, control its path by tilting the Wii Remote. The Beetle can sever ropes and vines and strike switches, and once upgraded it can also pick up items and drop them off on designated targets at will. A pillar of green light indicates Link's location. You can cancel your flight at any time at the press of a button.