This guide will explain the basic game controls for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword 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. Check out our Skyward Sword E3 2011 Demo Walkthrough if you want to know more about how the game plays!
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 A while holding Z: Jump (don't push the Control Stick), Dodge (while moving to the left or right), or Backflip (while moving away from an enemy) Press C: First-person camera view, pan the camera by pointing the Wii Remote Press Down on the D-pad: Press while pointer is engaged to recalibrate the Wii Remote; calls a partner: 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
Flight Controls
Point the Wii Remote: Control the flight path of your bird Swing the Wii Remote: Flap your bird's wings to climb higher Press A: Engage a burst of speed Press B: Slow down your bird
Item Controls
Shield: Flick the Nunchuk upwards to block with your shield; you can also flick the Nunchuk forward while blocking to perform a Shield Bash
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.