Controller Buttons

Like every single video game released to date, each game in is played directly thanks to the controller of the console that supports it. Over the course of the years, certain Controller Buttons have served the same purposes, therefore making Link perform designated actions. Below is a list of the most important buttons (most of them featured on all Nintendo console controllers and handheld systems) for the games and their uses.

About Button Layout
It should be important to note that while functions performed in-game throughout the series based on button name have radically changed, the layout of Nintendo's controllers has changed, causing these differences. For example, the Z button moved from being a left-hand trigger on the Nintendo 64 to being a right-hand trigger on the GameCube, causing a function change. Game actions themselves have roughly stayed in the same spot on the controller, such as the Target function always being activated by a trigger on the left side of any given controller, regardless of name.

A Button
The A Button is arguably the most basic and elemental of all buttons, as it serves a high number of functions and roles. From the most general perspective, it acts as an Action Button. Whenever the button is pressed, Link performs whatever action the button's icon currently indicates. These actions include rolling, opening a door, reading, talking to someone, pulling or pushing objects, throwing or taking objects, etc. When a dialogue is in course, the button helps the text advance; when an option must be taken, pressing the button will take the option that is being highlighted; in some games it can even display item information while an inventory is being navigated.

In all the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance Zelda titles, the A Button can be mapped to various items while also serving as an action button. In, the A Button is used to stab with Link's sword.

In, the A Button is used to increase speed while sailing.

B Button
The B Button has to date served four major roles in the franchise. In, , and the GameCube version of , this button is used to swing Link's Sword (except for the MM3D:). In and the GameCube version of, it is possible to change which Sword to use with the B Button (this is done through the Equipment menu). In some rare cases, the button does not perform the same attack command. Several Masks from render Link unable to use his Sword, and instead allow him to use a different attack (such as detonating the Blast Mask, or shooting bubbles as Deku Link). When playing a minigame, the button might be assigned to another weapon, such as the Bow or Bombs.

In the 2D games, the Wii version of and SS undefined, the button is an item command; Link will use the item equipped from the Inventory every time the button is pressed. However, in SS -, which takes advantage of MotionPlus technology, this only occurs if the button is pressed lightly.

When the B Button is held in SS -, the inventory selection screen appears. Unlike the item selection in the Wii version of, this game's control scheme allows Link to select items from the inventory screen in real-time, without disrupting gameplay.

The fourth major purpose relates to menus and dialogues, and in these cases the button acts as a cancel command. If there is an option to perform an action, pressing B will usually be equivalent to pressing A to choose the "No" (or any equivalent) answer. This extends to the usage of an item that switches the perspective to first person, or simply viewing something in first person: Pressing B will switch it back to third person, and any item to be used will be put away.

These four major roles do not apply to The Legend of Zelda. In this case, the B Button acted as the item usage button.

In, the B Button is used to take out or put away the sail when at sea.

In Breath of the Wild and Skyward Sword HD, the B Button has several uses in different contexts including to put away the equipped weapon, to dismount, and to run.

Control Stick/Left Stick
The Nintendo 64 controller was the first Nintendo controller with a Control Stick. This stick was used to control Link with precision.

The GameCube and Wii Remote's Nunchuk includes a single Control Stick.

The Wii U GamePad returns to the GameCube's dual stick system. The controller has sticks in the upper right and upper left. As with previous iterations of the Control Stick, the GamePad's Left Stick moves Link.

C Buttons/C Stick/C Button/Right Stick
There are 4 C Buttons on the Nintendo 64 controller: Up, Down, Left, Right. The Up C Button is used to switch the perspective from third to first person (and vice-versa when it is pressed again), as well as to talk to Link's fairy companions, Navi or Tatl, when either wants to give the hero advice. The other three buttons can be assigned to items from the inventory, allowing more convenient item usage than in the older games, in which only one or item was usable at a time—with the B Button.

The GameCube controller replaces the C Buttons with the C Stick. In both and Twilight Priness, it has two functions. Tilting the C Stick unlocks the camera, allowing the player to adjust it at will. Tilting the C Stick up will switch the camera to first person. In, the camera position must be reset with the L Button before one is able to switch to first-person.

The Wii Remote's Nunchuk attachment includes a single C Button. This button is used in SS undefined to enter into first-person mode or to dowse.

The Wii U GamePad replaces the C Stick with the Right Stick. This stick has the same functionality as the C Stick.

The New Nintendo 3DS includes a C Stick, which works the same way as the Circle Pad Pro. It is used in to freely move the camera around.

Skyward Sword HD maps the motion controls to the Switch's Right Stick to swing the sword in different directions.

R Button
In the 3D games, whereas the B Button serves as the attack role, the R Button serves as the defense role. In the Nintendo 64 and GameCube games, Link uses his Shield for as long as the player holds the R Button. This evidently will not work if the Shield is either lost (see Like Like) or unequipped. In the case of, the button gains extra functions. For one, Link will only use the Shield when he is drawing the Sword; when he is not, pressing the button will make him crouch (and crawl) if the Control Stick is tilted as well. When standing in front of a wall, he will carefully sidles against it. Other actions include dropping an item (A will always throw it), and pulling and pushing blocks.

In the 2D games, R is commonly a dash button. In, Link can run quickly when the button is held. In, the button makes Link lift objects and roll. In almost all games, R also switches the menu screens by moving to the next menu screen on the right.

In and Twilight Princess HD, the R Button can be assigned to an item, with ZR becoming the shield button.

In Breath of the Wild, the R button is held for throwing the equipped weapon, or to throw bombs and barrels.

X and Y Buttons
With the GameCube controller, two new buttons were added: the X and Y buttons. These buttons are assigned to items in all GameCube Zelda games. In the GameCube and Virtual Console re-releases of and, the X and Y buttons are mapped to C Right and C Left, respectively. The X and Y buttons keep their functionality in.

In Breath of the Wild, the X Button is used to jump. The Y Button is used to attack.

In Skyward Sword HD, the X Button is used to take out the Goddess's Harp. The Y Button is used to reset motion controls.

Z and L Buttons
Unlike the other buttons, neither Z or L have had consistent roles through the series. In the Nintendo 64 games,, and in SS -, the Z Button aligns the camera with Link's viewing direction, and is used for targeting. When the menu screens are displayed, it shifts the menu to the next screen on the left in the Nintendo 64 games. In the original Gamecube version of, the Z Button, along with the X and Y-buttons, are assigned to items; in the GameCube version of , it makes Link talk with Midna; and in the Wii version of the same game, it serves as both a defense and a targeting command (simultaneously). The L Button, on the other hand, only enables and disables the map in the Nintendo 64 games. In the two 3D GameCube games, it replaces the Z Button as the targeting command. In, L opens the Inventory screen and in , and the GameCube versions of  and , it shifts the menu to the next screen on the left. In and Link's Awakening, holding L will use the Pegasus Boots if acquired. In Breath of the Wild, L activates the selected rune of the Sheikah Slate.

ZL and ZR Buttons
In the Virtual Console ports of both and, both of these act as the item button C Down from the originals.

These shoulder buttons act as the L and R Buttons of the GameCube version's controller in both and ; ZL engages the targeting system and ZR uses the shield (hold it up in, use it to attack in ).

In, though, the Circle Pad Pro's or New 3DS' ZL and ZR buttons only serve as extensions of L and R: ZL engages Z-targeting and ZR raises the shield. When using a Circle Pad Pro on the original 3DS, the extra triggers wake up the accessory if they or the C-stick have not been used for more than 5 minutes.

Control Pad
The Control Pad, also known as the Direction Pad, is used to move Link in all Zelda games before. With, the Control Pad's original functionality was replaced with the Control Stick. However, it still acts the same as the Control Stick within menus.

In the GameCube Zelda games, the Control Pad is used to manipulate the on-screen map. Pressing up on the Control Pad brings up a larger map of the surrounding area and, within dungeons, the dungeon map.

In the Wii version of, pressing Left, Right, or Down on the Control Pad assigns a previously set item to the B Button for actual use, while Up talks to Midna.

In SS -, Up brings out the Goddess's Harp, while Down talks to Fi while playing, and re-centers the cursor on menu screens. Left and Right control the zoom level of the map screen.

With, the Control Pad is used for functions specific to sailing. Up assigned to the Wind Waker, Left to the Cannon and Right for Grappling Hook.

Breath of the Wild uses Down to whistle, and the other three to quickly switch between different Weapons, Shields, Bows, Arrows, and Runes.

Start Button
The Start Button is usually used to pause the game, and sometimes opens various NaN Subscreens.

Select Button
The Select Button appears on some Nintendo consoles and controllers as a secondary pause function or a method of switching between options in various menus.

In The Adventure of Link, the Select Button is used to cast the equipped magic spell.

In, the Select Button is used to speak with TMC:.