The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is the sixteenth main installment of. It is the first game created specifically with the Wii in mind, and requires Wii Motion Plus. Upon its North American release, a special edition SS - bundle became available at the price of $69.99. The bundle includes a copy of SS -, as well as a gold Wii Remote Plus. Additionally, a limited edition CD, featuring music from 25th Anniversary Symphony concerts, is also packaged alongside all early purchases of the standard and special edition copies of SS -.

A high-definition remaster of the game,, was confirmed as part of the February 17, 2021 Nintendo Direct. It was released on July 16, 2021.

Prologue


Long before the events of SS -, the earth cracked and evil forces rushed out of the fissure. These forces attacked the people of the earth, slaughtering them and destroying their land. They did this in search of the SS:, the ultimate power capable of granting any wishes of its holder. This power, passed down by the NaN Golden Goddesss, was guarded by SS:, the goddess of the land. SS: gathered the SS: and the remaining survivors onto a piece of earth and sent it skyward beyond the clouds. This piece of land came to be known as SS:. With the NaN Humans safe, SS: joined the land dwellers and fought the evil forces in a war of unmatched scale and ferocity. SS: eventually sealed the evil forces away, restoring peace to the SS:. However, the NaN Humans remained in SS:, as SS: knew that the seal on the evil would not hold forever. SS: knew that she would be powerless to stop the forces for a second time, so she required the use of the SS: to defeat them again. However, a goddess cannot use the SS:, so SS: gave up her immortality and was reincarnated as a mortal SS:.

The SS:
In present-day SS:, a small civilization has been formed where most memories and records of the SS: have been forgotten and lost. The people of SS: know next to nothing about the land beneath the SS:. A young man named SS: is having a strange dream depicting a gigantic SS: and a mysterious SS:. He is awoken by a SS: owned by his childhood friend, SS:. The SS: gives him a letter from SS: asking him to meet with her at the SS: in preparation for the annual SS: scheduled to take place that day. SS: arrives at the SS: to find that his SS: has gone missing and begins to search for it. After overhearing SS:, SS:, and SS:, SS: discovers that they're responsible for his SS:'s disappearance, and that they hid his bird deep in the SS:. SS: takes a SS: from the SS: and enters the SS:. On the other end of it, he meets up with SS:, who came to assist him in finding his SS:. They start to continue down the path, but SS: hears a strange voice calling out to her, but quickly assures SS: that nothing is wrong. The two find the SS: and free him. SS: then asks SS: if he heard the voice she had heard earlier, and says that she feels as if someone is calling out to her. She proceeds to tell him about the possibility of land beneath the clouds called the SS:, said to be far more vast than SS:. She quickly brushes it off, and the two fly to the SS: together.

With all of the participants ready, the SS: begins. Despite SS: and his lackeys' efforts to prevent him from winning, SS: succeeds in grabbing the SS: from the talons of another SS:, making him the victor. SS: and SS: proceed to the SS: to complete the ceremony, where SS: bestows the blessings of the goddess upon SS: and gives him the SS:. To conclude the ceremony, SS: must jump off the SS: and land safely using the SS:. SS: pushes him off instead, and he manages to land in the center. SS: praises him and proposes that the two fly around the clouds together in celebration. However, as they are flying, a mysterious black tornado suddenly appears and rips SS: from her SS:, causing her to fall beneath the SS:. SS: tries to rescue her but is knocked unconscious by the tornado in the process.

SS:'s SS: takes him back to SS:. That night, SS: has a dream depicting SS: falling into the jaws of the same beast from his earlier dream. After waking up back in the SS:, he explains the events that transpired to SS:'s father, SS:. Although SS: tells him to rest, SS: soon hears the voice of the mysterious spirit once more and leaves his room, following the spirit to the SS:. A doorway opens, revealing the SS:. Inside, SS: finds a SS: in a pedestal. The figure appears from the sword and introduces herself as SS:. SS: tells him that he must take the SS: from the pedestal and embark on his journey as the chosen hero of SS:. Although he is apprehensive at first, SS: tells him that SS: is still alive, and SS: draws the blade. The two are joined moments after by SS:, who explains his hidden knowledge of a prophecy that foretold what is taking place before him. SS: tells SS: that to reach the SS: and rescue SS:, he must pierce the SS:, something nobody has ever done before. SS: remedies the situation by given them the SS:, which opens a passage through the SS: to the SS:.

Searching for SS:
The next day, after receiving his green SS: as the only graduating member of his class, SS: makes preparations and heads to the SS: to find SS:. As he descends, he arrives at the SS:. He notices a dark aura emanating from the center of a large pit. Upon witnessing this, he has yet another vision of the SS:. He descends into the pit and approaches the SS:, and hears a voice telling him to strike it with a SS:. SS: does so, and the sinister aura disappears. Afterward, he heads to the SS: at the top of the large crater. Inside, a mysterious SS: gives him a hint about SS:'s whereabouts, urging him to venture into the nearby SS: to find her. SS: ventures into SS: to search for SS: and shortly thereafter meets SS: the SS: after saving him from a group of NaN Red Bokoblins, showing him a SS: in return. Continuing his search, he discovers SS: the SS: and rescues them from even more NaN Red Bokoblins. SS: tells him that they ran into SS:, and that she hid with SS:, the elder. After rescuing the other NaN Kikwis, SS: directs SS: towards the SS: in the direction that SS: went. SS: also gives him the SS: to aid him later. He meets up with SS: who tells him about the NaN Goddess Cubes scattered across the SS:. SS: then enters the SS: after SS: senses SS:'s aura inside. SS: ventures through the SS: and obtains the SS: along the way, eventually arriving at the doorway to the SS: where SS: is said to be. Before he can enter, a strange figure appears in front of him. He explains to SS: that he is responsible for the tornado that brought SS: to the SS:. He tells SS: that SS: is just beyond the door to the SS: He then introduces himself as SS: SS: tells him that he and his forces nearly captured SS: before a SS: helped her escape. SS: then prepares to fight SS:, threatening to beat him within an inch of his life. SS: defeats him, but SS: realizes that SS:'s presence faded from the area and leaves, threatening to kill SS: if he interferes with him again. SS: enters the SS:, and SS: translates words that SS: left for him, indicating that SS: must purify her body at two different springs. SS: then receives the SS: from the SS: in the SS:, giving him passage to the SS:.

SS: returns to SS: and places the SS: alongside the SS: inside the SS:. With a new entrance to the SS: accessible, SS: travels to the SS:, where he continues his journey to find SS:. SS: meets a pair of NaN Mogmas who state they saw someone run past them, so they direct him in the direction they went. After continuing through the SS:, he meets SS: who explains how a group of NaN Red Bokoblins took over his territory. SS: defeats the NaN Red Bokoblins and SS: gives him the NaN Digging Mittss in return. SS: is eventually confronted by a mysterious person, who states that SS: is close ahead. SS: eventually reaches the SS: at the top of the SS: and finds it locked. SS: the SS: mentions a girl similar to SS: got taken into the SS:. SS: searches and finds the five NaN Piece of the Keies and enters the SS: after SS:. SS: makes his way through the SS:, obtaining the SS: along the way. He enters the room just before the SS: and discovers a chain on the ground emanating SS:'s aura. SS: rushes ahead searching for SS:, but SS: appears once again. He tells SS: that his troops had captured SS: so he rushed over to the SS:, but when he got there someone had already rescued SS: from the chain. In his frustration, SS: turns a boulder into SS: and makes it attack SS:. SS: triumphs against SS: and proceeds to the SS:. There, SS: is seen with the mysterious woman from earlier in front of a golden portal. The woman prevents her and SS: from reuniting, and SS: sadly tells SS: that she has to leave and apologizes to him before entering the portal. SS: tries to follow her, but the woman stops him. She chastises SS: for his failure to arrive in a timely fashion, and follows SS: through the portal, which disappears in a flash of light. SS: is left hurt and frustrated, and SS: translates another message from SS:, revealing that SS: is headed to SS:. SS: is then given the SS: which will open an entrance to SS:.

SS: returns to SS: and places the SS: inside the SS:, creating another entrance to the SS:. SS: sets out for SS:. SS: arrives at the SS: near the eastern corner of SS:. While traveling through the SS:, SS: comes across a SS: that when hit, reverts the immediate area to its past state. Doing so revives the NaN Ancient Robots which worked in the SS:. SS: eventually leaves the SS: and enters SS:. While exploring SS:, SS: discovers an SS: trapped in a cage by a pair of NaN Technoblins. SS: frees the SS: and in return, the SS: upgrades his SS: to the SS:. After making his way through SS:, SS: finds the SS:. However, the entrance is blocked by a large pile of rubble. SS: nearby explains to SS: that SS: and SS: entered the SS: just before an explosion covered the entrance. A nearby SS: explains that a second entrance can be found in the SS: in the center of SS:. SS: turns on the SS: which brings the SS: out of the SS:, allowing SS: to venture inside. Obtaining the SS: along the way, SS: eventually reaches the inside of the SS:. SS: and SS: stand at the SS:, but just before SS: can join them, SS: breaks through the rubble blocking the entrance to the SS:. SS: casts a barrier in front of SS:, preventing him from reaching SS:. SS: proceeds to engage in battle with SS:. In the midst of the frenetic action, SS: gives SS: the SS:. As SS:'s magic barrier dissipates, SS: intervenes in the battle and saves SS:, allowing her and SS: to escape through the SS:. On their way through, SS: instructs SS: to return to the SS: and then destroys the SS: to prevent SS: from following them. After vowing to kill SS: the next time they meet, SS: leaves the scene.

As SS: descends to the SS:, SS: intercepts him in midair and both fall to the SS:. As SS: is shocked with what he sees around him, SS: explains the situation, calming the former. SS:'s old attitude quickly returns and he tells SS: to head back to SS:, hoping to find and rescue SS: himself. However, the old woman at the SS: tells SS: that he will not be the one to save SS:, and he leaves the SS: in anger. The old woman reveals that SS:'s bodyguard's name is SS:. The old woman then teaches SS: the "SS:". As he plays it on the SS:, a large structure appears behind him and is revealed to be a second SS:. Before the old woman can finish explaining, a beast known as SS: responds to the appearance of the SS: and breaks free of its seal. Outside, SS: becomes scared from the sudden shaking. Although it is too powerful for SS: to destroy, he succeeds in sealing SS: back into its pit with a SS:. The old woman states that she is impressed that SS: was able to confine SS: again, although SS: will likely escape its bonds once again soon. The old woman and SS: return to the SS: where the old woman explains to SS: that he cannot activate the second SS: until the SS: is more powerful. She tells SS: to seek out the three NaN Sacred Flames of the NaN Golden Goddesss for this purpose. The old woman directs SS: to SS: where someone holds the knowledge of the lyrics to the SS:, which has clues hidden of where to find the three NaN Sacred Flames. SS: returns with a feeling of uselessness and laments that he is unable to save SS:. However, the old woman states that he will find his part to play in SS:'s plans.

The NaN Sacred Flames
SS: returns to SS: to find clues to the whereabouts of the three NaN Sacred Flames. He is eventually brought to SS: who knows the lyrics to the "SS:". Using the SS:, SS: rotates one windmill in SS: to make it face the SS: like the SS: suggests, but the second windmill is missing the SS: used to turn the windmill. SS: nearby mentions that SS: at the SS: said that he has a flying robot that can carry objects back from the SS:. SS: asks SS: about the flying robot to see if he can use if to retrieve the SS: but finds that the robot, named SS:, has been broken for a long time. SS: mentions that he can fix SS: with an SS:, however, he has no idea what an SS: is. SS: then gives him an SS: that he found at SS:, much to SS:'s surprise. SS: reawakens and thanks SS: for fixing him. SS: is reluctant to help SS: at first, but upon seeing SS:, he agrees to help SS:. SS: eventually finds the SS: near the SS: on the SS:. SS: then carries the SS: back to SS:. SS: then fixes the SS: back onto the windmill. SS: is then finally able to turn the windmill to face the SS:, causing the SS: to open upwards to reveal a new platform. SS: needs to perform the "SS:" on the SS: by the shrine at the top of the structure, as written on a nearby SS:. In response, the SS: fires a beam into the large SS: in the distance, creating an opening. SS: is able to fly into the SS:, where he discovers the SS:. Inside, SS: strikes a SS: with a SS: which makes a SS: appear, simultaneously awakening a message from SS: within SS:. The message states that to obtain the NaN Sacred Flamess, SS: must complete three trials and receive three tools. SS: then teaches SS: a SS: known as "SS:".

With this new song, SS: travels to SS: and uses "SS:" to reveal the SS:. SS: thrusts the SS: into the SS: and is taken to the SS:, a parallel dimension created by SS: for the chosen hero to prove himself. SS: is tasked with filling his SS: with the NaN Tear of Farores while avoiding the NaN Guardians. After SS: manages to fill the SS:, he receives the SS:, allowing him to swim deeper in SS: and perform a spin maneuver. Back in SS:, he uses the SS: to get inside the SS: through an underwater passage. SS: climbs to the top where he meets the SS: hermit, SS:. SS: asks him about the NaN Sacred Flames to which he explains how SS: left SS: in the care of the SS:. SS: gives SS: directions to her lair in SS:, as well as the solution for opening the sealed door to SS:. SS: successfully opens the gate and enters SS:. While traveling through the small river in SS:, SS: encounters a SS:, who is frightened at the sight of SS:. SS: trails after the SS: who demands SS: to stop following her. To the SS:'s surprise, SS: persists and breaks through a wooden barrier blocking his path. The SS: notices that SS: carries the SS: and realizes that he is the chosen hero and gets the idea that SS: can help the SS:. The SS: explains that someone came in with a gang of monsters and attacked the SS:. The attacker managed to wound the SS: and that the SS: don't have what they need for the SS: to heal completely, so she asks SS: to talk with the SS:. SS: eventually reaches the SS:'s lair, and he finds SS:, the SS: presiding over SS:. SS: notices that SS: carries the SS: and realizes that SS: must be SS:'s chosen hero, however, SS: isn't convinced. SS: learns that the mysterious attacker was SS: and now is healing in a SS: full of SS:. SS: tells SS: to bring her SS: to heal her wounds, promising to reveal the path to SS: in return. SS: returns to the SS: and bottles some SS:. SS: pours it into the SS: and SS: is revived. In return, SS: reveals that SS: lies within the SS:, and tells SS: that they will meet again. SS: ventures through the SS: obtaining the SS: along the way. SS: eventually reaches the room before the SS: but is stopped by SS:. He explains to SS: that he is busy trying to revive the SS: and he doesn't want SS: to get in his way. SS: animates the robotic monster SS: and leaves the room, leaving SS: to battle SS:. SS: takes down SS: and enters the next room where he finds SS:. SS: tempers the SS: with the SS:, transforming it into the SS:. SS: tells SS: that he can now learn a new song and that they should return to the SS:.

SS: returns to the SS: and receives a new message from SS:. SS: is then taught a new song, "SS:". SS: then heads for SS: to search for another SS:. SS: locates the SS: and enters a new SS:, known as SS:. SS: collects all of the NaN Tear of Nayrus and completes the trial, earning him the NaN Clawshots. He uses the NaN Clawshots to access the SS:, where he meets SS: the SS: who says he is researching the ancient three NaN Dragons of the SS:. SS: mentions that he is looking for a SS: and SS: gives him a key to access the SS:. SS: states that the next SS: is somewhere in the region and SS: begins his search. At the edge of the harbor, SS: strikes a SS: in an old SS:, which revives the SS:, SS:. SS: explains that he once captained the SS: tasked with protecting SS:. SS: explains that he and his crew were attacked by monsters that were after SS:. The monsters then used the SS:'s ability to turn invisible to hide away from SS:. SS: tells SS: that he was searching for SS: and SS: offers for SS: to help him search for the SS:. SS: agrees, and SS: mentions that before they can search for the SS:, they need a proper SS:, which they can find at SS:. SS: climbs to the top of SS: and locates the SS: within. With the SS: in hand, SS: and SS: set out for the SS: to search for clues relating to the SS:'s location. After traversing the SS: and reaching the SS:, SS: suggests that they dig through the built-up sand to find any clues. SS: begins to blow away the sand but is attacked by a SS: who had built a nest in the unused SS:. SS: explains that since the nest has been made by the SS:, it had probably destroyed any clues relating to the SS:. SS: returns to SS: and explains the situation, to which SS: states that the only other place that they can search for clues would be the SS:. SS: enters the SS: and brings a SS: to a pedestal that raises the outside of the SS:. Outside, SS: is able to gather enough information to allow SS: to douse for the SS:. SS: tracks down the SS: and reveals it from its invisibility, and he quickly climbs on board. SS: ventures through the SS: and defeats the pirate captain, SS:, and obtains the SS:. SS: hits a SS: which reverts the entire SS: to a past state, allowing SS: to climb aboard. SS: frees the crew and in return, they give him a SS: so he can get to the SS: as well as instructions on how to find SS:. SS: finds the SS: and uses it to unlock the door to the SS: where he can find SS:. SS: enters the room, but before he can find SS:, large tentacles tear holes in the ship. SS: hurries outside and battles the gargantuan monster SS: to stop it from tearing apart the SS:. SS: defeats SS: and finds SS:, purifying and reforging the SS: into the SS:. With his SS: now enhanced, SS: advises SS: to return to the SS: and learn a new melody. SS: thanks SS: for helping him get his SS: back and explains that he and his crew were able to fix all the damage caused by SS:.

With only one SS: left, SS: returns to the SS: and receives a message from SS: and learns the song known as "SS:". SS: returns to SS: and enters the third SS:, SS:. SS: successfully collects all 15 NaN Tear of Dins and is given the NaN Fireshield Earrings. Using the protective jewelry, SS: heads to the SS: and SS: states that the final SS: is most likely in this region. SS: eventually reaches a gate of SS: where he finds SS: trying to get past the flames. SS: pours SS: on a nearby SS: statue which extinguishes the NaN Fires, but then finds a larger statue that requires more SS: than an SS: would be able to hold. SS: returns to SS: and asks if he can borrow her SS: to carry enough SS:, which she allows. SS: calls SS: to carry the SS: and they return to the SS:. SS: descends to the entrance of SS: instead of the SS:, and he refuses when SS: asks him to return to the SS: so they can get to the SS:. SS: is then forced to escort SS: up to the SS: on foot. SS: pours the SS: and the SS: statue and the NaN Fires are extinguished. SS: then ventures through the SS: and meets SS: the SS:, who gives him a clue to find a huge treasure. SS: continues through the SS: and frees the SS:, SS:, who gives him the SS: in return. SS: frees another SS:, SS:, who in thanks gives SS: the SS:. SS: meets another SS:, SS: who gives him a SS: in apology for thinking that SS: was a monster. SS: finally reaches SS:, however, before he can access the SS:, he finds SS: looking around the room. SS: shows SS: some ancient drawings and explains that he has found out about the existence of the second SS:. SS: asks SS: to reveal its location and in return, he will spare his life, but he refuses. Although SS: partially transforms his body to become more powerful, SS: succeeds in besting him, incurring his wrath. SS: leaves the SS: and SS: obtains the final SS:, improving the SS: into the SS:.

With the evil-repelling sacred blade in hand, SS: returns to the SS: to open the SS:. However, before SS: can activate the SS:, SS: breaks from its seal once again, reacting to the power of the SS:. SS: manages to seal SS: away for a second time with help from SS:, who came out of his depression and built a SS:-flinging catapult named the SS: to deal with the monster. Finally, SS: is able to activate the second SS:. SS: goes through the SS:, arriving shortly after SS: had sealed away the Demon King, SS:, and sent SS: heavenward with the surviving NaN Humans and the SS:. SS: meets with SS:, who explains the events of the war between SS: and SS:. After she sealed away SS:, SS: knew that her power would not bind him forever. With this in mind, she devised a plan to destroy SS: once and for all. SS: first created SS: in order to aid her chosen hero. Second, SS: knew that the SS: could only be used by a mortal to destroy SS:, so she gave up her immortality and transferred her soul to the body of a mortal. The chosen hero became SS:, and the reborn goddess became SS:. She also reveals that The Imprisoned is Demise's weakened form, and thanks SS: for repeatedly confining it in the SS:. She blesses the SS: with the power of SS:, causing it to take on its true form, the SS:. SS: knew that SS: would charge headfirst into peril without hesitation if it meant saving SS:, and SS: apologizes to SS: for using him (as SS:) to bring about the ultimate destruction of SS:. SS: then tells SS: that as the reincarnation of SS:, she must remain in a deep sleep for thousands of years to keep SS: imprisoned within his seal. She seals herself into a crystal and tells SS: that he must find and use the SS: to destroy SS: so that she will be able to wake up in their own time. After an emotional goodbye, SS: returns to the present and sets out to find clues to the location of the SS:. SS: decides to stay behind at the SS: to help the old woman.

The Golden Power
SS: returns to SS: where the SS: is supposedly hidden, and asks SS: what he knows about it. However, SS: has little knowledge of the SS:, and instead directs SS: to SS:, the great Sky Spirit, who would most likely know the location of the SS:. SS: instructs SS: to talk to Instructor SS: about the location of SS:, as he recently did reasearch on the subject. However, Instructor SS: informs SS: that SS: has been acting strange lately and suggests that he is possessed. SS: insists that he must talk with SS:, so SS: teaches him and his SS: the SS: manuever to try and free SS:. SS: suggests that SS: speaks to SS:, the owner of the SS:, as he makes an offering of his SS: to SS: on a yearly basis. SS: offers to take the SS: to SS: in his stead, and brings it inside the SS:. The SS: succeeds in luring in SS:, however, SS: is indeed possessed by a creature known as SS:. SS: battles and destroys SS:, rescuing SS: and returning him to his senses. SS: correctly gusses that SS: is the chosen hero and that he is seeking the SS:. SS: explains that even he does not know where the SS: lies, but he did have a clue given to him by SS:. SS: intructs SS: to seek out the three NaN Dragons on the SS: who know of three separate parts to a song known as the "SS:", which will supposedly lead the way to the SS:.

When SS: descends to SS:, a mysterious anomaly prevents him from going anywhere but the SS:. Upon arrival, SS: breaks from its seal for a third time. SS: teams up with SS: to seal SS: for a third time. Back in the SS:, SS: explains that he must learn the full SS: to retrieve the SS:, and the old woman explains that SS: cannot enter SS: because it is currently flooded with SS:. To keep the SS: safe from this flood, the old woman placed a seal on the gate to SS: that will only hold as long as the gate is not opened. SS: decides to use his SS: to fling SS: into the woods. SS: lands in the flooded woods and investigates the inside of the SS:, where the SS: supposedly emerged from. Inside, SS: appears to SS: from the SS:, where she informs him that she flooded SS: in order to get rid of the monsters in the area. She offers him the challenge of collecting the notes to her part of the "SS:" in the form of NaN Tadtones. SS: completes the challenge and is taught SS:'s part of the SS: before she decides to cause the flooding to recede, returning NaN Faron Woodss to its original state.

When SS: descends to SS: to visit the SS: the SS:, a volcanic eruption throws him out of the sky, knocking him unconscious. As he comes to, he finds that the NaN Red Bokoblins had set up a new base in the area and took the opportunity to badly injure SS: and steal his NaN Items. SS: finds himself in a cell with no way out, until SS: the SS:, whom he had met in the SS:, burrows in and reveals that he had stolen SS:'s NaN Mogma Mittss back from the NaN Bokoblins, allowing SS: to burrow out of the cell and begin recovering his NaN Items. However, without the SS:, SS: is unable to fight the NaN Red Bokoblins directly and must use stealth to evade them and find his NaN Items. SS: manages to recover his SS: in the SS:, where SS: explains that she noticed SS:'s aura emanating nearby. After some time, SS: manages to recover all of his NaN Items and finds SS:, who is suprised to see a SS: that can withstand the heat of the SS:. Unlike SS:, SS: recognizes SS: as SS:'s chosen hero and teaches him his part of the "SS:".

When SS: descends to visit the SS:, SS:, he finds SS: the SS: who asks him about his search for NaN Sacred Flames. SS: tells SS: that he discovered a narrow passageway that leads to a hidden area in SS:. SS: crawls through the small tunnel and ends up in SS:, where SS: supposedly lives. However, he finds nothing but a large skeleton, suggesting that SS: had somehow died. SS: recovers a SS: and finds a room with a SS: in a SS:, which, before it broke down, was about to be sent to SS:. Activating the SS:, SS: is able to proceed around and through the caves to reach SS:'s skeleton, shifting time backwards to a point when he was still alive. SS: is shown to be very ill and on the verge of death. SS: realizes that SS: is SS:'s chosen hero, and explains that he cannot teach SS: his part of the SS: in this condition. The only way SS: could be cured would be to eat the fruit from the SS:. A SS: was planted in SS:, but it is unable to flourish in the desert's harsh climate, so SS: takes it to the SS:. SS: brings the SS: back through the SS: to the SS:, where he plants it, allowing it to grow and sprout a SS: in present day's SS:. Taking the fruit, SS: brings it to SS: and saves his life, allowing him to teach SS: his part of the "SS:".

With the three parts of the "SS:", SS: returns to SS: in the SS:. SS: combines the three NaN Dragons' parts with his own to teach SS: the entirity of the "SS:". With the full song in hand, SS: returns to SS: and uses the song to open the SS: to the final SS:, the SS:. SS: collects all of the NaN Sacred Tears and receives the SS:. SS: explains that a second SS: exists somewhere in SS:, and bringing the two together will reveal the path to the SS:. SS: identifies the SS: as the missing eye of a statue of a SS: and replaces the missing eye, revealing the SS:. SS: enters the mysterious SS: and eventually reaches a mark on the ground, where SS: instructs SS: to offer his SS: to it to reveal a piece of the SS:. SS: conquers the many trials in the SS:, and finally he obtains the completed SS:.

With the SS: in hand, SS: is transported to the top of the SS: and he makes his wish: the destruction of SS:. In response to his wish, the SS: breaks the entire SS: breaks free from SS: and it plummets down to the SS:, returning to its original location at the SS:, crushing and destroying SS: as it attempts to escape its confines once more. SS: concludes that since SS: has been destroyed, SS: will awaken from her sleep. Descending from the SS:, SS: rushes into the SS: to witness SS:'s awakening, along with SS: and the old woman. The group bears witness to SS:'s return from her long sleep, and she and SS: are finally reunited.

The Final Showdown
The group has a heartfelt reunion, but out of nowhere, Series: ambushes them. He abducts Series: and enters the Series:, intending to use her to resurrect Series: in the distant past. SS: tries to stop him, but SS: just insults him and swats him away with ease. SS: escapes through the SS:, taking SS: with him. Regaining his strength from the ambush, SS: pursues him to the past, finding SS: on the ground as he emerges from the SS:. SS: explains that SS: ambushed her and passed through the large doors at the front of the SS: with SS:. SS: heads out to the SS: where SS: is beginning the ritual to revive SS:, who is still sealed in the past. To prevent SS: from stopping the ritual, SS: has his troops assail SS: in absurd numbers. SS: in his anger destroys the horde quickly and reaches SS: at the bottom of the spiral pit.

SS: expresses his rage at SS: for being too quick and throws SS: into the air, preparing to fight SS:. He raises SS: and himself on a high platform and reveals his true form as SS:, a spirit comparable to SS:. SS: states that he will kill SS: in an ironic way: by driving him off a high cliff. However, SS: does exactly that, driving SS: to the edge of the platform and knocking him off before plunging his SS: into his chest, hurting him greatly. SS:'s rage peaks as he summons different blades with which to battle. SS: continues to strike the gemstone in the center of SS:'s chest, besting him much to SS:'s humiliation. However, SS: reveals that the ritual he started continued while they battled. SS: rises from the pit in the SS:, swallowing SS:'s soul and returning to his original form: SS:.

SS: welcomes back his master before the latter silently raises his hand, using his power to draw his blade out from within SS:. SS: is then drawn into the blade, and SS: expresses his fascination with SS:'s courage. He remarks in disgust at SS: and how SS: was magnificent while immoratal, and he causes SS: to fall from the air, but before she can hit the ground, SS: arrives from nowhere and catches her. SS: expresses his fasination of how SS: and SS: would stand up to him, while NaN Humans from the past would have ran at the sight of him. SS: tells SS: that it will take some time for SS: to fully absorb SS:'s soul, giving SS: a chance to save her by destroying him. Seeing SS: defy his expectation of humankind by standing against him, SS: decides to give SS: the chance to duel him in another realm for the fate of the world, creating a dark portal that he enters. SS: warns SS: that he will not be able to go back if he enters the portal, unless he defeats SS:, and gives wishes him good luck. SS: follows him through the portal and finds SS: against a backdrop of the sky. SS: speaks with SS: before their battle begins, telling him of his intention to destroy him and take the SS: to rule the world for eternity. SS: is bested by SS: at swordplay, so SS: summons a thunderstorm to power his blade with SS:. However, SS: uses this to his advantage and does the same with the SS: and uses electrified NaN Skyward Strikes to match SS:'s power. Finally, SS: is knocked down on his back, and SS: leaps into the air, performing the SS: with the electified SS:, plunging it through the Demon King's chest. SS: stumbles to his feet and watches as his sword, SS:, as it disintegrates from his hand. SS: commends SS: for his fight, but warns him that he is not finished. SS: casts a curse that his will renew his hatred time and time again. SS:'s curse binds those who share the Series: and those with the Series: to his SS:, making them all be reborn to fight again in a cycle without end. SS: slowly fades away until he is just a black cloud, when the SS: glows a bright light. SS: raises his blade and absorbs the remains of the Demon King into the SS:.

SS: opens his eyes to find that he is in the SS:, where SS: congratulates him. He turns around to find SS: and SS:, where SS: confirms that the battle has been won, and the three prepare to return to their own time. Before they leave, SS: appears and brings SS: to a pedestal in the SS:. SS: explains that since SS: has defeated SS:, he has fulfilled his role as the hero, and that SS: had also fulfulled her role as the hero's guide. SS: instructs SS: to plunge the SS: into the pedestal, where he will leave it and SS: to rest for eternity. SS: does so, but just before she enters her endless sleep, SS: tells SS: that while she is unable to feel true emotion, she feels something best equated to happiness due to her time spent with SS:. SS: and SS: part, and SS: turns around to see SS: and SS: having a similar conversation. SS: is unable to return with the group to the future, as she is a being of that past. SS: states that as a member of the SS:, she must watch over the SS: to ensure that SS: does not reawaken, as well as the SS:. She declares that she will also watch over theSS:, and that it will eventually be secreted away from the knowledge of humankind to preserve the peace. SS: gives SS: one of her bracelets and SS: promises SS: that even though she will destroy the SS:, they will meet again. SS:, SS:, and SS: all return to their own time, and the SS: disappears, revealing that SS: destroyed it in the past. The old woman meets with them and she shows SS: the bracelet that she had given to SS: in the past, revealing that the old woman was an elderly SS: all along. As the group realizes this, SS: vanishes in particles of light, her duty to SS: finally fulfilled. As the group laments SS:'s death, the large gate in the back of the SS: opens to reveal the SS:, remaining in the pedestal where SS: had left it in the past.

Epilogue
After the credits, it is shown that SS:, SS:, and SS: fly down through the SS: to meet with SS:, SS:, and SS:. SS: returns to SS: with the others, bidding farewell to SS: and SS:, who are seen on the SS:. SS: tells SS: that she had always dreamt about the SS: and that she wants to remain there, and asks what SS:'s intentions are for the future. SS: smiles at her, and both his and SS:'s NaN Loftwings fly back into the sky, implying that SS: chose to stay with SS:.

After the events of SS -, the NaN Humans begin repopulating the Series:, and the descendants of SS: became known as NaN Hylians. A long era of peace reamined on the land, and the Series: was later renamed to Series:. However, despite SS: and SS:'s efforts to keep the Series: a secret, it was discovered and word spread across Series:. Many people began to seek out the Series:, causing an all-out war known as the Series: in the Series:. A powerful group of sorcerers known as the NaN Dark Interloperss found where the Series: was hidden in the Series:, and in order to keep the Series: safe, the NaN Golden Goddesss sent the NaN Spirit of Lights to banish them to the Series:. This will later cause the events of.

The Series: was calmed and the Series: was sealed away in the Series:. Series: the Series: built a new Series: around the Series:, making the Series: the key to the only entrance to the Series:. Series: prosepered in the new Series: and Series: was built, leading into the events of.

Controls
At E3 2010, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword was revealed during the Nintendo Press Conference, introduced by Reggie Fils-Aime and Shigeru Miyamoto. Miyamoto discussed that the use of the sword and shield would incorporate the motion capabilities of the Wii MotionPlus and use of the Nunchuk accessory. The sword could also be charged up by holding the Wii Remote straight up in the air, and, once it's charged up, the Remote must be swung downwards to release the beam as a projectile attack.

Since the Wii Remote serves as the sword, the Nunchuk becomes the shield: quickly shaking the Nunchuk will cause Link to raise his shield. The Nunchuk should be held up in front as if it were a real shield. Miyamoto demonstrated this by blocking attacks from Octoroks and even using the shield to send the projectile back at the enemy. Weapons such as Bombs, the Slingshot, and the Bow, the return of Sword Beams, and new items such as the Beetle and Whip were all showcased, all using the natural aiming and directional applications of the Wii MotionPlus.

The inventory is accessed by pressing and holding the B button, which brings up a "radial menu" on the screen (similar to the one in ). To choose the item that Link will equip, the Wii Remote must simply be either pointed or tilted in the direction of the desired item to select said item. The HUD can also be easily turned off if players find that it takes up too much space. One of the major changes in choosing items from the item screen or while drinking potions is that there is no pause in the action, so items are chosen in real time.

Previous rumors of a flying element were pushed further in an interview with Eiji Aonuma and Shigeru Miyamoto preceding the Nintendo E3 press conference on the Nintendo E3 Network with Aonuma saying that "the sky plays a key element." He also mentioned that the new Zelda isn't as big as (as far as physical places go), but rather more dense and in-depth.

Aonuma also mentioned that Wii MotionPlus was not originally intended for use with SS - because the controls weren't working well. But when Wii Sports Resort came out, it worked perfectly for that game, so they re-implemented it. Miyamoto furthermore stated that the Wii MotionPlus would not be used for every item in the game, saying that item and weapon controls "will be carefully weighed to see how MotionPlus/sensor bar [...] can make for the optimal control scheme."

This is the first (and currently only) Zelda adventure where it's indicated by a damage meter that Link's shield is taking damage under enemy attacks. Because of this, Link has to use more strategic ways of defending against enemies and, if the shield gets damaged in battle, he has to buy a new one or get it mended.

Overworld and Dungeons
SS - features a new map that is "a lot easier to follow than previous attempts." According to Aonuma and Miyamoto, this should "cut down on the amount of time you spend lost." Moreover, since some previous Zelda games had been focusing on things like story and dungeons, this title focuses more on "fun."

In the September 2010 issue of Nintendo Power, Eiji Aonuma once again spoke of trying to alter the "traditional flow" of Zelda games. He mentioned that the development team tried to take some elements of a dungeon and "actually move it out of those small connected rooms" into an area that is usually considered a field, with there not always being a boss at the end of that area.

Flying
As revealed during E3 2011, SS - includes flight. Link can go to different regions in Skyloft by riding a Loftwing but only once he completes his flying training at the beginning of the game. In this minigame, which is used to teach the young hero how to fly properly, Link must catch a specific bird that is carrying a Bird Statue to prove his worth as a knight of Skyloft and a Loftwing rider.

While flying, Link can jump off the Loftwing he's riding at any time to drop onto the smaller islands scattered throughout the sky, allowing him to explore each individual island as in. At any point, Link can drop below the clouds to find bird-like Save Statues found around Hyrule that will allow him to return to the clouds and be back to the central town of Skyloft.

Controlling the Loftwing is done similarly to controlling planes in the  Air Sports games, as the gliding is achieved through the Wii Remote. Pressing A allows Link to go faster, the B Button slows the Loftwing down, and flicking the controller vertically will make the Loftwing flap its wings.

Early Development
When Eiji Aonuma was asked in a 2007 interview if would be the Wii's only Zelda title, he replied, "I can't say, but I guess for now, maybe, yeah [laughs]. Not to say that it's going to be the final game. There's still a lot of potential with the Wii so there's still a possibility that there could be another Zelda for it. We do have some ideas in the works, but I can't say for sure because none of them have been approved and we're still very much in the planning process, so I hope you look forward to whatever comes out."

In a private meeting at E3 2007, Eiji Aonuma began to give details about the then-soon-to-be-released Zelda title,. He then began speaking about SS -. In his excitement, he began to reveal more details about the game, but was withheld from divulging too much information by Shigeru Miyamoto. He indicated that he would like to have a whole new control system for the game, and that it was possible that one-to-one swordplay could be implemented. He also said that he would like to make the game to appeal both to the casual and the hardcore gamer, a sentiment echoed by Miyamoto in a later interview.

It was stated by Shigeru Miyamoto that is "without a doubt, the last Zelda game as you know it in its present form." However, the meaning of this quote leaves quite a bit to interpretation. In that same vein, Eiji Aonuma more recently revealed that he is looking to alter the "traditional flow" of Zelda games, which usually consists of exploring a field, entering a dungeon, conquering the dungeon, and then returning to the field.

At E3 2008, Miyamoto confirmed that SS - was not the only new Zelda game in development at the time, and that separate teams had gotten together to create both DS and Wii Zelda games. was produced alongside SS - by a separate team and released before the end of the following year.

At a round-table at the 2009 Convention, Shigeru Miyamoto disclosed that SS - would be announced at E3 in 2010. Artwork shown at the roundtable was leaked shortly after, depicting a swordless, adult, right-handed Link, as well as a mysterious female figure, bearing resemblance to both the Fairy Queen and the Master Sword. Miyamoto admitted that SS - ' s version of Link is older than those of past titles, and placed an emphasis on Link's lack of a sword in the leaked artwork, particularly when questioned about the girl. The actual title of SS - was not revealed until E3 2010, before which it was known only as "Zelda Wii".

Game Developers Conference 2011 Preview
During the Game Developers Conference in March 2011, a new demo was exhibited, showing several new actions Link can perform during the adventure, not to mention new locales and environments. Link faces a redesigned Skulltula and two Lizalfos, manipulates a puzzle-like key in order to open a door, and comes face-to-face with Koloktos. The first significant NPC was revealed to be a mysterious, white-haired man, who can vanish into thin air similar to the way Midna and Zant teleport in.

Graphics
Graphically, the title incorporates a mixture between and : cel-shading and realistic elements, the former in relation to the overworld, and the latter in respect to Link's appearance and weaponry. However, in the September 2010 issue of Nintendo Power, Aonuma mentioned that neither style contributed to the choice of art styles, and that they simply chose it since the developers are focusing on "swordplay", meaning that they wanted to make the swordplay accessible and clear to the user.

Cel-shaded versions of enemies such as Octoroks, Deku Babas, and Bokoblins were apparent during the gameplay at the Conference in order to further explain the motion capabilities of the sword with Wii Motion Plus and the weapons during combat. In terms of the overworld, an open forest-like area was shown, that housed a large, central tree and a multitude of colorful attributes such as mushrooms, foliage, and even temple-like entrances along the area's walls.

SS -'s unique visual style was inspired by Miyamoto's love of impressionism, and the skies in the game are a tribute to. Plenty of visual cues to identify enemy attacks and weaknesses are given, and since "full realism" wouldn't work for these kinds of cues, the game developers decided that the best way to do so was to overexaggerate the character designs.

Audio
SS - has been confirmed to be fully orchestrated, with Miyamoto saying that "Nintendo couldn't do what it did with and not do the same with the next Zelda." However, an IGN interview with Aonuma states that the question whether to use orchestrated music had still not been answered by the time E3 came up. Moreover, Aonuma said that he was actually surprised at Miyamoto's response during the roundtable, saying that he hasn't had a chance to talk to Miyamoto for his approval and that he might tell Aonuma that "he was just joking around."

In an Iwata Asks interview with  composer Mahito Yokota, it was confirmed again that the game's music would be orchestrated. According to Yokota, Shigeru Miyamoto said that adding orchestrated music for SS -'s E3 2010 showing was not necessary at the time, but at the end of the summer, they decided to add in orchestral music and Mahito Yokota joined the development team.

Timeline Placement
SS -'s in-game story establishes itself as the first game in the known Zelda timeline, exploring the beginning of the battle between good and evil within the legend, and establishing its key players: Zelda, as the incarnation of the Goddess Hylia, Link, the hero chosen by the Goddesses, and Ganondorf, as the manifestation of the Demon King Demise's hatred.

Eiji Aonuma had already confirmed during the game's development that in terms of the Zelda Timeline, SS - comes before, which was later confirmed in the timeline published in , when it was placed before and. Aonuma did however state that SS - will not necessarily always be the first entry in the chronology, giving the possibility for future games to occur earlier.

Reception
The game received universal acclaim, gaining a Metacritic rating of 93 (out of 100). It obtained a perfect score from IGN (10/10) and 98% from the UK Official Nintendo Magazine; it is tied with for the magazine's highest-ever review score. However, Gamespot rated it lower than previous games in the series, giving it a score of 7.5 out of 10. Fans have praised the new combat system, but complained about free-roaming in the sky, saying it lacked more interesting places to explore. In addition, the game has been criticized for being too linear.

The game sold over 2 million copies worldwide on a month of release. As of March 2012, the game had sold 3.52 million copies worldwide.

Trivia

 * Until the release of, SS - is said to have taken the longest development period in the history of the franchise.
 * This is the third game in the series that requires an external accessory (the Wii MotionPlus) to be played, the first two being on the Nintendo 64 (which required the Expansion Pak) and  on the Game Boy Advance (which required a Game Link Cable or Wireless Adapters).
 * The main theme of SS -, known as the "Ballad of the Goddess", is an orchestration of "Zelda's Lullaby" played in reverse.
 * SS - is the second game in the franchise that shares its Japanese subtitle with the rest of the world, being a direct transliteration of the English title ; the first is ., , , , and  all use the same title in English and Japanese, but they are not directly transliterated.
 * Despite being the earliest game in the timeline, the Hyrule of SS - is one of the more futuristic Zelda games in the series, having some of the most advanced technology yet, with an entire dungeon staffed by Ancient Robots and the existence of a large mining corporation that created the dungeon and its robotic denizens.
 * SS - is the first Zelda game to have the element of electricity on a major scale.
 * Despite being a Wii game, SS - only runs in 16:9 widescreen, even with the fullscreen setting for the Wii on. In the event that the Wii's default fullscreen mode is on while playing the game, the image is displayed in a letterbox format so as not to inconvenience those without widescreen televisions.
 * The American box art contains Hylian Language from even though SS - introduces a new Hylian Language.  Hylian is also scarcely featured within the game.
 * In the short Hylian text in the box art, the two words read translated "DIN" and "NAHRU" as a reference to Din and Nayru.
 * This is the first time the names "Din, Farore, and Nayru" are mentioned in the same game as "Faron, Eldin, and Lanayru."
 * The division of SS -'s surface world into three separate provinces that Link must dive into from The Sky is very similar to the division of into three continents that are only accessible if Tingle uses his Tingle Balloon from the top of Rupee Tower.
 * A game-ending glitch occurs if the quest for the "Song of the Hero" is done in a certain way. This prompted the release of the [[SS - Save Data Update Channel]].
 * SS - is the first 3D Zelda game on a home console where day and night do not alternate on their own. The only way for time to progress in the game is by having Link sleep on a bed in Skyloft.
 * This is the first Zelda game and the first 3D Zelda title to have a run feature without the need for an item such as the Pegasus Boots. This was also the first Zelda game in the series to feature a stamina meter.