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 SSHD:, the ultimate power capable of granting any wishes of its holder. This power, passed down by the NaN Golden Goddesss, was guarded by SSHD:, the goddess of the land. SSHD: gathered the SSHD: 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 SSHD:. With the NaN Humans safe, SSHD: joined the land dwellers and fought the evil forces in a war of unmatched scale and ferocity. SSHD: eventually sealed the evil forces away, restoring peace to the SSHD:. However, the NaN Humans remained in SSHD:, as SSHD: knew that the seal on the evil would not hold forever. SSHD: knew that she would be powerless to stop the forces for a second time, so she required the use of the SSHD: to defeat them again. However, a goddess cannot use the SSHD:, so SSHD: gave up her immortality and was reincarnated as a mortal SSHD:.

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

With all of the participants ready, the SSHD: begins. Despite SSHD: and his lackeys' efforts to prevent him from winning, SSHD: succeeds in grabbing the SSHD: from the talons of another SSHD:, making him the victor. SSHD: and SSHD: proceed to the SSHD: to complete the ceremony, where SSHD: bestows the blessings of the goddess upon SSHD: and gives him the SSHD:. To conclude the ceremony, SSHD: must jump off the SSHD: and land safely using the SSHD:. SSHD: pushes him off instead, and he manages to land in the center. SSHD: 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 SSHD: from her SSHD:, causing her to fall beneath the SSHD:. SSHD: tries to rescue her but is knocked unconscious by the tornado in the process.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With the SSHD: in hand, SSHD: is transported to the top of the SSHD: and he makes his wish: the destruction of SSHD:. In response to his wish, the SSHD: breaks the entire SSHD: breaks free from SSHD: and it plummets down to the SSHD:, returning to its original location at the SSHD:, crushing and destroying SSHD: as it attempts to escape its confines once more. SSHD: concludes that since SSHD: has been destroyed, SSHD: will awaken from her sleep. Descending from the SSHD:, SSHD: rushes into the SSHD: to witness SSHD:'s awakening, along with SSHD: and the old woman. The group bears witness to SSHD:'s return from her long sleep, and she and SSHD: 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. SSHD: tries to stop him, but SSHD: just insults him and swats him away with ease. SSHD: escapes through the SSHD:, taking SSHD: with him. Regaining his strength from the ambush, SSHD: pursues him to the past, finding SSHD: on the ground as he emerges from the SSHD:. SSHD: explains that SSHD: ambushed her and passed through the large doors at the front of the SSHD: with SSHD:. SSHD: heads out to the SSHD: where SSHD: is beginning the ritual to revive SSHD:, who is still sealed in the past. To prevent SSHD: from stopping the ritual, SSHD: has his troops assail SSHD: in SSHD:. SSHD: in his anger destroys the horde quickly and reaches SSHD: at the bottom of the spiral pit.

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

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

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

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

After the events of SS -, the NaN Humans begin repopulating the Series:, and the descendants of SSHD: became known as NaN Hylians. A long era of peace reamined on the land, and the Series: was later renamed to Series:. However, despite SSHD: and SSHD:'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

 * SS - is said to have taken the longest development period in the history of the franchise.
 * This is the second game in the series that requires an external accessory (the Wii MotionPlus) to be played, the first being in the Nintendo 64 version (which required the Expansion Pak).
 * 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 romanization of the English title (スカイウォードソード); the first is (トワイライトプリンセス)., , , , and  all use the same title in English and Japanese, but they are not directly romanized.
 * 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.
 * This is the first time the names "Din, Farore, and Nayru" are mentioned in the same game as "Faron, Eldin, and Lanayru."
 * In the short Hylian text in the box art, the two words read translated "DIN" and "NAHRU" as a reference to Din and Nayru.
 * 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.