Gamescom 2011

Zelda: Skyward Sword unsheathed November 20

Brendan Sinclair
By Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor

Nintendo readies Link's latest adventure on Wii; European launch confirmed for November 18.

Zelda fans have been eagerly awaiting Skyward Sword since it was first mentioned by Shigeru Miyamoto a little over two years ago. The wait is almost over, as Nintendo today announced the game will launch in Europe on November 18, with a North American debut following on November 20.

Link will return just in time to save gamers from a long Thanksgiving weekend spent with family.

Link will return just in time to save gamers from a long Thanksgiving weekend spent with family.

Designed around Nintendo's Wii Remote Plus (or Wii Remote with MotionPlus accessory), Skyward Sword features a new combat system that approximates one-to-one controller-to-sword motion. Beyond giving Link new ways to cut up the usual assortment of carnivorous plants, disembodied eyeballs, and orcish monsters, the game features new gadgets and abilities for the lithe protagonist to employ.

Link can now roll bombs like bowling balls, channel his inner Indiana Jones with a whip attack, or retrieve hard-to-reach items with a remote-control flying beetle. Players will also get a new form of transportation, as Link will be able to ride a bird through the clouds to get from place to place.

Despite those tweaks, Skyward Sword will retain many of the distinctive traits of the series, including its standard breakdown between puzzle-laden dungeons and a sprawling overworld. Nintendo is touting Skyward Sword as "the biggest game in the series yet," with a story that serves as a prequel of sorts to the Nintendo 64 classic The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time (recently remade for the 3DS).

For more on The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

Brendan Sinclair
By Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor

Brendan Sinclair has been a games journalist since 1999. His tastes are eclectic, though he has a definite affinity for games with arcade roots. He's Canadian, but has also been at home in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco.

138 Comments

  • Valt-Dweller

    Posted Aug 27, 2011 9:52 pm GMT

    @Boochie I never said that the release of Skyrim and Uncharted 3 will in anyway lessen the sales from Skyward Sword. I'm just saying November is a huge release month for big blockbuster games, and the fact that i am going to be buying Skyrim, U3, and Zelda is gonna be a huge amount of cash spent on video games in a month.

    And by the way your comment was all over the place. What does "people no enjoying Mario" have to do with the release date of Zelda. Read your comment a few times before you submit it.

  • coop36

    Posted Aug 27, 2011 6:01 am GMT

    I hope it lives up to expectations (for everyones sake). If not, I still havent played WInd Waker yet.

  • NightFox313

    Posted Aug 22, 2011 1:10 pm GMT

    @bloodyrooster I know, right. Now I'll be having cuccos for Thanksgiving dinner instead of turkey.

  • janderdarkmoon

    Posted Aug 22, 2011 8:59 am GMT

    Haven't touched my Wii in a year, how fitting the first and last games I play on it will be Zelda titles.

  • bloodyrooster

    Posted Aug 19, 2011 9:47 pm GMT

    I love how this game is labeled as the savior from thanksgiving families

  • ShadowofSonic

    Posted Aug 19, 2011 4:50 pm GMT

    @Trickymaster --But this is a Wii game. Not Wii U.

  • Trickymaster

    Posted Aug 19, 2011 4:25 pm GMT

    I'm so tired of my Xbox360. Btw. that thing ibroke down 2 months after the guarantee expired. Skyward Sword will be my first Wii U title. Zelda is one of the last few games that make me feel like I'm visiting a new world. F**k MW 3 and Halo. I like the graphical style they used. It is a great way to hide the limits of the hardware. Do you think they will make a Wii U version with upgraded graphics?

    @Chico_Azteca C'mon. Ask someone for $1 every day and you'll have $74 by November.

  • ForgottenJedi

    Posted Aug 19, 2011 4:12 am GMT

    I think the reason this game will be so great is that it is not just another generic first-person shooter. I know an almost foreign concept in today’s world of the call of duty the halo and the battlefield videogames. However, Nintendo has always been one to push boundaries and not make games like the call of duty... I have forgotten what number they are up to and if I look it up, they will have a new one before I post this and you read it. Furthermore, I can guarantee that it will be remarkable similar to the game before it. Unlike Skyward Sword where it will be remarkably different in many aspects from Twilight Princess because Nintendo still has some originality in their ideas.

  • inso-maniac

    Posted Aug 19, 2011 12:36 am GMT

    i didnt like this art style at first.but as usual its growing on me

  • WR_Platinum

    Posted Aug 18, 2011 10:40 pm GMT

    I want this NOW!

  • Masta_Rix

    Posted Aug 18, 2011 9:28 pm GMT

    The only reason I still have a Wii is coming... Let my wipe off the spider webs. Wheres the multiplayer wii motion plus fighting games. make like dota nintendo 5 vs 5 with motion plus support air combos n stuff. Before I die of boredom.

  • killer690

    Posted Aug 18, 2011 8:46 pm GMT

    F*ck Yeah!!! YEs I am a Fanboy.

  • Chico_Azteca

    Posted Aug 18, 2011 5:47 pm GMT

    My body is ready

    My wallet is not

  • superfakerbros

    Posted Aug 18, 2011 2:42 pm GMT

    @grbolivar

    How do you know there's limited scenery, lack of innovation, etc.? Ntm, you're complaining about the graphics. I personally don't know what's wrong with it, I can't complain about the graphics AT ALL. Besides, Nintendo themselves have said they're going to change up things such as combat, dungeon format, adventure formula, etc. and Zelda will always remain as one of the best, top notch, innovative games of all time.

  • cierraroxs

    Posted Aug 18, 2011 1:42 pm GMT

    Finally. I bought a Wii just for the purpose of getting this game. I'm pumped.

  • Henninger

    Posted Aug 18, 2011 12:46 pm GMT

    A prequel to OOT huh?? Hmm this will b interesting. I already pre-ordered it so i guess i'll just have 2 patiently wait 4 it 2 drop.

  • grbolivar posted Aug 18, 2011 11:04 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    grbolivar

    Posted Aug 18, 2011 11:04 am GMT (hide)

    I was looking to the headline of this news with the huge photo of Skyward Sword along the headlines of other games like Uncharted 3 and Battlefield 3.... and that photo looked sooo 2001 (graphically speaking) that I didn't realize it was about the new Zelda until I read the title.

    This game doesn't belong to 2011, it's at most a 2005 game: dated graphics, limited scenery, ugly character design... Oh Zelda! What has Nintendo done to you?? You once were one of the best, top notch, innovative games of all time...

  • AvnKnight

    Posted Aug 18, 2011 11:02 am GMT

    Cant wait to plug in my wii for the first time in years, hope it didnt get fat from not getting to play 60 everyday.