By Dean Moses
Game: Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Rating: E for Everyone 10+
Cost: $59.99
Some franchises are more than just intellectual properties to consumers. Like smelling a home-cooked meal for the first time since one’s youth, playing a retro video game can invoke childhood memories. Returning to the sights and sounds of a once familiar level can summon moments in time: thoughts, feelings, and even events originally experienced all those years ago. Like all pieces of art, video games are a powerful medium, filling our heads with stories and visuals like that of a dream. Following this dream motif, Nintendo has given us a hefty dose of nostalgia in the HD port Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword game.
The Legend of Zelda
This action, adventure port sees Link once again fighting to save his childhood friend Zelda, as she also embarks on her journey to find her true destiny. According to legend, a Goddess protected the humans when evil burst through the depths of earth to destroy the land. The Goddess sent the humans skyward to protect them; however, upon sealing away the evil she sacrificed her divinity—becoming mortal. Link is set to traverse vast lands and battle an assortment of enemies to discover the truth behind this legend. Fans will enjoy playing this upgraded version, as they bask in the bright colored environments and improved visuals all appearing smoother than the original.
Sword Play
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword was originally released in 2011 on the Wii, and it’s updated HD version has not only improved the graphics, but it also enhanced the motion censored combat as well. Strapping your Joy Con to your wrist, and gripping it firmly, each swish of your hand smoothly corresponds to your movements—making it crucial for players to strategize gameplay. However, if you are not a fan of motion controls the HD version of the game allows for you to play using a control pad or handheld mode.
Conclusion
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a fun game to play, although for some fans it’s not the upgrade they wanted. To those who enjoyed playing the original, some would have liked Nintendo to fully remake it akin to the Gameboy Color version of The Legend of Zelda Link’s Awakening. Similarly, Nintendo did the same thing with Super Mario 3D All-Stars where among the three games, Super Mario 64 was also not remade. However, there are rumors that an anniversary edition may be released (even though the game series already passed its 35th year in February).
