I prefer the new controls. I don't get why people didn't like them. It made the entire game.
Future Zelda titles sticking with Skyward Sword slashing
Zelda series producer says "we cannot go back to button controls now"; utilization of Wii U's touch screen in question.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword was not the first Zelda title to hit the Wii, but it was the first to be developed from the ground up with motion controls in mind. It likely won't be the last, as series producer Eiji Aonuma was so pleased with the results that he never wants to go back to traditional controls.
Speaking to the UK edition of the Official Nintendo Magazine, Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma said, "I honestly think we cannot go back to button controls now, so I think that these controls will be used in future Zelda titles, too."
This raises questions about the series' eventual debut on the Wii U. Previously, Aonuma said that the Wii U's tablet would provide players with new ways to interact with the gameworld, although it's unclear how that will work with the Wii Remote (which will also be compatible with the Wii U).
The latest entry in the series, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, marks Link's return to the Wii in his first mainline game since Twilight Princess, which launched alongside Nintendo's current console in 2006. Link's latest adventure sees the Wii's motion-sensing capabilities put to use in a new combat system. 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.
For more on The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, check out GameSpot's review.
386 comments
Motion control for Zelda is a bad idea. One of the comments below said it best that the technology needs to be 100%, you can't have a half-made control system for something like Zelda. I haven't finished SS because the controls were too frustrating.
The only way I can see the motion control working is if the Wiimote and other motion-paraphernalia had wireless firmware updates from the Wii that increased the accuracy of the controls with each update
NO MORE MOTION CONTROLS!!!!!!!!!!!! wasnt a fan of it when it first came out and i am not a fan of it now.i prefer the traditional control scheme.nothing beats using buttons and a d-pad.
If they're going to insist on continuing with the motion controls for Zelda titles then Nintendo needs to do an extensive poll of its fanbase to a) see how many truly want to continue down this path and b) figure out how exactly to improve the combat because it was anything but impressive. While the Motion+ controller picks up movement and orientation to a certain degree it sucks at utilizing that same orientation and depth. For instance, you might be up against an enemy that blocks with two swords held vertically in each hand, leaving you with a vertical slash opening down the middle. However, if the controller isn't in the position to attack from that direction or angle and you happen to move your hand too swiftly while preparing to swing veritcally, it'll take that preparatory movement as an attempted swing and have you ricochet off the enemy's defense leaving you very open. The Wii doesn't recognize that I'm holding the controller further away from the screen as if drawn in towards the body or that it's in a vertical position in my hand and thus not pointed for a thrusting or slashing attack, but it does register the movement. It would take something like the Kinect or Move technology to pick up such important details and my opinion on the matter is if you can't do that kind of motion control gameplay 100% right then don't do it because half-assed controls on games like that can ruin the experience fast.
Also, please please please add some variety to the combat. I felt like for the vast majority of the fights in Skyward Sword I was just shield bashing (close to the point of dependency) and inhumanly fast slashes. Put some empahsis back into Link's agility and evasion along with enemy weakspots. Last and probably least, do something about Link's animation while his sword is out. He looked like a child terrified of the dark with a lit candle in his hand trying to chase away the shadows in Skyward Sword.
1 Like DAMMIT! I think the motion controls ruined Zelda as a game. I played TP on the gamecube cuz i couldn't stand the thought of the motion controls. But i was forced to play SS with the motion controls and it ruined the game for me. I loved the whole game, but the controls took away the smoothness of the gameplay and added unnecessary frustration. i just wanted to play it like a normal freakin game! Like game cube TP. They should give you the option to play it with normal controls. And if you so desire to flick and swing the controller around like a retarded monkey, then you can have that option too.
@Kepora-Gebora Actually, for playing some sort of games, there are control for the Wii that is like an old-control-system, I mean, it´s a tipical control, that you conect to the Wii and you play games with buttons. Anyway, I think that this control is just for some games, as they are old and the Wii controls don´t fit very well, etc, but, I think the same way they created that control for giving players the option to use it with some old games, they should do the same for other games, so people who want to play with the new system can play with it and people who want to use the old controls can use them.
@HeroOfTime1994 Exactly. except that if you viewed it as an ordinary controller, it's missing a right analog stick. But i greatly appreciated in games when they gave you the option to choose, or when they gave you the option to use a classic or gamecube controller. And i also have a little hope too since they created the pro controller. Even though they kind of copied the xbox controller, its the one thing that gives me hope for playing certain games on the wii u, and it makes me wanna give them a pat on the back for doing something right. They haven't completely abandoned core gaming yet, like we feared with the first wii.
@Kepora-Gebora Yes, I think that while we are still players, they´ll keep those old controls, but when new generations that didn´t use the old controls become a more attractive market for them, that would be the end of the old controls. Why keeping an old system if new generations want the new systems? In fact, I think that´s what happening.
ur going to use the wiimote and nunchuck and the tablet on ur forearm as a shield huh wat about that
LOVED the motion controls, but I am sympathetic to special needs gamers (muscular dist. ect) who should have their own option.
People tend to overexert themselves when playing SS. you don't need to swing it so hard! Quick, but soft flicks of the wrist work just as well. Once I had this somewhat obvious realization, its been so much easier.
@stubiusmaximus And that´s why the ``realistic mode´´ of using the sword in Skwyward Sword was not so awesome as they told us... I played the game lying on the sofa... didn´t need to do it like it was real!!
If Nintendo is really going to use this to push Wii U sales later (which is what they should do) then they have to use the gamepad otherwise people aren't going to really see it as a Wii U game even if they decide to use the graphics from the E3 display. Button controls will never get old so they really shouldn't feel obligated to use motion controls just because they used it in a previous title.
@TheWindWaker333 Of course for the new Zelda we´ll have to use the new control, basically because of what do they want to show us with the new control: the option of see maps, inventory, etc. They want to show us that because that´s one of the most innovating things of the Wii U. If they let us using ``old´´ controls for their new games, it would be like ``yeah, so you just went up with the new Wii U because... what? better graphics? only??´´, so, there´s the ``problem´´: it´s completly logical that they use their new control with their new console, of course, but I´m not sure how it´d affect the new Zelda, because even the graphics were awesome, the motion plus would be... unnecesary, I mean, Zelda´s collectors would have bought that control just for using it for a very short period of time, and apart from that, forget about using your sword like you were having a real sword... at the end we´ll just use a big GBA with good graphics connected with the TV.
I don´t feel very confortable with this idea... it took me time to get used to the Wii controls but this new ones... I don´t know...
I wondering this the moment Nintendo said that they will use the Wii U controller for the next Zelda. It seems like a good idea to use the controller to display menu screens, inventory, and health so that the main screen is clear, but at the same time Skyward Sword's controls were innovative and really made serious sword fights in Zelda games a possibility (I still want to fight Darknuts with the motionplus controls). What to do? Maybe they will let players choose between the two controls but I think that would compromise the gameplay.
with the gamepad I figure they will have you slashing your finger across the screen for sword fights like that ninja fruit game...
and perhaps pulling back you finger and releasing arrows, or throwing knives or what not.... lots of swiping gonna be going on....
1 Like @shamguy4 it would be a bit ridiculous that kind of ``fighting´´ after the typical button system and the ``total control´´ of he sword, wouldn´t it?
i know but they want to use the gamepad... how are you to use a gamepad and a wii remote for slashing at the same time?
and they said they dont want to go backwards to using buttons right?
@shamguy4 time to time... buttons are a very good system, and very easy... in future aybe they have to use them again...
I think for some game the gamepad is like a ``helpful hand´´ apart from the wii remote, so it´s an extre player, but in other is like a normal remote. Anyway, for the next Zeldas I think it´s going to be like playing with a GBA a bit bigger, whith a screen that you can interact with and that shows you a different view than the TV.
1 Like I´m a big Zelda fan, since I was four and my sister and me bought Ocarina of Time, and I have to say that in my opinion Skyward Sword was great, yes, it´s fun sometimes, easy, nice graphics... but there´s the problem: EASY. In Twilight Princess I had to think a lot in some temples and I was totally lost at some points of the game, but in Skyward Sword it was SO easy... I mean, the Hero mode was nothing! it took me just a few hours to finish it 100%!
And apart from that... it´s supposed to be the ``first´´ The Legend of Zelda... come on, it didn´t explain anything... just how the Master sword was created, okay, the origin of Ganondorf, and a few more things, but i could explain the origin of the Gorons, for example, or the origins of de Dekus, or how the sacred flames for obtaining the Master sword were there, or whatever. Come on, what was that?! the explanation of that is just like ``Yeah.... magic. The End´´. I think its story could have been better, and in the name of quiet a lot of Zelda´s fans, we would like to have more explanations of the things happening in the Zelda universe, and Skyward Sword was a perfect game for that... it´s a pity.
Another thing is that you had so less objects than in other games... I think that there are just five ``attacking´´ objects (bow, sword... you know), but in Twilight Princess you have a lot, just like in Ocarina of Time, or Majora´s Mask, or Wind Waket, etc...
And, of course: the world was TINY. Okay, big temples, big levels, but look at Twilight Princess, it was AMAZING how big the world was, and how everything was connected... in Skyward Sword you have to use that pidgeon every time you want to go to another world... almost the same as in Wind Waker with the boring scenes of Link changing the direction of the wind, and the way they put the limits of the worlds is... I don´t know, very ``simple´´... just a wall or whatever... In Twilight Princess you could see mountains or forests in a quiet ``realistic´´ way, but here is a bit ``boring´´.
And, talking about the motion control... I think they really sold it very well, I mean, everyone of us was like ``Woaaaaaaah! you can move your sword in every direction and you have to open doors describing a circle with the sword!´´, but then it was like ``okay, I use it in... one temple?´´ and excepting some specific enemies, the use of the ``totally-controlled´´ sword was a bit... unnecesary. I prefer a button control system, but I admit that the Twilight Princess for Wii, was very good, and the controls were fine, I mean, you can move the sword but at the same time you could use more or less the buttons... that was right... I think that at the end you can get bored of using always the same movements for the same items and the idea of ``it´s the way to interact with the game´´ it´s completly false: you almost don´t have t move your hand a few centimeters to make any movement that is required in Skyward Sword.
So, in conclusion, I think Skyward Sword was a ``normal-good´´ game with a big potencial, but for the next game they should keep a bit more in the same line that in previous games and try to explain more things so we´d be anxious to know what new knowledge it´s going to be told in the next game and that will explain so many things of other games.
@HeroOfTime1994 you played zelda when you were 4?
did you beat it?
4? WTF? Im 24 and i get stuck in the game and you beat it when you were 4!!! screw me... lol
I played it with my sister, who was 8 by that time, and because it was her game, by that age I only played the easiest temples as the Deku Tree, Dondongo´s Cave and Lord Jabu-jabu´s Belly (apart from that we are Spanish, so we needed a lot of help translating it with the help of a small book that was given with the translations in Spanish) and she played the ``most´´ difficult ones. But... I think I was 8 or 9 when I passed it all by myself 100% so, if you´re 24 and you couldn´t pass it yet... you should spend more hours wih it practicing jajajajaja
@shamguy4 aja... well, I´m part of the computer game´s generation... I think it wasn´t so difficult.... I´ve passed it several times and the most ``difficult´´ part is the water temple for me, but there wasn´t a lot of trouble...
no... im 24 now. I was joking... but i played it when I was in high school so i was a teen. I just cant imagine my 4 year old nephew playing it and understanding it at all
1 Like I sceptical about the utilization of the wii u gamepad in games until i got one for myself, works incredibly and was completely blown away by the interactivity it provides in games, finally nintendo gimmick that can enhance gameplay.
No thanks, Nintendo. There's nothing being done by Nintendo that couldn't be handled with a standard controller. The Zelda games are fundamentally the same, but now I have to look like a spastic while playing them.
For the record, will someone define hardcore gamer? Is that like, people who just love playing all types of games, professional gamers, certain games? Idk. And I think motion controls would be fun if done right, especially sword fights.
Video Games are unfair for blind people too.
1 Like I'm thinking about buying the wiiu at the moment, exclusevely for playing Nintendo classicis like Mario, Zelda, Metroid, etc...For me, Zelda is the most fun and important Nintendo game.
I think the new gamepad offers great possibilities...but swinging a sword with it is certainly not one of them.
I don't like motion controls in general, not because of motion control itself, but because of the implementation they usually have. For example, I think that Metroid plaid really well with motion control, while Zelda didn't.
Anyway, lets just wait and hope for the best here.
3 Like Been a Zelda fan since the day I was able to play gameboy. I stopped at Twilight princess because I hate motion controls. It's not just the wii, I dont even use my kinect.
@legolas506 Motion control is just not good enough yet.It seems detestable because devs cant implement it well (It goes beyond swinging swords and aiming guns there are so many possibilities!!). When they improve, you will find it difficult to hate them. It will be just like stopping zelda at a link to the past because you hate analog sticks.
1 Like "The linear progression of the game was great and really supported the inclusion of story with the game. We can never go back to exploration and a sense of adventure." After the 2 DS games and Skyward Sword, that's what I imagine them saying.
1 Like I agree with you somewhat about the linearity...though Zelda has never been a sandbox, you could always go off the beaten path...more so than with Skyward Sword - though the opportunity did present itself..in a training wheel fashion. (set Fi to heart pieces or whatever and 'ping' away.)
There were still secrets..just not as many...any you could 'ping' them or mark them at will...or place a marker to remember an odd location.
Skyward Sword was very fun but as a whole...just very, very easy. Even the combat. It mimiced the sports resort crap where most every enemy came at you one at a time.
I want mobs! I want a difficulty meter! And yes I want motion crontrols...throw in some classic controller gimped support for the "unable to adapt core" aka hardcore, or the handicapped or whatever.
1 Like Sales determine if they stick with a system, not what the producer wants. Besides, from what I have learned at a much later date, he didn't want the controllers to begin with and Skyward Sword had horrible sales, fell off the charts pretty quickly. So, I figure that they will either drop it altogether or have a choice, since the stupid nature of the controllers is what made me never want to play it. And by the way, I have a Wii, so I was merely a skeptic, but I like the motion controller, even if it's not for every game. (^_^) Some games need traditional controllers, others can't work with traditional controls.
To appease the hardcore gaming crowd Nintendo should make motion controls optional for all games on their new console. Eiji Aonuma please read these comments and see what the fans are saying.
1 Like Stupid!!! STUDID!!! STUPID!!!!! Oh we cant go back now. Well then maybe we cant buy anymore zelda games. I hope Nintendos next console is next gen and has absolutely no wii mote type crap. I want to sit down and relax when I play games, not wave my arms around like an idiot furthermore the controls for Skyward sword where finnicky and horrible. Im going to go leave a zero or 1 star reviewfor Skyward Sword. You would think the game designers could take a hint from the low score skyward sword recieved
@Glockfanusa LOW SCORES!!!! I wont comment about that. By the way, People say you only need to move from your wrists up (not your arms) to play skyward sword well. Putting that into consideration, You can be fairly relaxed when playing the game. Besides if they add no new innovation to the controlling, we would remain in the same spot. It would be like refusing to add analog sticks on the n64 because they seem crappy. Harden not thine heart to motion control O Glockfanusa. IT WILL IMPROVE!! I truly believe so :)
@Glockfanusa Are you talking about all the perfect and high 90s scores? Or the score[s] in the 70s from people who couldn't figure out how to play the game?
2 Like Complaining about Skyward Sword having Motion Controls is like complaining about a sports car having a manual transmission or paddle shifters. if you want an automatic, don't buy a car w/ a clutch. If you want a Zelda game which uses dual analog controls, buy Twilight Princess for the Gamecube.
3 Like I was actually considering getting the WiiU until I read this article. I skipped Skyward Sword because I wasn't going to invest in a Wii motion + just for one game. I haven't powered on my Wii in almost 2 years, tried the Kinect for 5 minutes until I was ready to scream from the futility of it all, and I am ready for these stupid Kinects Wiis and every other stupid gimmick they pawn of as innovation to go away and die.
They need to get back to the glory days of Nintendo and make HARDCORE gaming consoles like the SNES and N64. Sure both console had silly peripherals and other gimmicks, but they were designed to appeal to hardcore gamers. If more motion controls and stupid crap like Miiverse are a sign of whats to come for the WiiU I guess I will pass, buy a high end PC, and wait for these games to run on an emulator with regular controls patched into them.
@cynicalundead The motion control is not the problem. it is just the games dont implement it well. you said you wont invest in motion + for one game. That means you acknowledge that the game is good just not worth it.What is hardcore gaming? Inability to adapt to new technology? By no means! If they decide to keep using the classic "hardcore" controller them what will be new in new consoles? better graphics? come on! If people like you discourage nintendo by calling what they make gimmickry we would keep using the same old peripherals until the gaming industry loses appeal and crashes again!
5 Like Motion Controls are unfair to handicapped gamers. My brother in-law has muscular dystrophy... and is unable to do all this wild swinging around. Kinect is even more of a burden to him. He is the definition of hardcore gamer since he can't really do anything else.. he games all day everyday. It's just not fair. Want the motion controls.. fine! but, at least give the option to use a standard controller.....
Tradition alanalogs are unfair to the arthritic. My hands are a mess due too football and fighting. I'd be challenged and pained to play a first person shooter if not for the wii mote.
8 Like In my opinion motion control gaming is a mistake. It's fun for some games like arcade games such as Fruit Ninja or WII sports. But for games like LoZ and what not I like to come home and sit down and relax as I play instead of waving my arms like an idiot. But that is my opinion
while i would agree that motion control might not be suitable to every game, it is a great feature for casual gamers and a good addition to gaming experience.
I still remember the first time my family get so excited about video games just because i bought a Wii =)
Conversation powered by Livefyre
Content you might like…
-
E3 2011: Miyamoto speaks his mind
The creator of Mario dishes on the decision to move Pikmin to the Wii U, similarities between the new controller and the iPad, 3DS development struggles, and more.
- Jun 17, 2011
Users who looked at this article also looked at these content items.
Hot Stories
Newsmakers
-
Preowned games on Xbox One decided by publisher
Microsoft confirms that it won't charge any fees for any titles eligible for resale. Full Story
- Posted Jun 7, 2013 12:00 am GMT
-
Microsoft confirms required 24-hour check-in for Xbox One
Playing Xbox One games on somebody else's console will also require a check-in every hour. Full Story
- Posted Jun 6, 2013 11:41 pm GMT
Featured Stories
-
PlayStation 4 will cost $399
Sony confirms a $399/€399/£349 price for the PlayStation 4 hardware, $100 cheaper than Microsoft's Xbox One. Full Story
- Posted Jun 11, 2013 7:19 am GMT
-
New Halo coming to Xbox One; runs at 60fps
Will be coming in 2014. Full Story
- Posted Jun 10, 2013 7:11 pm GMT
-
Del Toro calls BioShock Infinite a 'mindf*ck'
Pan's Labyrinth director praises Ken Levine and Irrational Games for latest BioShock, says he would consider large-scale Pacific Rim game "God willing." Full Story
- Posted Jun 13, 2013 4:53 pm GMT
-
Microsoft: Xbox One will be leading product people love and embrace
Xbox boss Don Mattrick believes concerns over connectivity are overblown, recommends Xbox 360 for those without an Internet connection. Full Story
- Posted Jun 12, 2013 1:52 am GMT
-
New Mirror's Edge is open-world
EA Labels boss Frank Gibeau describes new project as "open-world action adventure game." Full Story
- Posted Jun 12, 2013 6:45 pm GMT
Submit News
Related Game
Related Games
Recent News
-
Sony on why it won't hinder PS4 used games--flexibility creates value
PlayStation boss Jack Tretton says ability to freely resell games creates value in the initial purchase; PS4 won't require online check-in because many...
