A Newly Discovered Glitch in Skyward Sword HD Can Softlock Game Progression
Posted on August 02 2021 by Charles Xavier
Weeks after the release of Skyward Sword HD, some players are reporting a new glitch exclusive to this port. First showcased by Reddit user Sawyerqs, the glitch occurs inside Lanayru Mining Facility; in the room with the Dungeon Map, there is a sliding block that can get stuck and become unmovable. At first glance, this may seem trivial because the Dungeon Map is a purely optional item, but that’s not why this room is important. There is a door here that must be opened to gain access to the entire left half of the dungeon’s biggest central room, which is otherwise blocked by a gate that can only be opened via a switch on the other side.
Some players haven’t had any issues in this room, which brings up whether it’s something dependent on certain copies of the game, or if there is potential for it to happen to anybody. It also seems like the area where the block gets stuck is right over where a sand pile was previously, so perhaps the game’s sand physics are in some way a cause for the problem?
Luckily, there does seem to be a fix. According to players that have experienced the glitch, resetting the game can resolve the issue. So, if you encounter the glitch, hopefully there will be a save file available that won’t cause you to lose much progress. If you’re heading into the dungeon, just remember to be cautious and save as much as possible while inside. If you have the Skyward Sword Zelda and Loftwing amiibo, this room would be a perfect spot to warp out of the dungeon to save the game at Skyloft before attempting to slide the block.
I feel like a new glitch in a port of a game should be rare; and it has me wondering if something similar can be triggered in the original game, or if this is exclusive to the HD version. This Skyward Sword HD glitch is unrelated to the game-breaking glitch some players experienced in the original Wii version of Skyward Sword, where completing some main quest objectives in a certain order would make further progression impossible.
Have you experienced this glitch for yourself, or is it currently plaguing you? Tell us in the comments below!
Source: Sawyergs (via Nintendo Everything)
Charles is a Senior Editor at Zelda Dungeon. He is a Visual Development artist focused on enviroments and pitch paintings. Check out his Instagram and Twitter to see his latest artworks, a lot of which is Zelda fan art! His favorite candy is Skittles – he feels the world should know this.
