Skyward Sword Items

Upgrade System

Skyward Sword is going to have an intricate upgrade system in the game where link uses items he gets from killing enemies and rupees to make his items better throughout the game. Most of the the items are up-gradable. To upgrade your item you have to see the tinkerer located in the Bazaar in Skyloft.

Shield

A familiar item, the Shield returns in Skyward Sword. Link has used the Shield in every Zelda main series title since the beginning. The Shield is controlled using the Nunchuck attatchment. Link uses this to defend against attacking enemies slashing with their weapons or shooting projectiles at him, just as we have seen before. Additionally, Link can use his Shield to deflect certain items back at enemies by players moving the Nunchuck in a forward, thrusting motion, an example being reflecting rocks back at Octoroks when they shoot towards him. It can quickly be held in defense following Sword combo. The Shield Link uses in Skyward Sword is very reminiscent of the Hylian Sheild from Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and Twilight Princess, as it follows the same design of the Hylian Shield. Motion control of the Shield is quite limited compared to the Sword, but it plays a vital roll in combat in nonetheless.

Sword

Link has more control over his sword in this adventure than ever before. By way of the Wii Motion Plus, the sword now can swing in whichever direction the player chooses, giving the experience of 1:1 swordplay. Often, this proves to be a very vital point in the game. Offensively, many enemies must be defeated by swinging the sword certain ways. Such is the case for Deku Babas, where Link must slash them in the way their mouth is open (either vertically or horizontally) to defeat them. Another example is the Mechanical Totem Pole, which must be sliced horizontally twice, and then stabbed to defeat. Other enemies will try to cover parts of their body from attack, whereas Link will have to attack the revealed areas to defeat the enemy. The Skulltula is a great example of this, as Link has to hit it so it becomes stunned and stands up on its hind legs, thus revealing a weak point. Others may have defenses up that must be broken with Sword, like the Spear Moglin, in order to defeat it. The player must use a variety of techniques to defeat a variety of enemies.

The sword also plays a key role in getting through doors. Certain doors will have an eye that will follow Link's sword as long as he is standing on a platform. Moving the sword in a circular motion will spin the eye around, causing a dizzying affect and allowing for the eye to be struck. Once destroyed, the doorway will be accessable to go through. A slash-able gear appears on another door version, which Link must quickly slash in two different directions in order to open.

One of the most interesting features of the sword is dowsing mode. To go into dowsing mode Link holds the sword strait forward. When Link goes into dowsing mode the screen changes to first person and you have to pick what you are looking for be it important items, heart pieces, rupees, or even Zelda herself. When Link is facing the direction you need to go to find the item, the sword emits a loud noise. This is going to play a key role in the game especially when it comes to finding Zelda.

The Zelda team has finally brought back the Sword Beam. To charge the sword Link has to point his sword skyward until the light reaches the tip of the sword. You can then swing your in any direction to release the sword beam. This is going to both be used to attack enemies and to send large boxes with the bird symbol on the ground up to the sky where it will be replaced with a chest.

Bow and Arrow

The bow and arrow is used by holding the Wii-mote up and down in front of the screen to aim and holding C on the nunchuck and pulling back then letting go of C to shoot. There is a power meter based on how long you hold back the nunchuck before releasing C. Although it takes a lot more work than the Slingshot you are rewarded with a more powerful weapon. This weapon is good against enemies such as hanging Skulltulas and hanging Deku Babas.

Slingshot

Unlike the Bow in this game, the Slingshot only requires players to point and shoot with the Wii Remote. With this, the Slingshot isn't too different from the one we saw in Twilight Princess. Link will simply take aim at a target and shoot a projectile at it. It appears to be less powerful compared to the Bow, as it is in previous adventures. The Slingshot, however, can take out some weaker enemies, such as Keese, in one hit.

Bombs

These classic items also return in Skyward Sword. Link can equip Bombs just as usual, though in this adventure, he has the ability to throw them overhead a desired distance, as well as rolling them across the ground. Depending on how far the Wii Remote is from the screen, the distance of the Bomb to be thrown is determined. Players will swing the Wii Remote overhead to sling a Bomb that way, and underhanded to roll it across the ground. Certain low-leveled holes in walls hide bombable items or switched behind them, where rolling a Bomb underneath is the only way to access. The Beetle can also carry and drop Bombs to long distance locations, so as long as it doesn't explode before it gets there. The bomb looks to be a lot more accessible than in previous adventures.

Beetle

A new item, only referred to as the "Beetle", gives Link the ability to grab from long distances away. Player will equip the Beetle and release it with a button, thus taking control of the item as it flies through the air. Releasing the Beetle is a lot like aiming the Slingshot, and players choose a direction before releasing. Players will be given a 3rd-person perspective from behind the Beetle as it flies, controlling its path by tilting the Wii Remote. Flying into distant items, the Beetle will pick these up and return them to Link. The Beetle is also able to drop items, such as bombs, in flight. However, running into a wall will knock the Beetle down, resulting in having to re-equip the Beetle and try again. The Beetle is a mostly gold insect like item with a jade abdomen and dark gold claws. Its design is not based off of any past Zelda item.

New

Gust Jar

(replaces "Mystery Item")