Game facts
24 Pieces of Heart
Hidden throughout the game.
80 Gratitude Crystals
Earn them by helping people.
16 Treasure types
Types of materials to collect.
About the game
Skyward Sword HD revisits the origins of the Master Sword on Nintendo Switch. First released for Wii in 2011, the adventure follows Link from the skies to the world below as he searches for his childhood friend Zelda.
Link travels between Skyloft and three regions on the surface, flying through the sky on his Loftwing. Sword fights depend on the direction of your attacks, while dungeons combine environmental puzzles with equipment that changes how you explore.
With motion controls, use the right Joy-Con to direct Link’s sword and the left to raise his shield. Items such as the bow and bombs also use motion input. Watch an enemy’s guard before choosing the angle of your strike.
Button-Only Controls make the adventure playable in handheld mode, on Switch Lite and with a Pro Controller. The right stick directs the sword; hold L while moving that stick to look around with the camera.
The HD version adds conveniences such as autosaving and faster dialogue. Its route remains the same adventure as the Wii game, with the control instructions adjusted to the option you choose.
Our review
Our review covers the controls, camera and other changes, alongside the dungeons and the adventure’s slower stretches. Read our Skyward Sword HD review (German)