Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • GamesRadar+ Replay
  • Mario Day deals
Don't miss these
A screenshot of a man holding red fire in his palm in Elden Ring Tarnished Edition on Nintendo Switch 2
Action RPGs I played Elden Ring Tarnished Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 and rolled through the Lands Between as the new Knight class
Upcoming Switch 2 games banner image showing a figure holding out their hand from Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave, Yoshi from Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Ditto in human form with Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Scyther, Timburr in Pokopia, and Mario from Mario Tennis Fever
Nintendo Switch 2 Upcoming Switch 2 games: New Nintendo Switch 2 games for 2026 and beyond
Screenshot from Ratcheteer DX, showing a GBC-style cave with four pixelated characters finding warmth around a fire.
The Legend of Zelda The Legend of Zelda-esque game mimics the GameBoy to GameBoy Color transition, goes from retro handheld to PC and Switch
Nintendo Switch 2 playing Donkey Kong Bananza with Pro Controller to the left
Gaming Controllers The best Nintendo Switch 2 controller 2026: Compatible gamepads road tested with Ninty's new handheld
Upcoming Switch games for 2026 banner showing Mega Man from the All Star Force Collection, Witches in Witchbrook, a large woman in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, and Fiona in Neverway
Action Games Upcoming Switch games for 2026 and beyond
Four pictures of games from our selection of the best Switch 2 games list, showing Donkey Kong, Cloud from Final Fantasy, Mario and Luigi, and three starter Pokemon.
Games The 20 best Switch 2 games to play in 2026
The best Nintendo Switch Games with the Nintendo Switch console overlaid.
Nintendo The 25 best Nintendo Switch games to play right now
Image of the Hori Princess Rosalina Switch 2 controller on a wooden table.
Gaming Controllers Move over Mario, this Rosalina Switch 2 controller is so stellar that it deserves its own day too
Image of a pile of Legend of Zelda collectibles sitting on a white desk.
Hardware Building the ultimate Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary setup
Nintendo Switch 2 console on a stand against a red background
Games Nintendo doesn't want Switch 2 eShop to "become a giant slop fest," New Blood CEO claims
A screenshot of the upcoming Switch 2 game, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave with a character using a purple energy blast
Games Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave – Everything we know about the strategy game's Switch 2 debut
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
Games The 25 best GameCube games of all time
Animal Crossing: New Horizons screenshot of cat villager Punchy cooking with a pan
Games The best Switch exclusives to make sure you have in your library
A Gigantamax Machamp appears - from Pokemon Sword and Shield's entry in The Story of Pokemon bookazine
Pokemon These five Pokemon Sword and Shield features made huge changes, taking the RPG series from handheld to the big screen
Hand holding Zelda Game and Watch handheld with gameplay featuring Link in white outfit in backdrop.
Retro I have 100 different ways to play The Legend of Zelda, but I'm still using the Game and Watch ahead of the 40th anniversary
  1. Games
  2. Action
  3. The Legend of Zelda
  4. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Zelda: Skyward Sword HD listing suggests better controls, graphics, and quality of life features

News
By Patrick Dane published 21 June 2021

Skyward Sword is trying to right its wrongs

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
(Image credit: Nintendo)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is getting better tutorials and more quality of life additions. 

As of yet, the upcoming Skyward Sword HD for the Nintendo Switch hasn't been greatly outlined, despite its release being around the corner. The game is set to launch on July 16, 2021, however, and a new listing on the Nintendo Store has revealed a little extra information about the game.

In the listing, some small details have been found, providing some insight into what the game might be adding for this new version. As spotted by Reddit (via NintendoLife), there is a reference to reworked tutorials, improved motion controls, and quality of life features. 

You may like
  • The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword screenshot Challenges in emulating Zelda titles demonstrates the series' knack for reinvention
  • Ocarina of Time Forget another Ocarina of Time remake – Nintendo needs to get weird with Zelda's 40th anniversary
  • Some of the village gathers around with Tom Nook and Kapp'n's family in Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch 2 celebrate the Resort Hotel opening - with the GamesRadar+ On the Radar branding frame Six years later, the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 and Update 3.0 have hooked me back into this cozy world thanks to these five fresh features

InseThe new features coming to the game are listed as: - Enhanced performance - Improved motion controls with the Joy-Con controllers - All-new button controls, allowing you to choose your style of play - Various quality-of-life enhancements, including refinements to player tutorials and general guidance throughout the adventurert quote here

Nintendo

This seems to suggest that the game will be a generally easier experience than its Wii counterpart. Skyward Sword is one of the least loved modern Zelda games, but these changes seem to be largely focused on making the game easier to play and experience. 

The HD update also offers "improved motion controls" by way of the Joy-Cons but also "newly-added button controls". There is also a specific note on the tutorials being better and 'guidance' being easier. These were some of the bigger issues often stated about Skyward Sword, so perhaps the game will get a second bite of the apple and be better evaluated with these changes.

As to why Skyward Sword is seeing this kind of treatment now, one fan thinks they have a good idea. Stating that Demise, a main antagonist from the game, could play a bigger part in Breath of the Wild 2. This would allow players to know this story better. 

For those waiting for other, more beloved Zelda titles to be released on the Nintendo Switch, you might be waiting a little longer. There were strong rumors that Twilight Princess and Wind Waker might be coming to Nintendo Switch, but those have seemingly been shot down by a series producer.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

If you've been waiting for a good excuse to treat yourself to a new TV, then be sure to take a look at our roundup of the best Prime Day TV deals.

CATEGORIES
Nintendo Switch Platforms Nintendo
Patrick Dane
Patrick Dane
Social Links Navigation
Freelance writer

Patrick Dane is a freelance writer and former Guides Editor at TechRadar. He is now a freelance games journalist writing for sites and publications such as GamesRadar, Metro, IGN, Eurogamer, PC Gamer, and the International Business Times, among others. He was also once the Managing Editor for Bleeding Cool.

Read more
The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword screenshot
Challenges in emulating Zelda titles demonstrates the series' knack for reinvention
 
 
Ocarina of Time
Forget another Ocarina of Time remake – Nintendo needs to get weird with Zelda's 40th anniversary
 
 
Some of the village gathers around with Tom Nook and Kapp'n's family in Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Nintendo Switch 2 celebrate the Resort Hotel opening - with the GamesRadar+ On the Radar branding frame
Six years later, the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 and Update 3.0 have hooked me back into this cozy world thanks to these five fresh features
 
 
Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild 2
Zelda producer says "hardware evolution" lifts "restrictions" but more importantly, "greatly influences the game design"
 
 
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild artwork of Link looking over his shoulder as he stands on a hilltop overlooking Hyrule
Nintendo wants a Zelda: BotW and TotK support studio to take a "central role" on a "unique title in the series"
 
 
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom screenshot showing Princess Zelda with tied-back blonde hair and emerald green eyes, wielding a sword before her face
As Zelda devs tested contraptions now in Tears of the Kingdom, director realized Breath of the Wild still had potential
 
 
Latest in The Legend of Zelda
Screenshot from Ratcheteer DX, showing a GBC-style cave with four pixelated characters finding warmth around a fire.
The Legend of Zelda-esque game mimics the GameBoy to GameBoy Color transition, goes from retro handheld to PC and Switch
 
 
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild blood moon in a red sky
A total lunar eclipse will cause a real blood moon tonight, exactly 9 years after Zelda: Breath of the Wild's blood moon
 
 
A scene in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD on the Wii U showing Link talking to Midna before the Triforce
Princess Zelda actor "started practicing" Twilight Princess' Hylian language "over coffee" and is now fluent
 
 
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Sorry, ZeLink shippers, Zelda actor still thinks the 40-year-old pairing is better left "ambiguous"
 
 
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda actor would love to see Ocarina of Time remade in Breath of the Wild's engine: "What's not to love?"
 
 
The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword screenshot
Challenges in emulating Zelda titles demonstrates the series' knack for reinvention
 
 
Latest in News
A screenshot of the upcoming PS5 game, Ghost of Yotei.
Ghost of Yotei devs "really enjoy watching people die" to superboss Takezo the Unrivaled, but know you loathe him
 
 
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Gustave in a French-inspired outfit
"If I told you, I'd have to kill you": Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 writer is tight-lipped about the RPG series' future
 
 
Invincible season 4
Invincible creator Robert Kirkman says fans will "finally get what they're asking for" with the introduction of Thragg
 
 
Tim Roth as Beckett reading with his feet on a desk in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man villain Tim Roth starred in The Incredible Hulk to "embarrass" his kids
 
 
Fenris in Dragon Age 2.
Dragon Age 2 lead says "if some people are ambivalent" about the RPG's characters, "I guess I didn't really do my job"
 
 
Jeff the Land Shark as he appears in Marvel Rivals
Marvel Rivals devs are careful with balancing because "you have a vocal minority screaming the loudest"
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. A screenshot of the upcoming PS5 game, Ghost of Yotei.
    1
    Ghost of Yotei devs "really enjoy watching people die" to superboss Takezo the Unrivaled, but know you loathe him
  2. 2
    "If I told you, I'd have to kill you": Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 writer is tight-lipped about the RPG series' future
  3. 3
    My new favorite retro controller for Game Boy games launches today, but Amazon might show you Mexican taco kits
  4. 4
    Invincible creator Robert Kirkman says fans will "finally get what they're asking for" with the introduction of Thragg
  5. 5
    "Some ideas from Donkey Kong Bananza" may inform Nintendo's next big project, producer says

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...