Miyamoto introduces a bevy of Skyward Sword features

Miyamoto takes sword and shield, reveals a generous amount of new information

Miyamoto once again donned the sword and shield this year to elaborate on Skyward Sword. Setting the pieces of equipment down on a special stand made to position them ala the Zelda logo, Miyamoto-san explained some intimate features of the game while a generously long video played.

Miyamoto iterated on the treatment of Link’s sword in the game, citing an almost 1:1 control scheme. He also commented on how the team of 100 people had being working hard over the course of 5 years. A total playtime of 50-100 hours was mentioned for the entirety of Skyward Sword. Miyamoto was also adamant that there would be no way for the sword-swinging to be mapped to a button; Motion Plus is just too integrated.

As for gameplay, everything is looking absolutely incredible. Returning from Minish Cap, we have what appears to be a Gust Jar, which was shown blowing sand around a desert area. Link also took out a Double Clawshot, hooking from pillar to pillar. Another welcome return is the eccentric shopkeeper Beedle, from Wind Waker. Another return from WW is the musical cues, which seem even more conducive to combat this time around.

Other tidbits highlighted in the gameplay include on-rails minecart sections, a flying minigame with targets, the ability for your sword to seek out items in the ground and a definite influence from Shadow of the Colossus; Link appears to be able to mount giant creatures in order to attack them. Bosses seem gigantic in scale, aping even Twilight Princess.

More Zelda info revolved around Four Swords Adventures, which we now know is being co-developed by Grezzo. A brief trailer showed off some new areas, which were directly taken out of games like the original Legend of Zelda, Link’s Awakening and A Link to the Past. Up to 4 players are dropped straight into these game worlds, it seems. Very nostalgic. The game will be out (at least in Japan) on September 28th, only a few short weeks away.

Readers are reminded that the release dates for Skyward Sword are 18th November (EU), 20th November (NA) and 23rd November (Japan). With any luck, us underappreciated Aussies receive it on the 17th or the 24th. Fingers crossed!