The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Critic Reviews

While even an excellent remaster such as this can’t make Skyward Sword a perfect Zelda game, this is such a drastically improved version of one of the most overlooked entries in the series, that Switch owners simply mustn’t overlook a second time around.

An excellent HD remaster of the classic Wii game that features significant quality of life improvements, responsive motion controls and the addition of conventional, button controls.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD improves on the original in every conceivable way. The visual and performance upgrades make it feel like a new game, and the motion controls feel much more responsive, thanks to the Switch’s Joy-Cons. But the new button controls are the biggest improvement; instead of fighting against the motion controls, players can now savor the satisfying combat and genius level design. What was once the outcast of the 3D Zelda games now stands tall as one of the best in the series.

Skyward Sword HD has made a fool of me, and really, I am just so happy I gave it another chance. This is the best version of a truly landmark game.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD gives a misunderstood title in Nintendo’s celebrated franchise a well-earned second shot. If motion controls and lack of polish turned you off this game the first go around, now’s your chance to give this adventure a try. Like all great remakes, it’s got some serious QoL upgrades and not an insignificant amount of graphic upgrades as well.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a slice of gaming history, so being able to revisit it ten years later is an enjoyable experience for everyone. Whether you are familiar with the franchise, or this is your first experience - it will definitely make for a pleasant one.

The original game was built on motion sensing controls, and finally we are able to enjoy this magic adventure with more conventional control, and higher resolution. Skyward Sword may not be the best Zelda, but it is still a great game, ten years after its original release.

Skyward Sword HD is a brilliantly designed game, full of dungeons packed with clever puzzles, numerous plot elements that serve to enrich the franchise’s lore, and a control scheme that is as refreshing now as it was in 2010. This is a must-have for Switch owners on a very long list of must-have games—don’t let that stop you from rushing out to try Skyward Sword HD today.

The Zelda series has moved through a number of different narrative genres and thematic cores over the years. Some are dark or abstract. Others aim to be more high fantasy or whimsical. Some are grand adventures while others are more focused. Skyward Sword has always sat a little apart from the others, because while all other Zelda games give the impression that you're experiencing current events through your Link-avatar, Skyward Sword instead leaves the impression that you're witnessing the retelling of a great legend of antiquity. As such there's a primeval quality to it that informs its beautiful aesthetic and gives it a wonderful and different sense of adventure. I might have issues with the motion controls (let alone the sub-standard effort that Nintendo made to implement button controls), but nothing can detract from the core quality of this wonderful adventure.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD introduces a raft of technical improvements and quality of life updates that reinvigorate and revitalise this ten-year-old game. With motion controls more precise than ever before, an alternate button control scheme that totally works, crisp HD graphics, smooth 60fps gameplay and a bothersome sidekick who's been streamlined into something altogether more useful, this really does feel like Skyward Sword as it was meant to be experienced. Yes, the locking off of instant travel behind the official amiibo is a misstep, but beyond this one issue what's here is a sublime experience, a technical triumph and an absolute must-play for Switch owners and Zelda fans.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is a fantastic remake, with Nintendo elevating the visuals and adding many quality-of-life improvements. The introduction of physical controls is the best addition, providing a secondary option for those who despise motion controls. With some of the best dungeons in the series, and a unique take on combat, Skyward Sword HD is a must-play for Zelda fans and Switch owners.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD manages to smooth over practically every rough edge of the original release and offer a vastly better experience from start to finish. I truly expect this remaster will bring the game's reputation from the maligned place in history where it currently sits up towards the upper echelon of the series where it belongs. Much like how the small town of Skyloft sits in the clouds above an enormous world below, looking beyond the surface of this remaster reveals a revitalised adventure with so much more to enjoy than you expect. Even if you didn't like it ten years ago, I implore you to give it another chance. It just might surprise you.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is an excellent remake of the mistreated chapter that appeared on Nintendo Wii ten years ago. The new key-based control system could delight many even if it does not have the precision necessary to withstand the most intense battles but the story of the young Link and Princess Zelda is worth checking out by anyone.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is the second chance that the poignant origin story of the Zelda franchise has always deserved.

If you did not play the original version on Wii we would say that the purchase is practically mandatory. The story of the game and its development of levels are at the highest possible standard and will delight players during the 25-30 hours that the main campaign lasts.

Skyward Sword’s concept is more similar to a Metroid game than a Zelda game. Even accepting this direction, it has no exploration, it’s too linear, and it focuses too much on puzzle-solving. Anyway, it’s a long, beautiful adventure, and it has some divine level design.

A great new version for an awesome Zelda entry. Skyward Sword looks great in HD and 60fps, but it lacks extra content.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD stands as the definitive way to experience the origins of the Master Sword. To this day, there’s still nothing else quite like it – from the strategic swordplay to Nintendo’s unrelentingly inventive puzzle design – and while it excels in its playful experimentation, the game represents a stepping stone to where the series would lead in the future as much as it delivers an origin story that allows you to discover the secrets of the past. Ultimately, it is still a memorable quest worth setting out on, and one that is now more resplendent than ever before.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is the definitive way to play this adventure, with quality-of-life improvements and new control options making it a much more accessible experience.

Skyward Sword was and still remains to be one of the greatest Zelda titles of all time. Fans of the original formula might not agree, but innovative, intuitive, and different style of gameplay, always boldly stood their ground in face of the critique that yearns for the familiar experience. HD remaster is undoubtedly well earned, and while it hits many points on improving the sluggish aspects of the original, the very core remains intact. Yet even after it all, the biggest regret might be a missed opportunity to improve on the graphics that needed more than a resolution boost. But either way, it is an experience that is very easy to recommend, yet even easier to fall in love with. You may even find it to be just perfect - just for you.