The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is set to release on the Nintendo Switch this summer. So far, Skyward Sword is the only new game that has been announced within the Zelda series this year, despite it being the franchise’s 35th anniversary. This alone has caused a certain amount of discontent within the Zelda community. Skyward Sword is often considered one of the lesser Zelda games to date, and it has seldom been called out as one that many want to be remastered for the latest generation of consoles. However, a remaster is what has been announced, which has left many wondering how Skyward Sword HD will compare to the Wii version of the game.
To go along with The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, Nintendo has also announced a special pair of Zelda-themed Joy-Cons and a Zelda and Loftwing amiibo. If the remaster of Skyward Sword had not been enough of a bone of contention with Zelda fans, this amiibo has only gone on to further exacerbate the bitter taste in the mouths of many. The amiibo will allow those who own it to fast travel between the sky and the land below, but many feel this is an improvement that should have been a base feature of the remastered Skyward Sword; not a perk locked behind an additional purchase.
However, despite all of this, The Legend of Zelda is still a beloved series, and long-time fans are keen to hear more about Skyward Sword‘s upcoming release. Since the announcement of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, many gaming outlets have shared screenshots of the remaster. Nintendo Everything, Zelda Dungeon, and Nintendo Insider have all shown off how the game looks with its high-definition overhaul. However, despite it certainly having a crisper look to 2011’s Skyward Sword entry on the Wii, the HD Switch version doesn’t really offer any apparent ground-breaking changes (at least, not yet).
Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Screenshots Highlight Poor Model Designs
Technology has advanced over the ten years since The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword first released on the Nintendo Wii. Unfortunately, this has not exactly worked in Skyward Sword’s favor. As players have come to expect more refinement and detail in their games, sadly some of the Wii’s simpler designs do not hold up as well as they used to.
The Skyward Sword HD screenshots that have been shared so far just do not do The Legend of Zelda character models any favors. Yes, they are in a higher resolution, but otherwise they are pretty much identical to their Wii-era selves. This, unfortunately, only highlights areas of their poor design. One image of Zelda shutting her eyes while playing her harp leaves her looking as though her eyelids have glitched, breaking an otherwise serene picture. Meanwhile, Groose’s teeth look more akin to over polished piano keys.
There are still hopes that Nintendo will release more news about further games for The Legend of Zelda’s 35th anniversary at this years E3. Rumors have already begun circulating the internet that Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask are both set to make their way to the Switch as well this year, which if true would be a real boon to fans. Ocarina of Time specifically is not only widely considered one of the best Zelda games, but also one of the best games of all time. A remaster of this would almost certainly strike a chord with nostalgic players, as well as the newer generations. This is something that, disappointingly, Skyward Sword HD seems yet to be able do, and the screenshots that have been revealed so far have done nothing to change that.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD will release for the Nintendo Switch on July 16, 2021.
Sources: Nintendo Everything, Nintendo Insider, Zelda Dungeon