Zelda: Skyward Sword

HD Controls Guide: How to Use Button and Motion Controls

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Zelda Skyward Sword HD - HD Controls Guide: How to Use Button and Motion Controls

This is a guide to Link's basic controls in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD for the Nintendo Switch. Read to learn how to control Link and see how to use motion controls with the joy-cons, as well as button-only controls exclusive to the HD version!

Related Control Guides
Link Controls Loftwing Controls Camera Controls

Skyward Sword HD Basic Controls

Shared Controls (Motion and Button Controls)

Zelda Skyward Sword - Button-Only Controls

Button Function
Left thumbstickL Stick Move
Press it while dashing to do a forward roll
Block when a shield is equipped with a press
A Button A Button Action
While Z-targeting: Jump
While Underwater: Swim
B Button B Button Dash while moving
Store items
X Button X Button Harp
Y Button Y Button Reset Gyro (Motion controls)
Recenter camera (Button-only controls)
Plus Button+ Button Open Inventory
Minus Button- Button Open Map
R Button R Button Short press: Equip item
Press and hold: Open Pouches menu
ZR Button ZR Button Short press: Equip item
Press and hold: Open Items menu
ZL Button ZL Button Target the enemy
Up D-PadTop D-Pad Toggle First-Person View
Activate Dowsing
Down D-PadBottom D-Pad Talk to Fi
While freefalling: Whistle for Loftwing
Right D-PadRight D-Pad Open Help

Motion Controls

Zelda Skyward Sword - Motion Controls

Joy-Con Swing Function
Swing Vertically Vertical Slash (up and down)
Shake to the side Horizontal Slash (left and right)
Swing Diagonally Diagonal Slash
Swing Backwards Thrust
Swing Backwards Charge Skyward Strike
Left and right Joy-Con: Swing Sidewards Spin Attack
Left and right Joy-Con: Swing Vertically Vertical Rotation Slash
Swinging the Joy-Con to the left Dash
With shield: Forward spin
Flick the Left Joy-Con downwards while dashing Roll
Point the Right Joy-Con upwards
Swing the Right Joy-Con down
Aim
Throw
Joystick Operation Function
R stick Move camera

In the case of Joy-Cons Swing Controls, you need to swing the right Joy-Con in the direction you want your sword to be swung.

The Switch Joy-Cons have an intuitive function that moves in the same direction as you move, same as the Wii Remote.

Button Only Controls

R Stick Direction Function
Flick Vertically (Release immediately) Vertical Slash
Flick to the Right (Release immediately) Slash to the right
Flick to the left (Release immediately) Slash to the left
Flick Diagonally (Release immediately) Slash diagonally
Push Thrust
Move Left and Right Spin Attack
Move Up and Down Vertical Spin Attack
Point upwards
Press ZR
Aim
Throw
L Stick Direction Function
Push Fight with a shield
Push while dashing Roll
Button Operation Function
L Stick + R Stick Move Camera

In line with the HD remaster of Skyward Sword, the sword can now be swung by using the Right Joystick in addition to swinging the controller. This makes it possible to play games on the Switch Lite and Pro controller.

Skyward Sword HD Item Controls

Slingshot

Skyward Sword SlingshotSlingshot
Joy-Con Move Joy-Con to aim
+
Fire with the ZR button
Joystick Controls Move R stick to aim
+
Shoot with the ZR button

How to Get the Slingshot

Bug Net

Skyward Sword Bug NetSlingshot
Joy-Con Move the right Joy-Con to swing the net
Joystick Controls Move R stick to swing the net

How to Get the Bug Net

Beetle

Skyward Sword BeetleBeetle
Joy-Con Move Joy-Con to aim
+
ZR button to shoot
Control by tilting the controller
Joystick Controls Move R stick to aim
+
Shoot with the ZR button

How to Get the Beetle

Bomb

Skyward Sword BombBomb
Joy-Con Throw: Swing down from top to bottom
Roll: Swing up from bottom to top
Joystick Controls Throw: Tilt the ZR + R stick up
Roll: Tilt the ZR + R stick down

How to Get the Bomb Bag

Gust Bellows

Skyward Sword gust bellowsGust Bellows
Joy-Con Move Joy-Con to aim
+
ZR button
Joystick Controls Move R stick to aim
+
ZR button

How to Get the Gust Bellows

Goddess's Harp

Skyward Sword GoddessGoddess's Harp
Joy-Con Hold the A Button + Swing the right Joy-Con from left to right
Joystick Controls Hold the A Button + Tilt the right thumbstick from left to right

How to Get the Goddess's Harp

Bow and Arrow

Zelda Skyward Sword HD - Whip Icon Bow and Arrow
Joy-Con Move the right Joy-Con to aim
+
L button
+
Pull the left Joy-Con towards you
Joystick Controls Move R stick to aim
+
ZR button

How to Get the Bow and Arrow

Whip

Zelda Skyward Sword HD - Whip Icon Whip
Joy-Con Shake the right Joy-Con
Joystick Controls Flick the right thumbstick

How to Get the Whip

Clawshots

Zelda Skyward Sword HD - Clawshots Icon Clawshots
Joy-Con Move Joy-Con to aim
+
ZR button
Button Controls Move R stick to aim
+
ZR button

How to Get the Clawshots

Can You Play Skyward Sword HD with a Pro Controller?

Pro Controllers and Joy Con Grips compatible as well as handheld mode!

While the trailers only showed the motion controls for Joy-Cons and handheld mode, Skyward Sword HD is compatible with the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and Joy Con Grips as well!

Therefore, the pro-controller is compatible with Skyward Sword HD, and any switch controller is compatible with the button only control scheme!

Related Guides

Zelda Skyward Sword HD - Tips and Tricks Partial

Tips and Tricks

Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Tips and Tricks

Gameplay and Controls
Controls and Best Settings How to Fast Travel
Loftwing Controls and How to Fly How to Roll
How to Swim Underwater How to Dive
How to Do a Fatal Blow How to Move the Camera
How to Do a Backflip -
Guides
All Pieces of Heart Locations All Goddess Cube Locations
Rupee Farming Guide How to Get All Empty Bottles
Hero Mode Guide and How to Unlock 100 Percent Completion Guide
All Secrets and Easter Eggs All Sheikah Stone Locations
How to Find Your Loftwing How to Upgrade Your Wallet
How to Upgrade Your Adventure Pouch Dowsing List and How to Dowse
Where to Find Stools How to Equip and Use a Shield
How to Use Potions How to Get to Beedle's Shop
How to Get Into Zelda's Room Faron Woods Missing Kikwi Locations
Eldin Volcano Key Piece Locations Lanayru Power Node Locations
How to Find the Windmill Propeller How to Draw Goddess Wall Symbols
Ancient Cistern Lock Combo: Secret Order for Door Puzzle Sandship Lock Combo: Secret Order for Door Puzzle
Tadtones Guide: How to Find All Tadtones How to Catch Birds: Bird Farming Guide
How to Sell Items -
FAQs
How to Save How Long is Skyward Sword HD?
How to Fly at Night -

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