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)

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

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

Slingshot
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

Slingshot
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

Beetle
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

Bomb
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

Gust 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

Goddess'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

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

Whip
Joy-Con	Shake the right Joy-Con
Joystick Controls	Flick the right thumbstick

How to Get the Whip

Clawshots

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

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	-