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Entertainment • Video Game

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a 2011 action-adventure video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a 2011 action-adventure video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii. It is a mainline entry in The Legend of Zelda series and is set at the beginning of the series timeline, focusing on the origins of the Master Sword and the early conflict between Link and Zelda’s world and the forces of evil. A high-definition remaster, Skyward Sword HD, was released for Nintendo Switch in 2021.

Gameplay

Skyward Sword is an action-adventure game played from a third-person perspective. It is known for its motion-controlled combat on the Wii, using Wii MotionPlus for more precise sword and item input.

Plot

The story follows Link, a resident of Skyloft, after Zelda is taken to the land below the clouds. The narrative explores the earliest events in the Zelda timeline and the mythic origins of the Master Sword.

Development and release

Nintendo developed and published the original game for the Wii in 2011. A remastered version, Skyward Sword HD, later appeared on Nintendo Switch in 2021.

Place in the series

Skyward Sword is widely presented as the earliest chronological game in The Legend of Zelda timeline. It serves as an origin story for recurring series elements including the Master Sword and the central struggle between heroic and evil forces.

Key facts

  • The game was originally released for the Wii in November 2011.
  • It is a mainline The Legend of Zelda title and a prequel to later series entries.
  • The story centers on Link’s quest to rescue Zelda and confront the forces behind Demise and Ghirahim.
  • It explains the origin of the Master Sword within the series lore.
  • Gameplay makes notable use of Wii MotionPlus for motion-controlled swordplay.
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Canadian context

The game was sold in Canada as part of the worldwide Wii release and later as Skyward Sword HD on Nintendo Switch, making it part of the mainstream Nintendo release history relevant to Canadian players.

Frequently asked questions

What type of game is Skyward Sword?
It is an action-adventure video game in The Legend of Zelda series.
When was Skyward Sword released?
The original Wii version was released in November 2011, and Skyward Sword HD was released for Nintendo Switch in July 2021.
What is Skyward Sword about?
It follows Link as he searches for Zelda and becomes involved in events tied to the origin of the Master Sword and the early Zelda timeline.
Is Skyward Sword a prequel?
Yes. It is set at the beginning of the series chronology and functions as a prequel to later Zelda games.
What platforms is it on?
It was released for Wii, and later remastered for Nintendo Switch as Skyward Sword HD.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Skyward_Sword
    Supports: Original release year, platform, series placement, plot premise, and role as an early timeline entry
  2. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Skyward_Sword
    Supports: Wii MotionPlus use, platform list, release dates, and general gameplay overview
  3. Wikipedia (Polish) — https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Skyward_Sword
    Supports: Remaster release date on Nintendo Switch and summary of the game’s story
  4. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Skyward_Sword
    Supports: Prequel status, Master Sword origin, and early-timeline placement
  5. Wikipedia (Catalan) — https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyward_Sword
    Supports: Series installment number and Wii release timing