E3 2010: Wireless Interference affects Zelda Skyward Sword

It was kind of embarrassing but there was some wireless interference during the gameplay for The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword.

Miyamoto reinforces that Link is no longer Left Handed.

Zelda: Skyward Sword Gameplay Demonstration 

Pressing the A button you can run around on the field. There is a small circular dash timer that depletes the longer you run.  You can roll around on the ground by shaking the nunchuk.

If you want to swing your sword, you pretty much swing the Wii Motion plus. But you see, it’s not as simple as that. Depending on which direction you swing the sword, Link swings it the same way. For example, Miyamoto demonstrated an attack against a Deku Baba, a plant enemy who’s mouth is either vertical or horizontal. If the mouth is horizontal you must swing the Wii Remote horizontally, if the mouth is vertical, you swing the Wii Remote vertically. The swinging isn’t as precise as how the Playstation Move was demonstrated, it seemed slightly delayed.

You can also charge your sword by holding your Wii Remote up in the air for a while.  Then by swinging it down you release sword beams.  If you swing both your nunchuk and your Wii Remote at the same direction, you can unleash a spin attack.

To hold the shield, you raise your nunchuk. The shield can be used to deflect oncoming attacks by thrusting the nunchuck forward.  The B button opens the the item menu, and you point the Wii Remote to choose which item you want. Unlike previous Zelda games, the healing potion does not freeze time.

Miyamoto showed off other weapons, including the Slingshot, which you can aim using the Wii Remote and press A to shoot. You don’t actually have to point at the screen, the WiiMotion Plus detects  your movement. Bombs can be thrown by raising the Wii Remote and flicking it forward. Additionally you can roll the bombs on the ground by mimicking throwing a bowling ball.

For the Bow you hold down C to ready the bow then simultaneously pull back on the nunchuck to imitate pulling back of a bow and arrow. Releasing the C button shoots the arrow.   The whip was another weapon which you shake Wii Remote forward to unleash. Miyamoto revealed The Beetle which you can control by tilting the Wii Remote in any direction to control’s it’s flight path. The beetle can also pick up items for you.

Technical Difficulties

The Wii Remote failure

However due to some interference, the Bow demonstration went awry. The Wii was unable to detect the direction to aim the arrow. Link was spinning around in first person aiming directly at the sky and was pretty much confused. We noticed though the Wii was able to detect the nunchuck directional movement clearly, however the Wii Remote’s aiming was very erratic. Miyamoto stayed cool, and the audience remained calm. Though we are left to wonder, if this demonstration of the Wii Motion Plus failure affects public opinion on the Wii console as a whole.

Be Sociable, Share!

•