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The Legend of Zelda Series To Stick With Skyward Sword’s Motion Controls

By Ishaan . December 12, 2011 . 9:00am

Speaking with Official Nintendo Magazine in the U.K., The Legend of Zelda series producer, Eiji Aonuma, says that he feels Zelda can’t go back to button controls after the advances made by The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

“I honestly think we cannot go back to button controls now, so I think that these controls will be used in future Zelda titles, too,” Aonuma told ONM in a recent interview.

In previous statements regarding a Zelda game on Wii U, Aonuma has suggested the idea of the Wii U’s tablet-like controller equipped with a touchscreen making it easier to select and use items. Naturally, this wouldn’t be possible if Aonuma wishes to stick with Skyward Sword’s controls in the future.

It makes one wonder whether a Zelda on Wii U will ultimately have to abandon the tablet controller and be built around the Wii Remote instead (which Wii U is compatible with) or if the team has something else in mind.

http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada
I dont understand, surely the next Zeldar on 3DS will use button controls?

FireCouch
Zeldar: Corruption of the Cyber Dekus
Follow Dinkerz on his quest to retrieve the Zeldar Chip back form the Zappy Zorons and Cyber Dekus and put a stop to the Gandolfo Virus.

Altritter
I love it.
I would play the hell out of that game.

aoihana
I think the article/interview is referring to the future of Zelda(r) games on the Wii/Wii U.
I don’t think the 3DS’ gyroscope sensor will be ideal for extensive motion control, so it will obviously use button controls and or touch screen gestures. (◕‿◕✿)
James Beatty
The next Zelda for the 3DS will be more like TP for the gamecube. It will play like ocarina of time 3D (hopefully)
OverlordZetta
If they’re anything like the DS games, and they probably will be, I’d assume they’d just be point/click games, right?

shion16
Im Playing Zelda SS, but today i tried to play Wind Waker, and i felt so weird when i tried to fight a boss.
Motion controls are so intuitive that i got used to them.

thebanditking
Exact opposite for me, I will always find a regular controller better suited for just about every game type. Honestly this worries me because if SS is what I can expect from every Zelda on a home console (control wise) going forward then I am going to have a difficult time staying interested. Motion controls should always be (imo) optional. For SS I ignore the slight inaccuracy because I was willing to try something new, now that I have tried a full motion Zelda I would prefer them to go back to a more traditional method of control and innovate with the Wii U tablet. Besides you can’t use the tablet screen as a TV if the game is motion controlled, which is one feature I liked about Wii U.

Suicunesol
The thing about optional motion controls is that once it becomes optional, it also becomes unnecessary. And if it’s unnecessary, why bother going through the trouble of putting it in at all?

thebanditking
OK so at that point I agree why bother. I don’t think there is an
overwhelming number of people who honestly prefer motion controls over
traditional controllers. I like SS because it was a new way to play
(much like Phantom Hour Glass) but after trying it I still like
traditional controls better. In all honesty I think plenty of people
would have been just as happy if SS had the same 1:1 motion but did not
integrate it so heavily, meaning the enemies did not require specific
directional slashes and allowed for a button config on a traditional
controller as well. Sure the controller would be less accurate then the Motion+ but so
are controllers compared to mouse and keyboard and I still prefer a
controller.

shion16
Games like Zelda SS or Red Steel 2 cant have motion controllers as an option, part of the experience is to interact with the game , red steel or zelda ss battles with analog stick would be just……….lame

http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada
Really? In my experience motion controls are always clunky and feel forced, and I find myself saying that regular button layout always provides for superior control and simplicity.
I feel motion control is just implemented to give the impression that a game is trying to be more open to non traditional gamers and to emphasize that content creators tried to think outside of the box…but only including motion controls is not good. I hope they consider multiple control layouts in the future.

Suicunesol
Did you feel that the controls in Skyward Sword were clunky and forced (if you played it?)
shion16
I agree, most of the times motion controls are uncomfortable like twilight princess or PS move compatible games but in skyward sword everything is so perfect and well-implemented…..its hard to explain it but its just natural to play like that.

SirRichard
I know the bad experience I had with Skyward Sword was down to my sensor bar being messed up and not reading the MotionPlus right, but I honestly don’t think the series would benefit much from them.
On the other hand, if dowsing goes away and whatever fairy partner we get doesn’t bother me literally once every minute to tell me something I was already aware of (I KNOW MY SHIELD’S AT HALF STRENGTH I HAVE EYES), maybe it’ll actually work out better.
http://twitter.com/DanijoEX DanijoEX
I’m not sure how that is going to work out. But I hope for the best, if that’s the case…
aoihana
In previous statements regarding a Zelda game on Wii U, Aonuma has suggested the idea of the Wii U’s tablet-like controller equipped with a touchscreen making it easier to select and use items. Naturally, this wouldn’t be possible if Aonuma wishes to stick with
Skyward Sword’s controls in the future.
I thought this was an excellent idea and great incorporation of the tablet, but it does seem that at this point, it’s going to be scrapped. I personally haven’t tried Skyward Sword, so I can’t really comment on that, but I hear that it’s motion controls are exceptional!
Though, I think that an optional button configuration would appeal to more people, aside from the already established fan base. I’ve met people that haven’t tried Twilight Princess, or played it on the Gamecube because they didn’t like the idea of constantly swinging the Wii mote at the TV.
Of course, this was during the Wii’s launch, and with the advancements in the Wii’s motion technology, I think opinions have changed drastically. Ultimately, I think that Aonuma should consider a button configuration, too.
But on the other hand, because of the motion plus, the motion controls are a lot more intuitive, or natural. I think that this will appeal to the casual fans or players, and that’s a definite plus. Even though motion controls are what make the Wii, they are now more apparent in games than they were a few years back, so I think people have adjusted since Twilight Princess.
If Nintendo really wants to push motion control and their revolutionary image, this may be for the best, after all. (◕‿◕✿)
thebanditking
This is unfortunate news for me personally, because while I do like what I have played of SS so far I was hoping these controls would be a one shot. I will always prefer buttons over motion controls except for lightgun games. Its not just accuracy but comfort as well, I am simply more comfortable relaxing with a controller and playing then needing to wave my arms around in a specific way. I don’t play games for exercise, I play them to relax.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=749504598 Shane Guidaboni
Since when is doing very little motion with your wrist exercise? Are you getting winded from playing SS?

http://twitter.com/sheleigha Shel
Perhaps if a person works in an office typing on a computer all day, then yes a controller would be more relaxing than flinging your wrist around. Carpal tunnel isn’t fun.

Ryos
Speaking as someone with advanced stages of pre-carpal tunnel, the control scheme is pretty much the only thing I DON’T like in the game. Motion control may be gee whiz neat but the Wii movement scheme is an accident waiting to happen (hence the rise of wiiitis). It wouldn’t be so bad if there were alternate control schemes for physically challenged, but if we have to go this way, it’s going to be a significant handicap.

http://twitter.com/sheleigha Shel
^ Exactly my point on it. It’s not about “doing exercise”, but with issues like carpal tunnel that don’t make it easy. Controllers are easier on the hand than flinging a wrist. It sure would be nice if they made it either-or for motion or controller, but like that would happen… Nice that lots of third party rpgs on Wii do allow the option.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=749504598 Shane Guidaboni
Holding a controller for extended periods still places strain on the wrists. If anyone is worried about carpal tunnel then they should be stretching their wrists if they’re going to be playing for long periods of time. I’m not going to deny it; my wrists feel a little tight after playing, but I stretch them out after and it’s fine.

thebanditking
Exactly, I work in IT and spend my entire day at a PC, or Server sitting and typing so when I play games I like to have as little stress on my wrists as possible. This to me is why motion controls are not the future because there are those like my self that just don’t want to use them. It will be interesting to see where gaming goes in the next 15 years because I have been playing (and loving it) for 23 years now but depending on what Sony, Nintendo and MS do next time around I may loose interest and I think others will too. If anything I find myself playing more handheld games as its where the games and gameplay I am use to are being made.

thebanditking
Very little motion? I have not found this game to be so accurate that I barely need to move, to properly register I always need to move at least my entire forearm. Also since I run about 2 miles a day I hardly get winded playing a game. Rather its just that I like to relax while playing a game and when you have to worry about things like “is the motion controller too close to a light” or am I too far away from the TV and do I have enough room around me, I get a little put off about playing (same goes for my move titles).
thebanditking
Very little motion? I have not found this game to be so accurate that I barely need to move, to properly register I always need to move at least my entire forearm. Also since I run about 2 miles a day I hardly get winded playing a game. Rather its just that I like to relax while playing a game and when you have to worry about things like “is the motion controller too close to a light” or am I too far away from the TV and do I have enough room around me, I get a little put off about playing (same goes for my move titles).

http://twitter.com/ifarah12 Gren
I freaking LOVED the controls in Skyward Sword, way better than mash B. A big open Zelda game with Skyward Sword controls on Wii U would be my dream game. Though they should add optional button controls (I wouldn’t use them though).
sandra10
:( Motion controls is the reason why I’m not buying Skyward Sword even though it looks great. If they keep Phantom Hourglass’s control scheme for the next Zelda 3DS game, I’ll be passing on that too. Sad, too, because LoZ was one of the first franchises I played.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=749504598 Shane Guidaboni
That’s a shame, because the motion controls in Skyward Sword are fantastic. They add a lot more strategy to combat.
Suicunesol
Did you try it? How did you feel about the motion controls in SS?

sandra10
I didn’t try SS specifically but I played many other Wii games. Motion controls just aren’t for me.

thaKingRocka
This really is lousy. I haven’t played a Zelda game since Twilight Princess on GC because we haven’t gotten one with controls I liked. I tried the DS games and hated the controls. I started and abandoned each DS game at least twice. I will play Skyward Sword, but that bird control is atrocious and I find the sword swipes to be either too demanding or inaccurate.
So my basic reaction to this news is … “Crap.”
James Beatty
Motion controls should be the reason you BUY Skyward Sword. But if you buy it, don’t play it like Twilight princess, it feels nothing like TP.

Shinji Kazuya
I approve! The motion controls in Skyward Sword are great!
Not only is the game more fun to play but it can also add more depth to the combat!
I especially love the Bow controls!
Of course the tablet like controller would be a new interesting way to play.
Christopher Cates
Yes this is good news. I was worried when thinking of the Wii U that this would be the only game to use them. Actually figuring out battle strategies with each new enemy on how you swing your sword is something no game offers. So awesome.
http://myanimelist.net/profile/Kuronoa Kuronoa
Aww I was hoping they take advantage of the contrablet, it is one of the reasons I like the Wii U after all. I am glad they are thinking of different control types to keep the console fresh I guess.
Fonic
I guess this was to be expected since the general response to the new controls seems to be relatively positive.
I haven’t finished SS or anything, but from what I have played I don’t think it’s going to be a favorite of mine.
It almost has more to do with the implementation of the motion controls than the controls themselves though. A lot of the “activities” just feel kind of like a chore, at least once the initial uniqueness wears off.
For me a big part of Zelda, and games like, it is the escapism aspect. I feel like the motion controls of SS or the touch controls of the DS games take away from that somewhat.
Then again, maybe the next game will improve further on them and change my mind.
http://www.pixiv.net/member.php?id=2704923 Buntar0
I like the input system, but would like the see it in a game (a new series) that focuses more on combat. Reiginleiv looked like a solid start.

http://gloopyeegra.wordpress.com/ Arla
Reginleiv works NOTHING like SS. You just mashed a button and at a certain point would you slash. That entire game was a mess….but whatever that’s a whole other topic.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Roberto-Armando-Iraheta/775564143 Roberto Armando Iraheta
I can get behind this. The whole point is that Link is our avatar, right? Sounds good to me.
http://twitter.com/GameGodZER0 Ben Sylvia
I just hope they make the nunchuk/shield control less sensitive.
Can’t move my left hand for nothing without Link doing a shield bash.
http://twitter.com/sheleigha Shel
It feels like yesterday wireless interference had fans worried about the controls during E3, thinking Miyamoto was just making excuses :/ Of course people are quick to judge, and I heard stuff like “during E3 it didn’t work, I’m not sure about this game…” My people are quick to judge! ….despite after people trying out the actual game at the booth and saying it was fine.
Christopher Cates
What I really want is Nintendo to make an entire non-Zelda related game that is based on the “Time Travel” mechanics of SS. Such a cool idea having a little bubble you go around be the past and the modern day around it.
Daniel13789
Skyward sword is a blast to play, so I don’t mind this at all.
karasuKumo
Add a handle attachment on the back of the tablet and use it as a proper shield LOL. Seriously though I can also see no proper use for the tablet in a Zelda game. Wii controller in one hand and the nunchuck in the other, how the hell do you hold the tablet?

http://myanimelist.net/profile/Kuronoa Kuronoa
Looks like handheld stance to me.
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/06/img1142.jpg
Impressions say it is comfy enough. Proper use for Zelda, there was a tech demo.

pockystix
not that I dislike them, but simply reusing the wii motes would get old guys.
especially when the WiiU is at the end of it’s life-cycle, and you’re still forcing me to play Zedla games with those battery eaters lol

James Beatty
Maybe nintendo should produce some re-chargable wii motes. Anyways, i loved the controls and i couldn’t go back to the old button-style game play. I’m getting pretty bored with regular buttons on other games after playing Zelda.

http://www.facebook.com/shawn.dickenson1 Shawn SomethingOtaku Dickenson
oh god no I love zelda but button controls is what made it great the wii-mote is not a good controller

Solomon_Kano
It may have been a factor in your enjoyment of each game, but I’d hope that’s not the sole reason why the games are great to you. Otherwise you’re missing out on Skyward Sword’s supposed* epicness.
*I say supposed because I’ve yet to play it.

https://twitter.com/#!/SplashdownTiger STiger
Improve the motion controls so I don’t have to recalibrate all the time. That’s probably my one issue with Skyward Sword’s controls.

James Beatty
By re-calibrate you mean putting the control on a flat surface for a few seconds? You don’t need to do that. It shouldn’t happen like that unless you have a lot of sunlight in your room or a lot of interference from tech.

https://twitter.com/#!/SplashdownTiger STiger
I meant centering the pointer. I have to do that constantly.

James Beatty
You need to be facing toward the TV and the sensor bar needs to work well and if there is a lot of sunlight, it will mess it up. I tried playing without the sensor bar and the game didn’t work well.

darkfox1
Why not just add optional button controls? lol yeah I know its not that simple but they should have that in mind.

Barrylocke89
The problem is that if you add one control scheme as an option, one of the two control scheme will feel crappy and not right, and then they’d might as well have just had one scheme instead of one good scheme and one gratuitous one.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=20704987 Heath Bunch
Aww, geez. I hope they go back to traditional controls eventually. Its nice that they experiment once in a while, but I just don’t like motion controlls.
Hraesvelgr
So, Link will now forever be right-handed? Feels bad, man.

Barrylocke89
Especially since I’m lefthanded myself, so it seems double-ly weird to me.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6GEPV2ZENH3C77X4HZXKHRA3EM Derek
Don’t worry, technological advances will slowly reduce the gap between the character’s preferences and your preferences, and things like Link holding his sword in the hand you hold your remote are going to be the norm as motion controlled gaming advances.
I don’t think it’s ridiculous to expect a system to know exactly where the wiimote (or whatever equivalent) is being held in comparison to your body and exactly how you’re swinging it, it’s only the tiniest step up from what they do now.

Monsley
Skywards Sword’s controls are great, but I still prefer traditional controls. I reckon it’s all a matter of taste and I think motion controls are generally more appealing to a lot of people (also because they’re still a relatively new thing, at least at this level of accuracy), so I understand if they want to go with montion controls only, although I don’t really like the idea.
http://www.facebook.com/jstack Jon Stachewicz
Careful, guys, rejecting change this much is how Twilight Princess happened
Solomon_Kano
I’ve heard nothing about good things regarding Skyward Swords controls, so I’m more than fine with this, but I was curious to see how they’d implement the Wii U’s controller.
I mean think about it. A Zelda game was the N64′s magnum opus, the Gamecube’s swan song, the culmination of the Wii’s motion control promise. Each raising the bar above the last, in terms of how it was played. You can’t fault a guy for wondering what new direction they’d have taken it in, can you?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000219473939 Danny Garcia
I play WW after playing SS and the buttons feel weird. I’m glad that the next Zelda game will use motion plus.
ShadowWolf
less motion controls please, its a gimmick and i dislike being forced to use it.
if it has optional button controls, fine, but don’t FORCE me to use it.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6GEPV2ZENH3C77X4HZXKHRA3EM Derek
It’s a gimmick because it’s not advanced enough yet, they have to make it their main priority in order to make it better and let it grow out of its gimmick state. It’ll clearly be standard in the future regardless, there’s no point in complaining.
Also, you guys really need to get over yourselves with the being FORCED TO USE IT OH MY GOD NO DONT FORCE ME AAAAAAAA.
You were forced to use buttons up until now, you were never given any other option, and after you’ll be used to this it’ll be the exact same. It’s just a matter of getting used to, having to twist your arm hardly affects the gaming experience at all.

ShadowWolf
i haven’t played my Nintendo Wii in over a year

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6GEPV2ZENH3C77X4HZXKHRA3EM Derek
It’s a gimmick because it’s not advanced enough yet, they have to make it their main priority in order to make it better and let it grow out of its gimmick state. It’ll clearly be standard in the future regardless, there’s no point in complaining.
Also, you guys really need to get over yourselves with the being FORCED TO USE IT OH MY GOD NO DONT FORCE ME AAAAAAAA.
You were forced to use buttons up until now, you were never given any other option, and after you’ll be used to this it’ll be the exact same. It’s just a matter of getting used to, having to twist your arm hardly affects the gaming experience at all.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6GEPV2ZENH3C77X4HZXKHRA3EM Derek
It’s a gimmick because it’s not advanced enough yet, they have to make it their main priority in order to make it better and let it grow out of its gimmick state. It’ll clearly be standard in the future regardless, there’s no point in complaining.
Also, you guys really need to get over yourselves with the being FORCED TO USE IT OH MY GOD NO DONT FORCE ME AAAAAAAA.
You were forced to use buttons up until now, you were never given any other option, and after you’ll be used to this it’ll be the exact same. It’s just a matter of getting used to, having to twist your arm hardly affects the gaming experience at all.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6GEPV2ZENH3C77X4HZXKHRA3EM Derek
It’s a gimmick because it’s not advanced enough yet, they have to make it their main priority in order to make it better and let it grow out of its gimmick state. It’ll clearly be standard in the future regardless, there’s no point in complaining.
Also, you guys really need to get over yourselves with the being FORCED TO USE IT OH MY GOD NO DONT FORCE ME AAAAAAAA.
You were forced to use buttons up until now, you were never given any other option, and after you’ll be used to this it’ll be the exact same. It’s just a matter of getting used to, having to twist your arm hardly affects the gaming experience at all.

Göran Isacson
I’m okay with more motion controls, since they work for me… but I’ve bee nwatching others who’ve had troubles, so I must say that I’m hesitant if it’s really the best move for the series as a whole.
Also, since we’re talking about what might be in the next Zelda game… since Zelda games are all about exploration and so on, I have had an idea for a bleaker kind of game where Link starts off as a young boy taken in to a wandering mercenary gang, currently working for the king of Hyrule as the land is embroiled in bitter racial civil wars when suddenly Ganondorf invades, and instead of going to different temples to get different magical doodads, you travel around to mend relations between the different tribes to present a united front against Ganondorf. Think Berserk… a LOT lighter than Berserk of course, but it would be a nice way to create variety in the game AND possibly get to the meat of the story a lot quicker. After Skyward Sword’s long intro (and it’s unmotivated fetch quests), a game that would give you a more “organic” reason to travel around the land might make for a nice change of pace.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Leonard-Norwood-Jr/100001685317322 Leonard Norwood Jr.
I’ve no problems with motion controls, although I still lean on traditional buttons. Skyward Sword had impressive motion controls from what I’ve heard and experienced, as long as they work the motion control out really well, it should be okay to make another Zelda game with motion control, although I’m with others to put an optional button scheme as I’m more used to buttons obviously.
Yamaneko22
I like having choice between traditional and motion controls. The idea of forcing everyone to the latter from now on doesn’t sound too tempting Nintendo!
OverlordZetta
Well then I honestly think I’ll probably never play another Zelda – Skyward Sword included.
Thanks for a load of nothing, Gimmicktendo.

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