Zelda & Loftwing Is The Only amiibo Compatible With Skyward Sword HD

Oh dear. Really is a bit of a PR nightmare at this point.

I could just... walk/run to where I want to go in this game. BUT NO. I'm gonna spend $25 to save a few seconds

Why do I get the feeling this will be impossible to get hold of? Nintendo are really setting this one up for the scalpers 🙄

Keep crying as it keeps selling lol

Probably will remove this comment like the last ones because telling angry fanboys the truth is apparently not allowed.

I think that's the right call. It's an expensive nightmare to get hold of amiibo, and locking things of even the slightest interest behind amiibo makes the game an incomplete product. I don't buy incomplete products with additional arbitrary paywalls built into them.

Stop spreading misinformation about that Amiibo feature.

Skyward Sword already has fast travel, but that Amiibo enables you to go to Skyloft from anywhere, which is more like a cheat as it makes you circumvent a design aspect of the game.

You don't need that Amiibo to play the game at all and it's not suddenly 10x better with it.

@Rika_Yoshitake People can't complain about products that sell well?

This is definitely one of the most cynical cash grabs Nintendo have done for a while. A Wii port should be selling for $40 maximum.

It's probably for the best. It would have been used to 'Skip Tutorial', or something like that.

In my opinion this game desperately needs a number of additional features to bring it anywhere near up to scratch for modern gaming - putting any quality of life features behind a pay wall is frankly ridiculous.

The biggest mystery is why they'd do this when they know full well it will instantly become sold out everywhere even if they weren't pushing it so hard. This is just annoying customers, giving bad PR, and devaluing previous amiibo (showing that even relevant ones won't be supported going forward kinda hurts one of the appeals of the brand long-term) when they don't need to be doing any of that to sell this.

Def not a fan of this move. Locking a feature that could easily have been a new in-game item behind a paywall, making it the only amiibo that works with the game and making it more expensive than usual seems like the worst combination possible.

Nintendo could have easily made some sort of Gale Item with a recharge time, then made it one of the later rewards in the boss rush mini-game.

The amiibo compatibility is mess...but at least the game isn't affected too much. It's a pointless feature for me.

We're still getting a portable version with more control options...and in HD. That's enough

I have never played SS, and I been thinking to buy this remake.

Is the regular specific point teleporting too tedious?
Is this amiibo feature critical to a better and modern experience?

The feature which the amiibo unlocks is an extra. You don't need it to play the game in any way.

In fact millions of people played the original SS without this feature and they're all completely fine.

The game is not "incomplete" if you don't get the amiibo. Sheesh, people are such drama queens.

Lol. Quite pathetic to make this an issue.

@Rika_Yoshitake,

So true, some will be upset at almost anything Nintendo does these days, the game will sell really well and the majority will not even be aware there is an issue, or that it's even being discussed.

This is horribly anti-consumer and evil. I haven't even finished paying off 3D All-Stars and now I'm forced to buy an outrageously expensive statue so I can enjoy all features of a lazy port selling for full price? And what about the special joy cons that are already impossible to buy? How can Nintendo keep doing this to its customers and still be in business? The Amiibo should be free with the game. A port and an Amiibo should be no more than $25, and that's just the price of the Amiibo.

@CactusMan Amiibo should be like BotW or TP. Personally I'd do something like:

1) Link Amiibo - Changing Link's outfit (imagine a playthrough in his Skyloft Clothes). After unlocking the item you get normal drops.
2) Enemy Amiibo - Enemies dealing double damage, have double health or just move faster. Use it again to toggle it on/off.
3) Zelda Amiibo - Rare Drops once per day and any other Zelda amiibo gives random drops (health, rupees, etc).
4) Any other Amiibo - Random Drops

@JuiceMan_V,

At last a some proper information about the game, so basically all this is just stirring up trouble, when there is none.

Thank you for your comment.

The port costs $60, the only compatible amiibo $25 and they won't allow the rest of your collection to be used.

I'll be proudly skipping this game.

It's just looking worse and worse for this game. And this is one of the less acclaimed Zelda titles, they really needed to do better. I'm still not sure if I'm buying it. Leaning towards skipping it, especially if they haven't worked out a way for Link to be left-handed again.

@Minecraft_Master,

Evil???????????, think you need to get a grip fella.

@Haltlock,

Not really that much bad PR when it's only a small minority complaining on internet forums, and to be honest you will never please those people no matter what you do.

The mass majority that buy the game will be totally unaware of any issue, and will just enjoy the game.

It's stupid that none of the other Zelda amiibo are supported.

No costume unlocks? No item spawns?

Nothing?

Why exactly have some of us been duped into spending hundreds of dollars collecting these things again?

I suppose the devs were putting all of their effort into enhancing the experience. Oh, wait, it's just a barebones Wii port. It's almost comical that this will cost the same as Breath of the Wild in some markets.

I look forward to playing Skyward Sword for the first time, so I'm not particularly mad about the pricing or the general laziness of the port, and the amiibo and Joy-Con are gorgeous, but I can see why many fans are so irked by Nintendo. Perhaps Nintendo may learn a lesson or two from this PR exercise, but history fills me with doubt.

@electrolite77,

It's effectively a cheat locked behind an Amiibo figure, not sure it's that big of a deal to be honest, as somebody already posted there is already fast travel within the regular game, some are making out there is not, which is incorrect.

This amiibo is turning into the new "Mario 3D All-Stars and Mario 35 are disappearing after March 31" for this site, in terms of the number of stories you're going to wring out of it, huh?

Crap, I was hoping this would mean the Zelda line would get reprints. Oh well.

@iuli,

Not sure of your point, some will complain no matter what Nintendo does, and there will be people who offer a counter opinion, not sure where the trolling comes into any of this.

Perhaps it's just easier to label people as trolls when they say something others do not agree with, or are not as upset about things as other people are.

@nessisonett How is this a PR nightmare? People don't like that an amiibo does something. That isn't really anything new. A PR nightmare would be if the figure was done with lead paint.

@Shinnos : Tomorrow on Nintendo Life:

Dust off your 3DS! You can use the Zelda and Loftwing amiibo in New Style Boutique 3!

Tagline: Old Tricks, New Amiibo

And next week:

Scalpers hold Zelda and Loftwing hostage!

Tagline: Skyward Soared!

@JuiceMan_V But clicks and views!

@NTDO89,

Things like this are always a massive PR issue, as the internet posting minorities, always feel they are in the majority.

@NTDO89,

Two articles on this within a day, for sure it's for clicks and outrage, not sure is will beat the record of the discontinuation of the Mario 3D collection though.

@CactusMan I get why you'd say that but I think it's just cooler to make a new item than locking a feature behind an amiibo that we all know will be hard to obtain.

It's clear that Nintendo are just looking to make money with more collectibles rather than enhance user experiences.

I'm just going to wait until the 3rd party nfc card is available on amazon. I got the complete Splatoon amiibo collection for 20$ from 3rd party developers on there. If I had bought the Nintendo Splatoon amiibo that would have cost me like 400$.

@Agent_5,

People often forget about the non genuine amiibo cards etc out there.

@johnvboy Yeah

@Agent_5,

I got all the Animal crossing sanrio cards for peanuts, they were printed plastic credit card sized, worked fine and looked amazing.

I'm pretty sure only wolf link worked for twilight princess, maybe I'm wrong though

Very strange. Even if all it did was top up your hearts or other items. I know there ism potential for Nintendo to reveal more info about the game (if there is more to tell) but it seems Nintendo are being less ambitious with this re-release if they intent to charge full price and provide a bigger than standard amiibo.

Trouble is this is a new game to a lot of the people that played Breath of the Wild that might be interested in it so they may not realise or care.

And people (like me) will by the amiibo because regardless it's a gorgeous little figure to collect.

@JuiceMan_V Unless the article has been edited since you made your comment, where in this article are they spreading misinformation?

Just for reference from the article: "(...)but the figure has also come under fire for essentially serving as a way for Nintendo to lock a desirable and improved in-game feature behind an expensive – and limited – paywall."

Against your comment: "Skyward Sword already has fast travel, but that Amiibo enables you to go to Skyloft from anywhere, which is more like a cheat as it makes you circumvent a design aspect of the game."

The comment from the article in and of itself does not say that SS has no fast-travel, just that this new feature would of been desirable in the base game; which it would be, although I would hope Nintendo removed most of the unnecessary text-boxes more to be honest.

I still find it funny how stuff like war, pandemic, racism, hungry and poverty don't get certain people angry but Nintendo selling a toy for $25 or taking away a video game gets them angry

@johnvboy Sometimes my Splatoon nfc cards get corrupt data, but other than that, they work great! In my opinion, the nfc cards are better than amiibo. Unless you like collecting them.

@mudmask Didn't Ganondorf unlock a hard mode?

I'd be annoyed if the amiibo did something of real value, like muted Fi or allowed you to fly at night or skip those dreadful gathering segments. This is a tiny enhancement to an existing feature. It's not even in the same level as the swift sail in Wind Waker HD. Save that precious indignation.

The fact that the Ganondorf amiibo doesn't multiply enemy damage hurts me; playing Twilight Princess HD with that function in Hero mode was so stressful but fun and I was hoping Skyward Sword HD would have the same feature.

@Agent_5,

And they save on space, I have no desire to collect the figurines, I bought the Star Fox one in the beginning, just to see what all the fuss was about, sold it soon after.

I like the switch cart sized printed Animal crossing ones, they look awesome, and up to now I have never had an issue with one.

@mudmask Any Link amiibo refilled your arrows, Zelda/Sheik refilled your hearts, and Ganondorf doubled enemy damage. Really, only Wolf Link and Ganondorf had worthwhile features but they were there at least.

@OstianOwl I only have TP on the Wii. Is the amiibo function in the HD version a good enough reason for me to buy another TP?

Why in the world wouldn't they find something for Skyward Sword Link to activate... maybe any Link, just because.

I don't care about this game... or amiibo... but they could easily find something for the Link amiibo so people don't feel pretty screwed.

Your Link amiibo will unlock different costumes for Link... yay!?

The only real headscratcher is that other Zelda amiibos have no functionality. That's just odd.

But otherwise, this functionality is nothing-burger considering what's already been pointed out. A version of fast travel already exists in the game and it's perfectly fine. The price is ridiculous and I'll gladly pass on it. I like amiibos. I don''t like 'em that much

@MS7000,

The article knows what it is doing, it's there simply for outrage and clicks.

This is a cheat locked behind an amiibo figure, pure and simple, most who buy this game will either be aware or even care about the issue in the first place.

@Agent_5 Really only if you're down with the idea of all enemies hitting like a truck with the Ganondorf amiibo in Hero Mode. The Wolf Link dungeon is fine but it's basically another Cave of Ordeals.

@NTDO89 you're right! https://www.nintendo.com/amiibo/games/detail/the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-wii-u/

I mainly got wolf link for breath of the wild compatibility. I love bringing wolf link in.

@OstianOwl Another cave of Ordeals?! I still can't beat the first one!

Given that this amiibo will sell out anyway, I'm struggling to understand why they couldn't include this feature with a selection of previous Zelda amiibo, and maybe use some other ones to give you daily drops like rupees.

I suppose Nintendo need to make money somehow, if they are not going to make new games.

I sure won't be buying it.

@Desa

But you can teleport out of a dungeon at any time with the mirror in Link to the Past, and the ocarina in Link's Awakening, and Farore's Wind in Ocarina of Time, and Oocoo Jr. in Twlight Princess...

I'd say teleporting might be quite a frequent part of Zelda design.

@Rika_Yoshitake What a Nintendo fansite has fanboys and girls. 2021 shock of the year.

Wait, you have to buy a figurine to use a game mechanic? This is beyond greedy.

@johnvboy The article's intentions aside (we could speculate on them all day long, although the "clicks" conclusion is a fair one), the article has not said anything incorrect and people do care for what is a valid reason. You and others may find it vapid, which is fine, but at the same time (and I am not saying you in particular here), it is frustrating the amount of people who keep putting down those who are concerned because it is seemingly unimportant.

Nintendo get away with a lot of things which I think they shouldn't, and normally most people defend it by saying it is either insignificant, other companies are worse, or a mixture of the two. What happened to calling out bad practices because they were bad, and not because they were worse than another companies practices?

I mean, if this was a lone incident I assume people wouldn't care as much. But it is another iffy thing in a line of iffy things from Nintendo which is why people are upset IMO.

Fast travel should've been a free QOL update anyway, especially considering they're asking full price for it, and that holds true even if it was 'only' €40.

Maybe I'll just play this game with out the Amiibo, just like the original game, oh no I can't warp at anytime? I never had that problem playing it last time

@iuli,

I still maintain not many people will no or care, but just an opinion, lets see how the game sells to see if there is a backlash against this issue.

In related news, Skyward Sword is a C- game and always will be.

@CactusMan Near unplayable? Thats a huge exaggeration. I didnt have the Amiibo for it, I played the original GB version multiple times and the remake and other than a little extra time there is next to no difference.

@MS7000,

The level of importance of this cheat being locked behind a paywall is a matter of opinion, my personal one is it's a minor issue.

No problem with people stating it's a massive issue though, but I just do not agree with them.

For people that still think that Nintendo remasters arent over priced. Just going to remind you all that the Mass Effect Trilogy, with all 3 games remastered, with some updated mechanics and updated graphics with ALL dlc...is the same price as this....and this game locks a key feature behind a limited edition paywall....you are fooling yourself if you think Nintendo's pricing makes sense.

@johnvboy And that is perfectly fine. Truth be told, I also agree (though the price hike for the amiibo is annoying). My comment is more in general that it almost seems as if anything that can be perceived as negative opinions gets dogpiled.

@iuli,

There is no definitive right or wrong about any of this, it's all just personal opinions at the end of the day.

Yes the internet is growing all the time, but these forums still remain pretty niche, then you have to accept there will be people with multiple accounts etc, so getting a true reflection is always going to be difficult.

There's reason to be upset, after all Nintendo is selling us a wii game (hardly changed) for $60! That's reason enough to be upset alone! But what's more? For a quality of life improvement, they decided the best way to put it in was to force you to spend $25 on it! You could've bought a video game or two for that price! Crappy business in my opinion.

@MS7000,

Without a doubt, and it's totally natural to be upset at something that bothers you personally, then to be mystified as to why others do not share the same outrage.

I would love Nintendo to include this cheat into the regular game, but do not see it as broken if they do not, now of course if they removed a regular feature from the game and locked it behind an amiibo, then I would be far more concerned.

@Darlinfan,

If an individual that has an opinion on a subject good or bad, then it's up to them, they should not need to feel it's other people as well, they also should not care if someone else feels it's a minor issue, as that's the nature of personal opinions.

I know the way I feel on this subject and stand by it. the fact others do not agree, or are upset in the first place does not bother me in the slightest.

And I have never stated peoples opinions on this or any other subject are not valid on a personal level, my point has always been it's tough to suggest it's more people than it actually is, as there is no real way of gauging this, apart from the individual games sales, and even then if the game sells well, the naysayers will always state game sales do not equate to satisfaction.

This'll be expensive month. I already pre-ordered the game and the joy cons. And even if I usually don't buy Amiibos anymore. I think I will get this one as well

@Darlinfan,

Fine by me, nobody is forced to agree with my opinion on this subject or any other for that matter, and the whole major/minor issue is subject to opinion anyway.

And I still state people saying it's minor at best should not impact the people with issues, they have their own opinions and should not need any support from others.

@Darlinfan,

Another debate that one, and it's not like Nintendo are locking basic features behind amiibo's in every game, they have simply decided to reward people who buy a more expensive amiino figure with a cheat code.

A feature that was not in the original game and in no way makes the experience broken without it, or massively better with it's inclusion. If Nintendo decided to lock a new better control method or an existing feature in the original game, behind an amiibo figure or card, then I would agree with you.

So stating an issue with a principle, you would have to demonstrate to me that the issue you had was all that bad in the first place, but my own personal opinion it's not.

@Darlinfan,

So if they lock something behind an amiibo that nobody will really use, it's still a bad idea, that makes no sense whatsoever.

@Minecraft_Master Ahhh missed your comments! Cheered me up no end...

@johnvboy Haven't really been in here much for the past few weeks, busy with work, taking a break from games plus other bits and bobs, I see people are still crying over first world problems that mean nothing in the real world, and some comment sections are much more "fighty" than usual.

@WiltonRoots,

The mere suggestion that this is a minor issue causes uproar, from some, not so sure it's any more argumentative than usual.

I'm so happy I own an N2Elite so I never have to pay Nintendo for their ludicrous business practices. They make it so easy to want to pirate amiibos and emulate their old games. It's all too morally justified

@johnvboy So I noticed reading through! I think the site is milking this Amiibo thing because SixtyDollarGate didn't have the legs they thought it would.

@Darlinfan,

And by the same token, one having an issue with this does not mean it's a bad thing or business practice, just means on a personal level some people are upset or disagree with it.

Works both ways you see.

And I am not suggesting something that is bad, is good, I am suggesting it was not all that bad in the first place.

@fbnaulin I would say no, it's not an important feature, it would simply make certain people's play styles more convenient. There are plenty of bird statues in the game, so it shouldn't be an issue for you.

@Dingelhopper,

Looking at things that way you could almost justify anything, I will never pay for a game again, because Nintendo locked an insignificant cheat behind an amiibo, which has it's own inherent value as an item in the first place of course, a feature that was not present in the existing game in the first place.

I have no issue if people want to pirate retro content, as in a lot of cases it's the only way to attain it, but trying to justify it because a company makes some business decisions that you and others do not personally agree with is strange, and wrong, if you pirate just embrace it for what it is. no need for justification.

@WiltonRoots,

The site sure likes it's clicks and outrage articles, they struck gold with the Mario 35th cancellation, now look like they have a new contender with this one, expect a lot more articles on this latest one.

Nothing I can say that hasn't already been said in the comments section which I don't even need to read.

@johnvboy sorry, I actually didn't mean pirating video games and meant just amiibos. I'm against pirating brand new video games. But there's no way I'm buying dlc locked behind plastic figures that end up scalped and sold at ridiculous prices. If Nintendo just old them as regular dlc I would be buying it

@Darlinfan,

You are making a big deal about all this, I can see why people get upset about this, but I have simply stated the reasons that I myself are not that bothered about it.

Never stated your or other peoples concerns were like throwing a tantrum, not sure why you thought I did.

@Dingelhopper,

No issues with you at all, and you are free to do what you want, just not sure you needed to justify it.

Not even the Skyward Sword Link amiibo? That is remarkably stupid. Still very much looking forward to the game itself, though.

@Jake_qwerp,

I don't think he was suggesting people could not complain about a game that sells well, just that all the complaining would not make that much difference.

My own personal take of course.

The only news I want is confirmation of the pre-order date.

@johnvboy

you did though. just take the L johny boy, how many comments are you going to post on this thing you don't care about

All this talk about amiibo, when the game itself should be the talking point. It's a great game, and if you have even a shred of patience the locations of the bird statues won't bother you, so the amiibo that lets you immediately rise up through the clouds is pointless outside of the speedrunning community. I know NL likes to make a mountain out of a molehill, but we're getting SS again and I for one am pumped to play it again!

@Shiiva Me too, am looking forward to playing without having to regularly calibrate the controls too.

I really like the look of the Amiibo but if I buy it am not sure I'm going to take it out of the box anyway. I don't remember the traveling being very inconvenient in Skyward Sword.

@fbnaulin Yes, it is. That's part of why this amiibo DLC is absolutely awful. SS is not an easy game to play through because the pacing is pretty terrible at times and the controls are some of the worst the series has ever seen. The only saving grace of the game is the story, the music, and the dungeons, but everything in between is a slog. The fast travel would help the pacing immensely, but the feature is locked behind the amiibo pay wall.

@Shambo Oh no now they are going to go out of business without your one purchase!! Lmmfao!! Love these worthless comments!!!

@B_Lindz I think that the controls are subjective as I didn’t have a single issue with the motion controls as my GF at the time didn’t either and we actually loved the way they worked!!!

Once again, I'll enjoy my N2 Elite that unlocks amiibo features for free.

I really don't care that the fast travel feature is available exclusively to the amiibo, in fact I think is a fair trade, but the fact that this amiibo is purposely being overpriced and is the only Zelda amiibo compatible with the game just really makes this such a ridiculous poor decision and is mindblowing how stupid this is... specifically with the fact that not even the Skyward Sword Link amiibo can be used, is utter rubbish! Why even bother adding an amiibo option at this point, this just feels like a lot more of a really quick cash grab, is no different than scamming fans for their money and that just makes Nintendo look so greedy in their part!

@zeldaloftiwingamiibo,

As many as I want fella, just because the issue is minor to me does not mean I cant offer a counter argument, or do you just want the comment section to be an echo chamber.

@B_Lindz,

So basically you do not like the game in the first place, and this has just given you another reason not to buy it, seems like you have not lost all that much there.

@johnvboy

but it has because it is mostly your comments. and you threw a tantrum and are now trying to backpedal. everybody can see this and that's why i say just take the L and move on, nobody needs to be this online over a minor issue to them

I can understand people under the age of 12 buying Amiibos, but I'll never understand why anyone else would buy Zelda and Mario dolls. Is there no shame left in the world?

I won't be buying any stupid dolls or action figures in order to play a computer game. Why does entertainment have to be tied to buying a stupid doll? Nintendo is the craziest company in the world.

@zeldaloftiwingamiibo,

Never threw any tantrums mate, the tantrums on here are from people thinking they are somehow entitled to everything Nintendo does with it's games, a feature that was not even in the original game, and is being given as a bonus to people buying a more expensive amiibo figure.

I am surprised this is even an issue to be honest.

@Caligvla ... Okay. Glad you loved it, I suppose. I don't particularly enjoy your type of useless comment, but hey, no harm done.

@electrolite77,

Fair enough mate, and you have to go with your own opinions on this, for me it won't stop me buying it, and as for the need for this article, I doubt we needed two within a twenty four hour period, on the exact same subject.

Can't wait for the $30 Groose amiibo to skip the Imprisoned boss fights.

@Minecraft_Master

Who is forcing you to play the game again?

This game isn't for people like you or me who have already played it.

Nintendo can "get away" with it because there are a heck of a lot of people who never played Skyward Sword before and want to play it. There's literally no reason to sell it at a reduced price. It's a "new" game to them. And this amiibo looks beautiful and I'm going to buy it for my collection. Other people will too.

Skyward Sword never made back the cost of development. It was a colossal failure, financially speaking. From the preorder numbers, it sounds like they're going to be making bank on this remake. It's smart business, and people like me who WANT to revisit the game with improved QoL features and uprez'd graphics will pay for that, even though we can play it on our Wii Us and Wiis we still have.

If you don't think it's worth more than $25, then don't buy it. Why do you have to come onto a forum and complain about the cost of something you clearly don't think is worth the money it costs?

Oh, that's right, I forgot. Nobody is forcing you to buy it.

I wonder how many people are getting this because they like the amiibo itself? I haven't bought an amiibo since 2017 but I think it's worth splashing out on this. It's not too hard to preorder here in the UK either, as the GAME UK has it up but it doesn't show up on Google or anything, which is really sweet

At the moment,
this amiibo is just fast travel for Skyward Sword,
but have y'all figured out yet that it would also be eventually utilized for Breath of the Wild 2?