14th November 2011 - 2011 has truly been the year of Zelda, with Nintendo celebrating the 25th anniversary of the epic adventure series, The Legend of Zelda. To cap off what has been a year to remember for Zelda fans, Nintendo is set to launch one of the most highly anticipated The Legend of Zelda titles of all time, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, exclusively for Wii on 18th November across Europe.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword lays the foundation for the events in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which is frequently cited as one of the greatest video games of all time. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is already garnering very high critical acclaim and is looking certain to surpass the review scores from any other game in the series. Leading publications from across the world have been keen to point out how much they have enjoyed playing the game:

“A triumph (..) How apt that this ultimate tale of hero-making should see Nintendo's hardware become the console it was always meant to be.”
10 out of 10, Edge, December issue

“It's the first 10 that I've ever given out in my two years at Game Informer. (…) This impressive combat system leads to some of the most interesting boss battles in the series’ history.”
10 out of 10, Game Informer, December issue

"Ocarina of Time has met its match. (...) The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is the greatest Zelda game ever created. It's the best game for Wii and one of the finest video game accomplishments of the past 10 years. (...) ”Once again, Nintendo is demonstrating its unparalleled ability to craft some of the greatest gameplay this industry has ever seen."
10 out of 10, IGN

“It's time to dust off your Nunchuk - this is the game the Wii was made for. (…) Skyward Sword is the best Zelda yet for sure - full of lovingly crafted, surprising little touches - Nintendo have created something utterly compelling and quite magical. A brilliant video game - in almost every way. One of the best games of this year and of any year.”
The Times, Douglas Rankine

"After 25 years of brilliance, Skyward Sword is the best Zelda yet. (…) [It] soars above any other adventure game in the market today."
The Sun, Derek Brown

"Majestic and ingenious, Skyward Sword soars."
The Telegraph, Tom Hoggins

Fans and media alike can’t wait to guide Link on his all-new journey through a multi-layered world. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword seamlessly blends intense ground-based adventuring with breathtaking exploration above the clouds. Wii MotionPlus technology is fully utilised for the first time in a Zelda game, allowing you to glide through the skies on the back of a majestic bird and dive through the clouds to the continent below. This new and epic quest is set against a backdrop of a distinctly unique graphical art style and boasts a classic Zelda soundtrack which for the first time features fully orchestrated music.

The launch of this game heralds the most realistic sword combat of any game to date on Wii. Thanks to the introduction of full motion controls enabled by Wii MotionPlus, you can look forward to a completely immersive and natural gameplay experience where every movement of the Wii Remote is replicated on the screen. In a recent Iwata Asks interview, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata spoke to series producer Eiji Aonuma about the addition. Mr. Iwata says: “I suppose it’s like gradually becoming able to use a brush better, or a chisel”, to which Mr. Aonuma replies “Or maybe a musical instrument. As you’re using it, your body grows familiar with it and you gradually master the use of it.”

Wield your Wii Remote Plus (or Wii Remote with Wii MotionPlus accessory) and watch it faithfully replicate the angle of every sword slice. Different enemies have different battle tactics, so you must analyse their approach and develop counterattacks that play on their weaknesses. The game’s wide array of items also utilise full motion control, letting you roll bombs, shoot arrows and guide flying objects like never before.

The moment that all Zelda fans have been waiting for is taking place on 18th November when The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is released across Europe exclusively to Wii.

For more information and videos about The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword visit www.nintendo.co.uk/skywardsword

For more information about The Legend of Zelda visit Nintendo UK's The Legend of Zelda Hub at www.nintendo.co.uk/zelda

For more information on The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary visit www.zelda25th.co.uk