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The upcoming release of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD on the Nintendo Switch will see more than just a fresh coat of HD paint--the game will also add in some new quality of life changes. For example, the newly-revealed Zelda and Loftwing amiibo will let players fast travel to the sky from within dungeons or while on land. In the original release of the game, fast travel mechanics were only available when you were at Bird Statues, which also acted as save points.

This wouldn't mark the first time that Nintendo has locked features behind the paywall of using amiibo; Metroid: Samus Returns on the Nintendo 3DS had a controversial reveal that an amiibo would unlock a special Fusion Mode. Nintendo hasn't made it entirely clear as to whether or not fast travel capabilities will be locked purely behind purchasing the more-expensive-than-usual $24.99 amiibo, but for now, it seems like it's exclusive to those that can scan the figure. Both The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD and the fast-travel unlocking Zelda and Loftwing amiibo will launch on July 16th.

Every legend has an origin – and soon you can follow the earliest tale in The Legend of Zelda™ timeline when the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD game launches on the Nintendo Switch™ system. The HD version of this classic adventure features enhanced performance, smoother motion controls, and newly added button-only controls. The new “Zelda & Loftwing” amiibo* will be released on July 16 to accompany the launch of the game.

The Zelda & Loftwing amiibo features two characters on a single base: Zelda as she appears in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, and her trusty Loftwing.

In The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, Zelda is the hero Link’s childhood friend, and is always looking out for him. Loftwings are large birds living on the floating islands of Skyloft and are ridden by the people there to travel across the skies.

Introducing the Zelda & Loftwing amiibo!




In The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, the adventure takes place between the skies where Link and his friends reside, and the vast world of the surface that lies beneath the clouds.

Normally, you can only return from the surface to the sky by way of designated save points, but using the Zelda & Loftwing amiibo while on the surface in the game will allow you to return to the skies from anywhere on the surface, even inside dungeons.

 

[MultiKoopa]

oh wooooooooooooow

ninty

what're ya doing

 

[MaxToTheMax]

I’m buying the Amiibo and not the game to save money. That’s using your noodle.

 

[Julie_Pilgrim]

Nintendo sells you a basic feature for $25

 

[VinsCool]

Now that's kinda stupid, tbh.
While the game could have been improved with some fast travel features, there was no issues the way it was originally made, just a little annoying between certain sky sections.

I would have been up for QOL improvements instead, like how Wind Waker HD was improved with faster travel speeds in the ocean, but there, this is flat out cheating for a price, with a cosmetic plastic collectable that will be cloned day one and pretty much rendered worthless unless you're an avid collector.

I dunno, maybe I am cynical, but it just feels wrong to lock a feature like that under an amiibo, what's the point of playing if you can buy the extra and just skip through all the parts between every maps of the game worlds?

Hopefully there will be some clarifications, because, I have mixed feelings about this one.

 

[raxadian]

Just play the original in Dolphin wirh a speed cheat.

 

[The Catboy]

Wow, that’s significantly worse than your average microtransaction

 

[raxadian]

Wow, that’s significantly worse than your average microtransaction

Worse, is for an old game that got a HD port. The old game worked just fine without fast travel it just lacked a mute button for the sword.

 

[MohammedQ8]

I will download it for my amiiqo.

 

[SAIYAN48]

Decent idea, poor execution. I wonder if this remake will be worht it. The HD version of Twilight Princess still doesn't compare to the original on Dolphin with some texture packs. TP looks great in 4k.

 

[Xzi]

OOF. New Amiibos take forever to come out, and the supply is always limited. This is even dumber than making the feature paid DLC.

 

[Julie_Pilgrim]

OOF. New Amiibos take forever to come out, and the supply is always limited. Even dumber than making it paid DLC.

Not only are they locking a basic feature behind a paywall, said feature is nearly impossible to get!

 

[CompSciOrBust]

That sucks, oh well. Emuiibo it is then!

 

[Chary]

And this is why you keep writeable amiibo tags laying around...

 

[Julie_Pilgrim]

And this is why you keep writeable amiibo tags laying around...

Or you could just play the game on dolphin

 

[AkiraKurusu]

The second-worst Legend of Zelda game (behind BotW) has an overpriced, ugly figurine that unlocks a handy mechanic?
Not at all surprised. Screw this game.

 

[Julie_Pilgrim]

Not only are they locking a basic feature behind a paywall, said feature is nearly impossible to get!

At least the figure looks ok, i guess

 

[ShadowOne333]

You can shove that Amiibo right up your ass, Nintendo.
I'll unlock that shit through Emuiibo and cheat codes.

Fuck you

 

[Seliph]

You tellin me I gotta pay up 25 of my hard-earned doublooneroonies just ta fast travel in this stinkin' game? On toppa the 60 dollah price tag? You gotta be pullin my leg! I've got kids to feed! Lil bambinos! Yeesh.

 

[Julie_Pilgrim]

You tellin me I gotta pay up 25 of my hard-earned doublooneroonies just ta fast travel in this stinkin' game? On toppa the 60 dollah price tag? You gotta be pullin my leg! I've got kids to feed! Lil bambinos! Yeesh.

seliph is one of the sopranos confirmed