Yes, You Can Play Skyward Sword on the Wii U
As a passionate Nintendo gamer and content creator, I‘m constantly exploring which games are available across Nintendo‘s various systems. So I was thrilled to confirm that The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is fully playable on the Wii U!
How Wii U Backwards Compatibility Works
The Wii U contains built-in backwards compatibility hardware that allows you to play original Wii games on the system. This provides a massive library of classic Wii titles to enjoy alongside newer Wii U releases.
According to Nintendo, nearly all Wii software (over 12,000 releases) and save data can be transferred to or accessed on the Wii U. This even includes downloadable titles from the Wii Shop Channel and Virtual Console.
To play Wii discs on your Wii U, simply insert the disc directly into the Wii U console. For digital Wii titles owned on an existing Wii, you can transfer these to your Wii U by doing a system transfer process. This allows you to download your purchased Wii content and transfer save files from the Wii system memory to your Wii U.
| System | Backwards Compatible? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Wii U | Yes | Plays nearly all Wii discs and digital content |
| Nintendo Switch | No | Does not play physical or digital Wii U or Wii games |
As the table shows, the newer Nintendo Switch lacks backwards compatibility, so playing older Wii U and Wii titles like Skyward Sword requires updated ports or remasters specifically developed for the Switch (more on this later).
What Motion Controls and Accessories Are Needed?
Since Skyward Sword relies heavily on motion control swordplay mechanics designed specially for the Wii‘s capabilities, you will need the right gear to play properly on Wii U:
- Wii Remote Plus – Skyward Sword requires Wii MotionPlus built-in controllers to handle the game‘s advanced motion tracking functionality
- Nunchuck – Required to deliver the 1:1 sword control and full range of Link‘s movements
- The Wii U GamePad does not function as controller for Wii/backwards compatible games
So you‘ll need an original Wii Remote Plus or a compatible controller like one bundled with New Nintendo Wii/Wii U systems. Using your existing Wii controllers with Wii U allows you to preserve the original precision motion gameplay.
- Over 75 million Wii Remotes had sold worldwide as of late 2014, so acquiring one should be simple enough!
While the Wii U GamePad can‘t directly control Wii/backwards compatible software, its screen can be used as a helpful supplemental display to provide maps, inventory management or other info as you play through Skyward Sword‘s motion-controlled adventure on your TV.
Diving Into Skyward Sword on Wii U
For those who need a refresher, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword launched near the end of the Wii‘s lifecycle in 2011 as a swan song title to showcase the console‘s motion controlled gaming at its full potential.
Set as the earliest story in the Zelda timeline depicting the creation of Hyrule and the origin of the Master Sword, Skyward Sword delivered an ambitious 50+ hour single player campaign bursting with intricate dungeons, clever puzzles and gorgeously impressionistic art design.
Its bespoke 1:1 sword and combat mechanics resulted in one of the Wii‘s most critically acclaimed games before its succession by the Wii U in 2012.
And now thanks to backwards compatibility, we can revisit Link‘s classic motion-controlled adventure properly on Wii U systems via the original Wii disc or digitally through the Wii Virtual Console.
For collectors like myself who own Skyward Sword for Wii but no longer have the older system hooked up, this provides a great avenue to dive back into the game with my existing copy using the Wii U‘s updated hardware and controllers.
How Does the Wii U Version Compare to the Switch Release?
In addition to backwards compatible access on Wii U, Nintendo also released an enhanced Nintendo Switch port of Skyward Sword in July 2021 to celebrate the game‘s 10th anniversary. This updated release adds quality of life improvements like streamlined tutorials as well as new control schemes.
Most notably, Skyward Sword HD enables a button-only control option on Switch to allow playing the game with standard controls rather than motion gestures. This may appeal to gamers using Switch Lite who lack detachable Joy-Cons.
Here‘s a comparison between the two versions:
| Version | Original Motion Controls? | Other Control Schemes? | Visual Improvements? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skyward Sword on Wii U | Yes, required | No alternate control options | Runs in original 720p resolution |
| Skyward Sword HD on Nintendo Switch | Yes, still supported as primary scheme | Yes, added button-only controls | Enhanced 1080p graphics when docked, 16:9 aspect ratio |
While the Wii U can deliver Skyward Sword‘s original motion gameplay (which many fans still prefer), the Switch release provides more options for controls along with enhanced visuals.
However, the Switch version is sold at full price ($60) while picking up a used copy of Skyward Sword on the Wii U can cost under $30. So for budget-focused gamers, Wii U remains the more affordable way to slash through Skyloft.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully this provided plenty of helpful details on getting eager gamers back to the mystical skies of Skyloft and origins of Hyrule by playing Skyward Sword on Nintendo Wii U systems!
Let me know if you have any other questions – as a passionate Nintendo expert I‘m always happy to assist fellow fans and provide advice across these incredible Zelda adventures.
