Nintendo is set to release the HD remaster of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword on 16 July for the Switch. Along with the game itself, an amiibo is also set to be released on the same day. But one convenient, quality of life (QoL) feature of the game is locked behind that amiibo.
For context, in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, you can normally return to a floating hub via save points. This is where you restock on items, among other things. But the amiibo makes it so that you can do so without first looking for a save point. You can even do it while inside dungeons, potentially cheapening the challenge of the dungeon.
On one hand, the amiibo itself is pretty good looking. The Skyward Sword rendition of Zelda, one of the few who isn’t a princess, looks great with the blue Loftwing she is seen with in the game. But on the other, it feels really scummy of Nintendo to lock what is essentially a cheat behind an amiibo. And these can often be a pain to find.
Meet the new Zelda & Loftwing amiibo, launching on 7/16! This amiibo features two characters on a single base and can be used to travel between the surface and the sky in The Legend of Zelda: #SkywardSwordHD.https://t.co/mbhwOfSzX5 pic.twitter.com/YFK5WbYYHZ
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 19, 2021
It doesn’t look like it’s a convenience that can be unlocked in a game via normal gameplay either. Vice Games reporter Patrick Klepek tried getting a confirmation from Nintendo. But as usual, a PR person just redirected him to the amiibo’s website.
I asked Nintendo if the fast travel in Skyward Sword HD that's ludicrously unlocked by purchasing an amiibo is at all accessible without an amiibo– through a menu or other means–and Nintendo PR pointed me towards the website for the amiibo. So take that as you will.
— Patrick Klepek (@patrickklepek) May 19, 2021
As mentioned, the amiibo will be released alongside The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD on 16 July. It has an official price of US$24.99 (~RM104), so who knows what that number will be like when importers bring them in to our shores.
(Source: Nintendo / Twitter)
