Legend of Zelda: Nintendo announces Skyward Sword for Wii U eShop, new Amiibo and more

Nintendo has eased the wait for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild by announcing the immediate worldwide re-release of Skyward Sword for Nintendo Wii U as an eShop digital download. The announcement came during a 3DS-focused Nintendo Direct on 1 September, while an update to the eShop website later revealed that the game will cost £17.99 in the UK.

The Kyoto giant also revealed a new range of Amiibo based on classic games in the series that will be compatible with the upcoming Wii U and Nintendo NX title, as well as new DLC for Hyrule Warriors Legends on Nintendo 3DS.

First released in 2011 on the Nintendo Wii, Skyward Sword attempted to revolutionise Zelda's traditional gameplay through its innovative motion-control swordplay.

It also introduced a stamina metre and exploration mechanics that may have inspired the expansive scope of Breath of the Wild's survival-focused, open-world adventure due in 2017.

The re-release is also a straight port rather than an HD remaster, unlike the treatments enjoyed by The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. Due to the game's reliance on Nintendo's MotionPlus technology, a Wii Remote Plus controller or Wii MotionPlus accessory is required.

On the Amiibo front, Nintendo revealed four new Zelda-themed figures - all of which will have some kind of compatibility with Breath of the Wild via their in-built NFC chips. Adult Link from Ocarina of Time, Toon Link and Zelda from The Wind Waker, and an 8-bit Link from the original NES Zelda make up the latest batch of collectibles.

Finally, Nintendo also announced new DLC for Hyrule Warriors Legends. The Dynasty Warriors spin-off for Nintendo 3DS will receive additional characters and weapons based on the Nintendo DS Zelda games Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks. The latest chunk of DLC is available to download now.

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