Unlocking the Skies: What Does the Skyward Sword Zelda Amiibo Really Give You?
The Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo, specifically tied to The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, offers a unique and powerful in-game advantage. Scanning this amiibo allows you to instantly travel between the surface world and the sky from almost anywhere on the map, even within dungeons. Scan it once on the surface to ascend to the sky, and scan it again in the sky to return to the exact spot you left. This circumvents the need to find a Bird Statue for fast travel, saving significant time and streamlining exploration. Furthermore, in Tears of the Kingdom, scanning it will reward you with a white glider with a Hylian crest.
Delving Deeper: The Power of Instant Travel
The primary benefit of the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo is its ability to bypass the traditional fast travel system in Skyward Sword HD. Ordinarily, players are restricted to using Bird Statues to move between the sky and the surface. These statues are strategically placed, but they still require you to backtrack to their location, interrupting the flow of gameplay.
This Amiibo breaks those limitations. Imagine being deep within a dungeon, running low on supplies, or needing to quickly access a different area. With a simple scan of the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo, you can instantly return to the sky, restock at the bazaar, or visit a specific location, then immediately return to where you were in the dungeon. This seamless travel significantly reduces the time spent on tedious backtracking, allowing you to focus on exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving.
Tears of the Kingdom Bonus: A Stylish Glider
While primarily designed for Skyward Sword HD, the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo also unlocks a cosmetic reward in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Scanning the Amiibo provides you with a unique paraglider fabric: a white glider adorned with the Hylian crest. This allows you to customize Link’s paraglider and show off your appreciation for the Skyward Sword era of the Zelda timeline.
Understanding the Limitations
While the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo is a powerful tool, it’s essential to understand its limitations.
- One Scan Per Use: After using the Amiibo to travel, there’s a cooldown period before you can scan it again. You can’t repeatedly teleport back and forth without a brief wait.
- Primary Function in Skyward Sword HD: The instant travel is most relevant in Skyward Sword HD. The paraglider fabric is a nice bonus in Tears of the Kingdom, but the Amiibo’s core utility is tied to the earlier game’s mechanics.
- Amiibo Availability and Price: The Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo can be difficult to find at its original retail price. Demand and scarcity often lead to inflated prices on the secondary market.
Unleashing the Full Potential
To maximize the benefit of the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo, consider these strategies:
- Strategic Planning: Use the ability to travel anywhere to your advantage. Before entering a lengthy dungeon, plan your inventory and supplies. Have a clear idea of what you need and where you’re going.
- Resource Management: Utilize the quick travel to restock on essential items like arrows, potions, and shields. A quick trip to the bazaar can prevent you from getting stuck in a challenging situation.
- Exploration Efficiency: Use the Amiibo to access hard-to-reach areas or quickly traverse the map. This can help you discover hidden secrets and complete side quests more efficiently.
Additional Considerations
The Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo is a valuable addition to any Zelda fan’s collection. Its instant travel capability in Skyward Sword HD and unique paraglider fabric in Tears of the Kingdom provide tangible in-game benefits. By understanding its strengths and limitations, you can use this Amiibo to enhance your gaming experience and fully explore the worlds of Hyrule.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly is an Amiibo?
An Amiibo is a physical figurine that contains an NFC (Near Field Communication) chip. When scanned on a compatible device (like a Nintendo Switch or Wii U), the Amiibo can interact with specific video games, unlocking in-game content, features, or bonuses. They are collectible figures and interactive game enhancers.
2. Does the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo work with the original Skyward Sword on Wii?
No, the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo is specifically designed for Skyward Sword HD on the Nintendo Switch. The original Wii version does not have Amiibo functionality.
3. Can I use the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo multiple times per day?
Yes, you can use the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo multiple times per day, but there is a cooldown period after each use. You cannot instantly teleport back and forth repeatedly without a short wait. The exact duration of the cooldown varies, but it’s usually a few minutes.
4. Besides instant travel, does the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo unlock any other content in Skyward Sword HD?
The primary function of the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo in Skyward Sword HD is instant travel. It doesn’t unlock any other exclusive content, items, or features beyond this core ability. Other Zelda Amiibos may unlock different items.
5. What other Zelda Amiibos are compatible with Skyward Sword HD?
While the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo has a unique function, other Zelda Amiibos might offer smaller benefits, such as providing a chest with random items like rupees, materials, or occasionally, weapons. These bonuses are not exclusive and can be obtained through regular gameplay.
6. Can I use a bootleg or unofficial Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo to get the same benefits?
Unofficial or bootleg Amiibos may claim to replicate the functionality of genuine Amiibos, but their reliability and functionality are not guaranteed. Furthermore, purchasing bootleg items supports unethical practices. It’s always best to purchase authentic Amiibos from reputable retailers.
7. Is the glider skin in Tears of the Kingdom exclusive to the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo?
Yes, the white glider with the Hylian crest is exclusive to the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo in Tears of the Kingdom. There is no other way to obtain this specific design.
8. Can I still get the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo if it’s sold out in stores?
The Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo can be difficult to find in stores due to high demand and limited availability. You may need to check online retailers, auction sites, or secondhand markets. However, be cautious of inflated prices and ensure you are purchasing from a reputable seller.
9. Does the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo work on the Nintendo Switch Lite?
Yes, the Zelda & Loftwing Amiibo works with the Nintendo Switch Lite. However, the Switch Lite doesn’t have built-in NFC functionality on the Joy-Cons like the standard Switch. You’ll need to scan the Amiibo using the NFC touchpoint on the right analog stick.
10. What other Amiibos give you paraglider fabrics in Tears of the Kingdom?
Various Zelda Amiibos unlock different paraglider fabrics in Tears of the Kingdom. Some examples include the Tears of the Kingdom Link Amiibo, which provides a blue glider skin, and the Breath of the Wild Link (Rider) Amiibo, which provides a fabric matching the Hylian Hood from that game.
11. What is the most effective way to use Amiibos in Tears of the Kingdom?
The most effective way to use Amiibos in Tears of the Kingdom is to scan them daily to receive a variety of items, including weapons, materials, and paraglider fabrics. While the items are somewhat random, consistent use can provide a steady supply of resources.
12. Are the rewards from Amiibos considered cheating in Zelda games?
Whether using Amiibos is considered “cheating” is subjective. Amiibos provide in-game advantages, but they are an official feature supported by Nintendo. Some players may view them as shortcuts, while others see them as legitimate tools to enhance their gaming experience. The Games Learning Society explores the intersection of games and learning, including how such in-game tools influence player strategies. The final decision is left up to the player.
13. Is there a limit to how many Amiibos I can scan in a day in Tears of the Kingdom?
While there is no hard limit on the number of Amiibos you can scan per day in Tears of the Kingdom, you can only receive rewards from each individual Amiibo once per day. You can scan multiple different Amiibos, but you won’t get additional rewards by scanning the same Amiibo multiple times within a 24-hour period.
14. Will using Amiibos ruin my experience of playing Skyward Sword HD or Tears of the Kingdom?
Using Amiibos will not necessarily ruin your experience; it depends on your personal preferences. They can make the game easier, but they also provide unique ways to engage with the game world and unlock exclusive content. Experiment and decide what works best for you.
15. Where can I learn more about the impact of gaming and game design on education and learning?
For more information about the intersection of gaming and learning, including the educational potential of games like The Legend of Zelda, visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website.