The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword was the 16th game in the Legend of Zelda series, originally released in 2011. The HD remaster hit the Nintendo Switch nearly 10 years later, updating the graphics and adding new controls that don't require motion controls.
The Legend of Zelda series is well known for its inclusion of secrets, such as references to pop culture and also callbacks to previous games in the series. Many lines that make an appearance in the early games make their way into later games such as the ever-famous line "It's dangerous to go alone - take this" spoken by the old man in the first game. This is often referenced in other games in the franchise.
10 The Origins Of Names
The names in Legend of Zelda games are always very creative and contain huge references to other characters both in the series and from other sources. In this game, there are a few secrets to all the names in the game. For example, all Kikwi's in the game have a name referencing a type of tea, while Mogmas all reference a type of metal.
Finally, all the residents of Skyloft have names relating to birds, except Batreaux who is a demon and thus a bat was the chosen flying creature. An interesting note to this idea is that Phoeni, the ghostly hand that can be encountered during a sidequest in the toilet of the Academy is the only resident to be named after a fictional bird, the phoenix, which makes sense as she's the only ghost on Skyloft.
9 The Secrets Of Stools
It may seem unusual for there to be any kind of secret to the seats of Skyward Sword, however, this game is packed with some interesting secrets. Using a bit of common sense, the developers decided that if Link were to take a break and sit down, he restores some hearts, it could be something players could take advantage of.
An interesting animation can play if Link sits for too long, in which he begins to doze off for a nap before sharply waking himself up. Another interesting addition is that characters will react to Link sitting on the stool, and may have dialogue for him. For example, if Link takes a seat in the Sealed Temple, it gives the Old One a chance to bring up Link's laziness.
8 Playing For Remlits
The Remlits of Skyloft are small catlike creatures that are very friendly during the daytime. They can use their ears to fly should they be thrown off the island by a particularly evil adventurer. During the night, they turn aggressive, due to the presence of the demon Batreaux which can eventually be ceased.
They reside near the goddess statue, in one of the many secret areas of the game that can be accessed by using Clawshots. If Link plays the goddess harp in front of Remlits, they will sit around him and meow along to the tune he plays.
7 Zelda's Hidden Tingle
At the beginning of the game, Link gets a chance to wander around the rooms of various residents of the Knights Academy. Some things of note are; Groose having Links face on a punching bag, as well as Link's moral objection to searching people's cupboards.
However, once the Clawshots have been unlocked, Link can enter Zelda's room by climbing into the chimney of the Academy. In Zelda's room, Link can find a gratitude crystal at night, and a piece of heart in her cupboard. He can also find her journal next to a doll of Tingle, a fan-favorite recurring character of the series.
6 The Secrets Of The Stones
Once Link gets his hands on the goddess harp, he can use it to summon a gossip stone if he plays it while near a flock of blessed butterflies. They often provide Link with helpful tips about his adventures ahead and gift him a handy treasure when they pop up.
These interesting stones also react differently to Links various items if he uses them on the stones. Shooting it with a bow causes it to drop green rupees - while slashing it with a sword makes it wobble. If the gust bellows or glittering spores are used on it, it will shrink, and if Link blows it up with a bomb, they will get launched off.
5 The Headmasters Hidden Hot-Tub
Zelda's father, Gaepora, is the Headmaster of the Knight Academy of Skyloft. Fans of the games may notice an immediate resemblance to a certain owl that first appeared in Ocarina of Time. That owl, named Kaepora Gaebora. is also likely where the headmaster got his name. If the links weren't close enough, Zelda's father also laughs with an owl-like "hoo" noise.
There is another trait that Gaepora shares with owls, they're both nocturnal. During the night, you can see all the mischief he gets up to by making your way to Zelda's room via the chimney where, in first-person view, you can find Gaepora taking a nice steamy bath.
4 Beedle's Shop Secrets
Beedle is a recurring merchant in the Legend of Zelda series. This eccentric salesman peddles his wares from a floating house powered by a bicycle-like machine. Beedle sells a range of items from medals to wallets and even a piece of heart, though he may not know what it is.
If Link looks at items in Beedle's shop without buying anything before leaving, Beedle will reveal a secret trapdoor, and drop Link out of his Airshop. Link can also fall asleep on the bed in Beedle's shop, allowing the adventurer to wake up on his Island at night. Beedle won't appear his usual self, and a small quest involving his bug can be found here at one point.
3 "It's A Secret To Everybody"
The phrase "It's a secret to everybody" has made an appearance in some form in every Legend of Zelda game and has become one of the most iconic lines from the games amongst fans of the series. The secret changes every time and is referenced by almost a different character in every game.
During Skyward Sword, two characters get the honor of speaking the line. The Kikwi hermit Yerbal, living atop the great tree, says it in regard to the location of Farore's Flame. The second is a secret Parella in a hidden area near the entrance to Lake Floria. If found, it will point link to Faron's location on his dungeon map but will remind him to keep it secret.
2 The Uses Of Glittering Spores
Glittering Spores are a type of mushroom spore that Link can collect in Skyward Sword. Link can slash at any mushroom in Faron Woods, releasing mushroom spores that Link can use a glass bottle to collect. If Link slashes a glittering mushroom, those spores are instead glittering spores, which have magical effects on many things.
Glittering spores have five uses and can be sprinkled on the ground, or dropped items. If released on top of a rupee or rupoor, he can change the value of it. Sprinkling these spores on hearts will turn them into fairies, while the spores will stun many creatures if released over them. The spores can also attract bugs and be used to stop them from running away when they appear.
1 Other References To The Series
During the Wing Ceremony, it is stated that the Knight Academy is celebrating its 25th anniversary, a nod to the original games release falling on the series' 25th anniversary. When Link first meets Lanayru, he is assigned a model number - LD-Link-16, much like the other ancient robots. The LD stands for Lanayru Desert, while the number 16 is a reference to the fact that Skyward Sword is the 16th game in the Legend of Zelda series.
Another nod to previous games in the series appears during the Lanayru mining facility, where one puzzle involves hitting gems in a certain pattern. This pattern is 2-3-1, a sequence that could be a nod to the entrance to the Gohma boss from Ocarina of Time, where "23 is number 1".