The Legend of Zelda has been with us for 20 years and continues to raise the bar with its innovative game controls. Twilight Princess is a prime example of the quality people should expect when experiencing a new Zelda adventure. Controlling Link with the new Nintendo Wii remote has never been so satisfying. When you have a chance to try the new map system, precision aiming, and swordplay will you then understand why it feels so amazing.

The series has always featured the ability to view your location on a map and help aid your navigation through fairly large worlds. Being able to zoom in and out on multiple levels may not seem like a new feature, though when you point and click to where you want to zoom in, any other control mechanism will seem prehistoric. When you are fully zoomed in, simply press and hold the A button and drag the map around with your hand. Guaranteed you will actually look forward to using your new navigation system when adventuring through Hyrule.

Projectile weapons such as the boomerang, hookshot, and bow and arrow all feature one thing in common, speed and precision. Relying on your own reaction time and physical aiming, this is where the men are separated from the boys. Engage your new boomerang and point and click on a maximum of five different objects of your liking. When you release it will travel and hit the objects in the order that you’ve specified. Use the hookshot by physically aiming at what you want to hit and pull, or where you want to grapple yourself to. When you’re in an intense battle whether on horseback or foot, you can use your bow and arrow to quickly destroy enemies as fast as you physically can. Hold down the A button to pull back an arrow, point with the Wii remote and release to fire. Not only will you be able to feel your actions with force feedback you can hear sounds of the items your using coming from the remote itself.

The sword has always been Link’s first and most reliable weapon during battle. When you’re approaching an enemy simply gesture the Wii remote as if you were slashing a sword and Link will unsheathe his weapon. Hold down the Z button on the Wii nunchuck attachment to lock onto the enemy in question. Use the joystick to move around and press the A button to jump for extreme maneuverability. Throughout the game you will learn to utilize many different combinations of movements to actually use the sword. The experience is like nothing else and you’ll never look back.

Not only are these news features required in successfully completing this adventure, you’ll have an amazing time using the new controls in the process. Experience the new map system by moving it around with your hand. Use precise aiming to destroy enemies as fast as you physically can, always leaving you room for improvement. Feel as if you are actually Link by wielding his sword just as you always wanted to. The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess is a breath of fresh air for gamers, where having innovative ways to control a gaming experience has taken a turn for the better. I wish the best of luck to Nintendo and have faith that the next-gen version of The Legend of Zelda will continue to raise the bar.