Adventure in the desert awaits Link in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for Wii

4 November 2011 – Zelda fans, we've reached November, and that means the countdown to the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for Wii has officially begun! If you can't wait until the game launches on 18 November, check out Iwata Asks: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, watch a special video on your Nintendo 3DS or read fresh updates on Link's greatest adventure yet!

Following last week’s unveiling of new information about the Fire Sanctuary area of the game, this week Link journeys through the Lanayru Desert where he must find his way through the puzzles in the Lanayru Mining Facility, sail across a sea of sand and discover new items to add to his collection.  Newly-revealed game elements include the following:

• Lanayru Desert and the Lanayru Mining Facility: In this vast area, surrounded in all directions by a sea of sand, Link must search for the Lanayru Mining Facility. As strange a place as this is, Link will encounter characters both new and familiar, such as Gorons. Inside the Lanayru Mining Facility, Link will encounter mine carts containing Timeshift Stones, experiencing new puzzles and challenges. He must also face the dungeon boss Moldarach, a fearsome giant scorpion. 

• Sandship: Later in his quest, Link returns to a different area of the Lanayru Desert as he sails across a sea of sand in search of a ship.

• New Items: In the desert, Link will receive two new items – the Clawshots and the Gust Bellows. The Clawshots allow players to grapple and pull themselves towards otherwise unreachable areas. The Gust Bellows can blow out a burst of air which can stun enemies and clear paths through piles of sand. Players will find the Gust Bellows essential to solving the puzzles in the Lanayru Mining Facility.

Nintendo will continue to provide fans with select details and information about the game prior to its 18th November launch across Europe.

This week Nintendo 3DS owners will also have the chance to watch on Nintendo Video a special 3D video of The Legend of Zelda Main Theme Melody which was performed as part of The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony performances. Keep an eye out as additional special clips will be made available via SpotPass for Nintendo Video in the near future. 

Also keep an eye out today on the Nintendo Channel and www.nintendo.co.uk/skywardsword to check out an exclusive video of Robin Williams and daughter Zelda Williams enjoying The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is now available for pre-order as a limited edition bundle, featuring a copy of the game, a CD featuring selected orchestral arrangements from the The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony performance and a rare gold-coloured Wii Remote Plus controller bearing the Hylian Crest. Pre-order* now to avoid disappointment and to secure your copy.

For more information and videos about The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword visit www.nintendo.co.uk/skywardsword

For more information about The Legend of Zelda visit Nintendo UK's The Legend of Zelda Hub at www.nintendo.co.uk/zelda

For more information on The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary visit www.zelda25th.co.uk

*Stocks are limited and the limited edition bundle will mainly be available to fans who pre-order from GAME or Amazon. It is possible that part of the stock will be available at retail following the pre-order period. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword can be pre-ordered with or without a Wii Remote Plus, but players will need either a Wii Remote Plus, or Wii Remote and Wii MotionPlus accessory to play.