Skyward Sword to Feature Multiple HUD Options

Do you suffer from chronic memory issues and need a constant reminder of what buttons do? Are you a hardcore minimalist who wants the bare minimum of clutter on your screen? Whatever your preference, Nintendo has got you covered, as IGN has revealed that The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will feature multiple heads-up display options to fine-tune your experience.

Now, before all you World of Warcraft UI modification enthusiasts start getting excited, be aware that the HUD options are pretty basic.  The options menu presents the player with a choice between the “Standard,” “Light,” and “Pro” settings.

“Standard” looks like what you’ve seen in screenshots so far, keeping large controller silhouettes on the sides of the screen to show all potential commands. “Light” will still prompt you for button inputs, but only when contextually appropriate. And “pro” strips the HUD down to its barest essentials, leaving a player’s life, rupees, shield power and stamina intact while dedicating the rest of the screen to the action.

While this might not seem like a major enhancement, it is evidence that Nintendo – whose games are somewhat notorious for their lack of customization – is at least listening to the needs of their core audience who don’t necessarily need a constant reminder regarding button inputs. With less of the screen taken up by clutter, it will be nice to experience Hyrule from an unimpeded, cinematic perspective.