Controller Buttons
Like every single video game released to date, each game in The Legend of Zelda series is played directly thanks to the controller of the console that supports it. Over the course of the years, certain Controller Buttons have served the same purposes, therefore making Link perform designated actions. Below is a list of the most important buttons (most of them featured on all Nintendo console controllers and handheld systems) for the games and their uses.
A-Button
The A-Button is arguably the most basic and elemental of all buttons, as it served a high number of functions and roles. From the most general perspective, it has acted as an action button. Whenever the button is pressed, Link performs whatever action the button's icon currently indicates. These actions include rolling, opening a door, reading, talking to someone, pulling or pushing objects, throwing or taking objects, etc. When a dialogue is in course, the button helps the text advance; when an option must be taken, pressing the button will take the option that is being highlighted; in some games it can even display item information while an inventory is being navigated.
In all 2D games except for Template:LOZ, Template:AOL, and the original Template:ALTTP, the A Button can be mapped to various items while also serving as an action button. In Template:LOZ, the A Button is used to stab with Link's sword. Unlike in later 2D games, the A Button cannot be reassigned to an item.
During sailing in The Wind Waker HD, the A-Button is used to activate that game's "fast sailing" feature.
B-Button
The B-Button has to date served four major roles in the franchise: In Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, The Wind Waker and the GameCube version of Twilight Princess, this button is used to swing Link's Sword (all other than the Great Fairy's Sword). In Ocarina of Time and the GameCube version of Twilight Princess, it's possible to change which sword to use with the B-Button (this is done through the Equipment menu). In some rare cases, the button does not perform the same attack command. Several Masks from Majora's Mask render Link unable to use his sword, and instead allow him to use a different attack (such as detonating the Blast Mask, or shooting bubbles as Deku Link); also, when playing a minigame, the button might be assigned to another weapon, such as the Bow or Bombs.
In the 2D games, the Wii version of Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword, the button is used for item command. This means Link will use the item equipped from the Inventory every time the button is pressed, however in Skyward Sword - that takes advantage of motion plus technology; this is only if the button is pressed lightly.
When the B-button is held in in Skyward Sword the inventory selection screen is entered. Unlike the item selection in the Wii version of Twilight Princess, this game's control scheme allows Link to select items from the inventory screen in real-time. This was a big accomplishment that would allow item selection without disrupting the gaming experience.[citation needed]
The fourth major purpose relates to menus and dialogues, and in these cases the button acts as a cancel command. If there is an option to perform an action, pressing B will usually be equivalent to pressing A to choose the "No" (or any equivalent) answer. This extends to the usage of an item that switches the perspective to first person, or simply viewing something in first person: Pressing B will switch it back to third person, and any item to be used will be put away.
These four major roles do not apply to Template:LOZ. In this case, the B Button acted as the item usage button.
While in The Wind Waker HD the B-Button is used as the traditional sword button, at sea this button is used to take out or put away the sail.
Analog Stick/Control Stick/Left Analog Stick
The Nintendo 64 controller was the first Nintendo controller with an Analog Stick. This stick was used to control Link with precision. With the GameCube controller the Analog Stick is replaced with the Control Stick, and has the same functionality.
The Wii Remote's Nunchuk includes a single Control Stick.
The Wii U GamePad returns to the GameCube's dual analog stick system, with the two analog sticks at the same "altitude" of the controller. As with previous iterations of the Control Stick, the GamePad's Left Analog Stick moves Link.
C-Buttons/C-Stick/C-Button/Right Analog Stick
There are 4 C-Buttons on the Nintendo 64 controller: Up, Down, Left, Right. In the Nintendo 64 games the Up C-Button is used to switch the perspective from third to first person (and viceversa when it's pressed again), as well as to talk to Link's fairy companions (Navi or Tatl) when either wants to give the young hero advice. The other three buttons can be assigned to items from the inventory, allowing more convenient item usage than in the older games (in which only one item was usable at a time, with the B-button). Thus, to use an item assigned to (for example) the Right C-Button, the player simply has to press Right C.
The GameCube controller replaces the C-Buttons with the C-Stick, which (in both 3D Zelda games for this system) has two functions: Tilting the C-stick adjusts freely the camera perspective; also, when L is pressed to reset the camera position, tilting the C-stick up will switch the camera to first person. Oddly, in Twilight Princess, the camera will shift to first-person view when the C-stick is tilted up regardless of whether the L-button is pressed beforehand.
The Wii Remote's Nunchuk attachment, which serves as the controller's analog stick, also includes a single C-Button. This button is used in Skyward Sword to enter into first-person mode or to dowse.
The Wii U GamePad replaces the C-stick with the Right Analog Stick. This analog stick has the same functionality as the C-stick.
R-Button
In the 3D games, whereas the B Button serves as the attack role, the R Button serves as the defense role. In the Nintendo 64 and GameCube games, Link uses his shield for as long as the player holds the R Button. This evidently won't work if the shield is either lost (see Like Like) or unequipped. In the case of The Wind Waker, the button gains extra functions. For one, Link will only use the shield when he's drawing the sword; when he's not, pressing the button will make him crouch (and crawl if the Control Stick is tilted as well); also, when standing in front of a wall, he carefully moves sideways (sidles) through it. Other actions include dropping an item (A will always throw it), pulling blocks or pushing them.
In the 2D games, R is commonly a dash button. In the SNES and GBA versions of A Link to the Past, Link can run quickly when the button is held. In The Minish Cap, the button makes Link lift objects and roll. In almost all games, R also switches the menu screens by moving to the next menu screen right.
In The Wind Waker HD, the R-Button can be assigned to an item, with ZR becoming the shield button.
X and Y Buttons
With the GameCube controller, two new buttons were added: the X and Y buttons. These buttons are assigned to items in all GameCube Zelda games. In the GameCube and Virtual Console rereleases of Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, the X and Y buttons are mapped to C-left and C-right, respectively. The X and Y buttons keep their functionality in The Wind Waker HD.
Z and L Buttons
Unlike the other buttons, neither Z nor L have had consistent roles through the series. In the Nintendo 64 games and in Skyward Sword, the Z-Button aligns the camera with Link's viewing direction, and targets characters, enemies and objects as well; when the menu screens are displayed, it shifts the menu to the next screen left. In The Wind Waker, the Z-button, along with the X and Y-buttons, are assigned to items; in the GameCube version of Twilight Princess, it makes Link talk with Midna; and in the Wii version of the same game, it serves as both a defense and a targeting command (simultaneously). The L-button, on the other hand, only enables and disables the map in the Nintendo 64 games, but takes the targeting role in the two 3D GameCube games. Also, in A Link to the Past, L opens the Inventory screen and in The Wind Waker, The Minish Cap and the GameCube versions of Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. it shifts the menu to the next screen left.
ZL and ZR Buttons
The Wii U GamePad adds two new buttons to the mix: ZL and ZR. These shoulder buttons act as the L and R-Buttons of older controllers. The buttons marked L and R are now supplementary buttons to ZL and ZR.
The Wind Waker HD uses ZR as the shield button, a function previously taken up by the R-button in older games.
D-Pad
The D-Pad, or directional pad, is used to move Link in all Zelda games before Template:OOT. With Ocarina of Time, the D-pad's original functionality was replaced with the Analog Stick. However, the D-Pad still acts the same as the Analog Stick within menus.
In the GameCube Zelda games, the D-Pad is used to manipulate the on-screen map. Pressing up on the D-Pad brings up a larger map of the surrounding area and, within dungeons, the dungeon map.
The Wii Zelda games assign D-Pad up as a "talk" function with Link's companion, while D-Pad down is used to play an instrument (howling in Twilight Princess, the Goddess Harp in Skyward Sword). Twilight Princess assigns items to the two leftover D-Pad buttons, while in Skyward Sword this function is replaced by the B-Button.
With The Wind Waker HD, the D-Pad is used for functions specific to sailing. D-Pad up is assigned to the Wind Waker.