Skip to content
Basic Controls
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Basic Controls

Get a grip on the essential buttons and actions in The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. Learn how to move, attack, and interact with the world like a pro!

By ··10 min read·Multi-source verified
1 reading this guide  

Get a grip on the essential buttons and actions in The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. Learn how to move, attack, and interact with the world like a pro!

Alright, let's get you moving in Hyrule! The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds uses a pretty standard set of controls, but there are a few things unique to this game, especially how you'll use items and interact with the world. Think of this as your quick-start guide to actually playing the game.

Here's a rundown of what each button does. You'll get prompts on screen for most of these, but it's good to have a general idea:

ButtonFunction
AThis is your main action button. You'll use it to talk to people, pick things up, open chests, and even merge into walls later on. It's also how you'll dive into the water once you get the Zora's Flippers.
BYour trusty sword slash! This is how you'll defend yourself against most enemies. You'll also use it to swim faster once you have the Zora's Flippers.
XThis button is for using an item. You won't have many items right at the start, but once you start collecting things like bombs or the bow, you'll assign them here.
YJust like X, this is another slot for using an item. You can equip different items to X and Y, giving you quick access to two different tools.
LOnce you get the Pegasus Boots, this button lets you dash! It's super useful for crossing gaps and breaking certain obstacles.
RIf you have a shield equipped, holding down R will raise it. It's your primary way to block incoming attacks.
SELECTPressing SELECT brings up your item menu. This is where you'll manage all the cool gear you find and decide which items to assign to your X and Y buttons.
STARTThis one's pretty standard: START pauses the game. You can also use it to skip cutscenes if you've seen them before.
Touch ScreenDon't forget the touch screen! It's crucial for viewing your map and, most importantly, for selecting and equipping the items you want to use with your X and Y buttons. Make sure you set these up before heading into a tricky situation!

You'll get the hang of these pretty quickly. The game does a good job of reminding you what each button does as you unlock new abilities or items. Just focus on exploring and having fun!

100% Human-Written. AI Fact-Checked. Community Verified. Learn how AntMag verifies content