They might seem tricky at first (really tricky), but after practice they'll become second nature! Here's a run down...
Normal Play:
Z Button - As nearly everyone knows, this is the "attention button." Get close to an object, whatever it may be, and tap Z and the camera will be placed over Link's shoulders. The main use for this is fighting enemies and bosse. Now you can strafe around the creature, advance, retreat and what-not without losing sight of your oppenent. This feature will most likely be copied in some way or another in future games (even if they're for a system other than the N64).
A Button - This button has dozens upon dozens of uses. If you're next to a door, it will open the door. If you're near a person, it will start the conversation. If you're near a ladder, it will make Link climb it. Near some stairs and it will force link to climb them. If you stand against a treasure chest it will read open...you get the idea. The action it will be used for in the particular situation is at the top of the screen.
B Button - Use this to unsheathe your sword. And if it already is out of the sheathe, then you can use this button to do all kinds of neat things! Press it once to slash, a few times at once to a double slash, etc...Hold it down to do a helicopter slash that can kill enemies around you...all kinds of neato moves! :) Press down on the stick and B and you will do a forward slash. Pretty useful for when you're fighting!
R Button - Use this to whip out the ol'e shield! The way Link holds it depends on the shield you have equipped. You can not move while the shield is drawn except when in the fighting mode (locked on to an enemy, to be sure, check for letter-boxes and Navi flying over a targetted enemy). But you can still face different directions!
L Button - Turns off the transparent map. The map will only showed explored areas...unexplored areas are shown in black. The yellow arrow is you, and the red one is where you entered the area.
Analog Stick - Naturally, this is the way you move. The harder you push the faster he goes, etc...This must be used with the "Auto-Jump Feature." Sure, I was skeptical myself on how this would work. But believe me everyone, this works perfectly and allows you to concentrate on playing the game instead of timing jumps that are crucual to surviving...Simply run at a gap and Link will jump over it automatically. Run slowly at something and he'll climb down. If it's too long a fall he will climb back up.
Left C, Right C, Down C - On the menu, you can assign what button you want it to do. There are more weapons and items than C buttons, so you might need to do this a lot. Hitting the button once will draw it, the second time will lay it/fire it/whatever.
Up C - Camera controls...sorta. It will zoom out in open spaces to give you a better look and make the camera go overhead inside houses. You really shouldn't need it that much. When locked on to an enemy this will make Navi give you some (vague) hints along with the name.
Start - Naturally, this is the pause button. But there are a lot of things to do at the menu! There are four screens, showing all sorts of things. Spiritual Stones, Medallions, Armor, Weapons, etc...This is where you can configure what weapon goes on what C button and this is also the only place where you can save! When you get more weapons than C buttons (which won't take long) then this will be a regularly visited place.
Moves To Do With The Sword:
Vertical Arc - Press Z a and B together and Link will swing the sword in front of in a downward arc.
Stabbing - While in Battle Mode (holding Z that is) press up on the control stick and B to cause Link to stab forward.
Swinging - Hold B and Link will swing his sword around. Finding a certain item (magic meter) will allow you to do a helicopter slash like this!
Jump & Slash - While in Battle Mode (holding Z, again) press the A button to do a jump & slash move. This move is quite potent, and is useful for killing baddies in the air.
Defense Moves:
Roll - While running, press A to do a roll. Not all that useful, but it's there if you need it.
Backflip - While in Battle Mode (...holding Z...) press back on the control stick and A to do a backflip, which is useful for backing up from attack.
Side Jump - Press left/right on the control stick and A while in Battle Mode (...) to jump left/right.
Walking w/Shield - While in Battle Mode (!!) you can walk with the shield by pressing R and holding Z NOTE: Can not attack during this time.
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