A huge amount of information has recently come flooding forth from behind Nintendo's closed doors regarding The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, greatly expanding on what we already know about Link's latest - and chronologically earliest - adventure.

In the opening setting of Skyward Sword, Zelda and Link are childhood friends and classmates in their home town of Skyloft, floating high above the clouds. The story begins on the day before an anticipated bird-flying contest in which Link has entered. The grand prize of this contest is an invitation to a special ceremony with Zelda as their date for the event.

Here we're introduced to several characters:

• Groose is the resident bully in town and Link's personal enemy. He's always been jealous of the special bond Link shares with Zelda, and plots to beat Link in the upcoming contest.
• Gaepora is Zelda's father and the knowledgeable headmaster at Link and Zelda's school. He studies the history and legends of Skyloft. His name is strikingly similar to that of Kaepora Gaebora from Ocarina of Time; could Ocarina's blabbermouth owl mentor have any relation?
• Fi has been revealed as the sword-like figure from the game's concept art and trailers. She is the spiritual essence of the Goddess Sword, guiding Link on a journey that leads him towards the creation of the Master Sword. 

Once Link inevitably leaves Skyloft and lands in Hyrule far below, he finds himself searching for a missing Zelda in Faron Woods, a location first seen in Twilight Princess. As the Skyloft people have never known anything but their humble existence in the clouds, this is a very new experience for Link. The first area he must locate is the Skyview Temple, where Zelda may be held captive.

A few of Link's new abilities have been revealed as well. By holding the A button, Link can now Dash for a limited time, with the use of a new stamina meter. While dashing, Link can temporarily run up walls to grab ledges, and perform various other acrobatic moves. Certain strong attacks will also drain some of Link's stamina, and if it completely runs out his movement is slowed for a moment while he recovers. 

A new race of creatures named the Kikwis, a tribe of animals resembling Kiwi fruit, have been identified as cute, fuzzy creatures that aid Link on his search for Zelda. They must be unearthed via the use of dowsing, one of Link's other new abilities.

When dowsing, Link holds his sword out straight and the player will get visual and audio feedback as they point at various targets. This ability aids Link in uncovering secret items and characters, as well as locating and tracking Zelda's aura once he reaches the Skyview Temple.

Finally, the Slingshot from the trailers has been officially confirmed as one of the first items Link obtains in the game, being controlled using Wii MotionPlus.

More details have been promised to be revealed soon, and NWR will be right here to give you the lowdown.