Tears of the Kingdom is now a skateboarding game, thanks to clever players

polygon.com:

Watch out Tony Hawk, Link is coming for your crown. In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, players have found a way to take shield surfing to the next level and make it more like a skateboarding game. The game just came out on Friday, but players are already shredding in Hyrule by rail grinding and creating unique shields with Link’s Fuse ability.

Link can shield surf in both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. When he does, he’ll ride his shield sort of like a snowboard and cruise down slopes. Now, with Link’s new Fuse ability in Tears of the Kingdom, players are creating new kinds of shields. The Fuse ability allows Link to combine two items together to create a new kind of shield using miscellaneous objects in the world.

For example, players have now discovered that you can combine your shield with a mine cart in order to get a clunky-looking skateboard.

Did you know you can make a SKATEBOARD in TOTK? #zelda #tearsofthekingdom #totk

Additionally, the larger world contains new features in the landscape, like rails. Generally speaking, it’s probably easier to use the rails with a minecart or a contraption with a hook. However, players are now using their makeshift skateboards to rail grind, and bringing Sonic-esque gameplay to Zelda.

The Legend of Tony Hawk: Pro Skater #Zelda #tearsofthekingdom #totk #tonyhawk

If, like me, you immediately wanted to try for yourself, here is how to do it with the standard controls. First, you’ll want to go to the top of a hill or spot with a decent decline, because it’s easiest to do it downhill.

Hold ZL on your controller to wield your shield. While you continue to hold ZL, jump with X and then hit A while Link is still in the air. Link will then flip the shield