The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom players continue to make wild creations with Zonai tech. While some make giant robots, rocket cars, or flying devices, disabled players are discovering new ways to build accessibility into the game.
On Twitter, accessibility specialist LittleNavi shared a video of a Zonai platform equipped with multiple auto-tracking lasers used to defeat numerous enemies. The 1:04 video showcases her attaching her contraption to her horse to drag around Hyrule before activating the weapon to eliminate common monsters and even bosses like the Flame Gleeok.
If anyone needs me, I’m just over here building in-game assistive tech to make combat more accessible in Tears of the Kingdom pic.twitter.com/swqDSHW3GS
— LittleNavi🏳️🌈♿️ (@littlenavi_) June 3, 2023
Responses to her post from other disabled players praised her ingenuity, as well as acknowledged the lack of accessibility features within the game. Without dedicated accessibility options, disabled players are looking to the game’s overall design to seek out accessibility, whether through navigational systems, quest completion, or combat.
In the most recent issue of IGN’s Access Designed, we explored Tears of the Kingdom’s accessibility, noting that its lack of options pose immense barriers to disabled individuals, but the inclusive designs afford unique playstyles for a variety of disabilities. IGN said: “From seasoned fans to newcomers to gaming alike, the simplistic nature of Nintendo and subsequently Zelda titles can appeal to a vast array of people, including disabled individuals.”
LittleNavi’s video demonstrates that accessibility is more than options in menus, and that no game will ever be totally inaccessible to every disabled player.
For more information, as well as several tips and tricks, we have our walkthrough of the game, Skyview Towers locations, and you can read our review, which we gave the game a 10.
Grant Stoner is a freelance writer at IGN.