Beetle

The Hook Beetle model from Skyward Sword.
Beetle
Origin	Lanayru Province
Type	Remote Control Device
Debut	The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

The Beetle is an item that was featured in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and was controlled using the Wiimote's motion controls.

Information

The Beetle is a product of the Lanayru Province's ancient robots. It is a remote control device that was manufactured to resemble the insect that is its namesake. The Beetle can fly freely through the air for a limited amount of time and is primarily used to scout out areas, which is a useful way for one to gain a better sense of their surroundings and to ensure that nothing in the area goes overlooked. The initial model is also useful for activating distant switches, cutting small threads, retrieving small replenishable items (such as hearts and Rupees) and destroying small enemies. The Beetle will shut off and automatically return to the owner with any collected items once the time limit expires, or when the Beetle (or the immobile user) is damaged.

The Beetle has several upgrades, but the first is the only drastic addition and is the only mandatory one. This first upgrade makes the Beetle into a Hook Beetle, which was the most "recent" model made by the ancient civilization.The main addition is a hook on the front of the Beetle which resembles a pair of pincers and makes the Beetle capable of grabbing and carrying certain larger objects such as pots and bombs. This allows the Beetle to carry some objects to the user, and it also increases the Beetle's offensive capabilities as it can grab Bomb Flowers and drop them on enemies.

Link initially finds the Beetle as the treasure of Skyview Temple. It is upgraded to the Hook Beetle during Link's first visit to Lanayru by a grateful LD-301 robot after Link saves it from Bokoblins. Gondo can also upgrade the Beetle twice, into the Quick and then Strong Beetle. These first upgrade makes the Beetle faster, while the second one increases its stamina, which makes it capable of flying for a longer period of time.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• In Hyrule Warriors, the Beetle appears as a badge that can be used to lengthen the duration of the Boomerang power-up.
• The Beetle appeared as an item in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The player uses it by grabbing it and throwing it into the air. This activates it, at which point if flies towards one of the opponents and attempts to quickly sky-lift them out of bounds to KO them. A player caught by the Beetle must shake the control stick to escape. Its appearance is accompanied by a trophy.

Trivia

• The developers initially planned to use the boomerang in the game until they realized that making it free-roaming with the motion controls would undermine the effect of the boomerang. The Beetle was thus created to fill its place.