Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword swinging in 2011

LOS ANGELES--At the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo, Nintendo did not much more than tease that the Wii would be getting a second installment in the Legend of Zelda franchise. This year, though, the publisher led its E3 press conference with the first public demo for Link's newest action adventure, in the process definitively announcing Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will arrive in 2011.

Nintendo's live demo of Skyward Sword was offered by none other than franchise creator Shigeru Miyamoto. Joined by Nintendo marketing executive Bill Trinen onstage, Miyamoto showed how the new Zelda will integrate with the Wii's motion-sensing scheme, with the Wii Remote doubling as a sword and the nunchuk serving as a shield. Foes confronted and vanquished during the demo included carnivorous plants, disembodied eyeballs, and orcish creatures.

Beyond Link's hallmark sword and board, Miyamoto also showed off a number of other weapons in Link's arsenal, including a slingshot, bow and arrow, bomb, and whip. Of the whip, players have precise control over its direction, thanks in part to the game's integration with the Wii's precision-enhancing MotionPlus add-on.

The demo also introduced the beetle, which flies off Link's wrist like a falcon, and players have a limited time to guide it around the level, scouting areas or picking up items.

Before ending his demo, Miyamoto noted that Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will be available for play on the E3 show floor. As such, stay tuned to GameSpot for a more in-depth look at the game.