Crossbow (Weapon)
From Zelda Wiki.org
The crossbow is a ranged weapon featured exclusively in Link's Crossbow Training, a spin-off of Twilight Princess. It's design is similar to the Wii Zapper, with which Link's Crossbow Training is packaged in North America. The rear grip represents the Nunchuck, the blue crystal represents the Wii Remote's A button, and the barrel slot resembles the Remote's infrared sensor. This resemblance is likely both a homage to the Zapper, and to give the player the illusion of holding the crossbow in the real world.
Initially, the weapon is a standard single-shot bow that can be zoomed in with the Z button. Holding down the trigger will "charge" the bolt to gift it an explosive effect akin to a Bomb Arrow. However, picking up a power-up will cause the crossbow to enter rapid fire mode, in which holding down the trigger will result in many bolts firing in quick succession, similar to a sub-machine gun.
The crossbow differs from it's real-world counterpart in several ways- for example, bolts seem to be loaded internally, based on the existence of a barrel. The rear grip is slightly different in design from a real weapon of it's kind, and the front grip is an entirely original feature. These two things likely exist to emulate the appearance of the Wii Zapper. Despite the fact that pressing the Zapper's Z button zooms the sight in-game, there appear to be no such controls on the crossbow's grip; unsurprising, given the comparatively low level of technology in the Zelda universe. It is unlikely that the blue gem serves any purpose aside from aesthetic decoration, as it's real-world counterpart, the A button, is unable to be pressed when using the Wii Zapper peripheral. One can assume that there is a trigger mechanism on the underside of the fore grip, as with the Zapper, but if so, it cannot be observed. On a real-world crossbow, the firing trigger would be located on the rear grip.
The crossbow itself appears to be made of carved and polished wood in two pieces (the main body and bow portions). It is painted with decorative designs in gold and purple.
