On the menu screen, I have 4 places, I have 2 potions, and one banded shield. when I press and hold the - button (in the center) and "drag' the remote to the shield, it shows the white line, and promps, release to select, which I do. Then it goes to the description of the object, in this case the banded shield, and I am prompted to select A when done reading, which I do, and it returns to the play screen with no shield. Am I not far enough along to use it here? I should be able to at least use my wooden shield. Which I can't select either. I have saved my game at the point just before I get the upgrade, and I've gone back and tried it again, same result. Am I selecting the item right?
Got it! I was not doing it on the play screen, just on the menu screen. Thank you all for the help! I'm not getting any younger!