Product Description

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks DS

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20 in Video Games
• Brand: Nintendo
• Model: NTRPBKIE
• Published on: 2009-12
• Released on: 2009-12-07
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Platform: Nintendo DS
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .63" h x 5.38" w x 5.09" l, .28 pounds

Features

• Helpful interactive map functionality that players can draw notes on the using the stylus that allows players to quickly mark spots in the game world for later exploration, or to note them as already explored.
• A whole new adventure in the Legend of Zelda series set in the years following the events of The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.
• Links new AI ally, The Phantom (from the previous game in the series), whose bulk and immunities to dangerous elements like fire and magma, make him valuable in combat and in subterranean lava-filled levels.
• New propulsion and problem-solving game mechanics through Link's new in-game train which he uses as transport, and must be maneuvered and utilized to deal with obstacles.
• New in-game items and weapons like the Whirlwind, which Link uses to move items and overturn enemies, a whip, useful both in combat and in platforming, as well as his train's cannon, which can shoot bombs into the distance.

Amazon.com Product Description

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is an action/adventure game for the Nintendo DS and DSi that sets Link, the iconic hero of the Legend of Zelda series, on a daring new adventure. The game provides players with a new story, more puzzles, a new mode of transportation--by train--and a new companion in combat, the Phantom. Together these offer up new possibilities for problem-solving, adventure and fun to both longtime and new fans of the franchise alike. Propulsion and Problem-solving One of the most prominent features of The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is the ability to travel by rail throughout the game. When Link conducts the train, players enjoy a satisfying combination of action and real-time puzzle solving as they determine which track to take and how to best manipulate their speed. When on the train, Link must plot the best route to the end of the line around ever-moving obstacles. While en route, Link might need to fire an onboard cannon at enemies who attack the train or sound the whistle to scare animals off the tracks. New adventure, a new means of transport, and a new companion. View larger. The Phantom In The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Link has a valuable new companion in combat and puzzle-solving, the Phantom. A faceless knight in a hulking suit of armor with immunities to dangerous elements like fire and magma, the Phantom responds to Link's directional commands. Players can simply tap the Phantom with their stylus to take command of him, then draw a line on the touch screen to direct him where to go. He will engage enemies automatically when he comes within range of them. The stout Phantom can also be used as a platform to carry Link above and over dangers, or even run interference to block Link from harm or help finish off an enemy. New In-game Items Spirit Tracks also introduces a variety of new items and weapons to The Legend of Zelda franchise. One of the most notable is the Whirlwind, which Link uses to move items and overturn enemies. Players activate this by blowing into the microphone of the Nintendo DS or Nintendo DSi system. Other new items include a whip, useful both in combat and in platforming, as well as his train's cannon, which can shoot bombs into the distance. Map Functionality As with The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, in Spirit Tracks players can look forward to helpful interactive map functionality. The game map appears on the system's top screen, as opposed to the action on the bottom, and players can draw notes on the in-game maps using the stylus on the touch screen. This allows players to quickly mark spots in the game world of note for later exploration, or to note them as already explored. Screenshots: New train transport. View larger. Phantom functionality. View larger. Impressive boss battles. View larger. Easy to use maps. View larger.

Customer Reviews

Zelda is back-and better.
Phantom Hourglass, for me, was a disappointment. I found it to be EXTREMELY repetitive because you had to go back to the same dungeon after every mission and solve the same puzzles over and over again.

Luckily, Spirit Tracks removes this problem, because every time you go back to the "Spirit Tower", you have to solve a different level(or floor) of the tower.

There is no button control scheme, but the stylus controls work fine.

Graphics are REALLY nice. Your jaw will drop when you see some of the bosses.

Train rides are a bit monotonous, especially when you have to travel all over the place.

Puzzles are entertaining as always, and Spirit Tacks is "different" because you have a Phantom helper at some points in the game.

Overall, an enjoyable way to kill, say, 20-30 hours. Also, there are new weapons in this game; certainly an improvement. I am absolutely sure this game will sell like hotcakes for the holiday season.

Note: If your planning on this as a gift, your target audience should be 10+. Some puzzles are fairly challenging, make sure to take note of that.

Another Great Addition to the Series
I had my expectations set pretty low for this game, Link using a train didn't seem to appeal to me. Also, Phantom Hourglass was a disappointment to me so I was expecting a bit more disappointment.
When I put Spirit Tracks in my DS I was actually surprised on how good the game was. So I'll split everything up.

Movement:
The stylus movements are a bit more refined so it seems to read it easier than Phantom Hourglass, you don't find yourself stopping when you get too close to the edge of the screen. It's also a bit easier to roll, this can be a problem or can be an advantage for you.

Items: There are the usual items, the sword, the bow and arrow, boomerang, and bombs. Then new items are the Whip and Fan. The whip is very easy to use, the fan can be a pain at first since you have to blow into the microphone but it becomes second nature after awhile. Your new main item is the Spirit Flute, it's great for them to add in the DS Microphone but if your DS is old, it can be an issue picking up when your blowing into it or not, but other than that the new items are a great addition to the series.

Graphics:
Not much to say, they are the same as Phantom Hourglass, maybe a tad better.

Gameplay:
Now this is where this game shines over Phantom Hourglass, The train can be a bit tedious after awhile, but there are a very shortcuts to help along. A new feature is the control of a second character, this only comes into play in the Tower of Spirits, Zelda is able to take control a Phantom when you have 3 Tears of Light. This makes some puzzles very interesting and can be very entertaining when you see a large suit of armor cowering over a little mouse. Other than that Zelda takes the role of a helping character, such as Navi or Ceila. Your main source of transportation is the train of course.

Overall the game is very good, If you were disappointed in Phantom Hourglass then you wont be disappointed in Spirit Tracks. Even if you haven't played a Zelda game, this would be a great game to start.

Better than I though it would be!
-Nostalgic Section- (you may skip to main review if you want)

I've been playing Zelda games since the SNES Link to the Past, which was also my first game ever. Zelda sure has evolved over the years! Even with the exciting changes, it still retains what made it a hit in the beginning, with its dungeon and over-world exploring, along with several weapons, secrets, etc.

When I first saw Windwaker for GC, I actually wasn't interested (well, I didn't have a GC for one, but I saw toon Link steering a boat and thought, "what have they done??") Years later I got a GC and a friend let me borrow the game, and I was hooked from beginning to end! I loved toon Link and the humor of the dialogue, he's just too cute NOT to like! Plus, it still retained what made the other games great.

-Main Review-

(Even though I haven't beaten the game, I don't think you have to beat something to be able to review it. I'm reviewing it's enjoyability.)

I posted all that above because when I saw pictures of toon Link conducting a train, I face-palmed and thought, "what are they THINKING?" Well, I should have learned my lesson from earlier and believed in Nintendo...this game is amazing! I even woke up this morning and played for a few minutes before heading downstairs. I would be playing it right now if I didn't have errands. I really thought the train idea would bomb, but bought it because when I saw the trailer, the game still looked fun and I did enjoy Phantom Hourglass. They've added several elements to the train idea to make it fun. Obstacles include animals on the tracks or coming at you, possessed trains to avoid, and there are signs on the sides every now-and-then that I think mean something but I haven't gotten far enough to figure out what to do yet. Another great element, Zelda is your companion throughout the game! You don't see her once or twice like the other games, she actually helps you! And she's cute and funny too. Oh, and your new instrument this time around is really cool too.

All in all, it's a new Zelda, but still awesome as always. This series never disappoints!