GDC 2009: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Trailer Impressions

We take a look at the brand-new trailer for the latest DS Zelda game.

A new entry in the Zelda franchise has been rumored for some time, so it was only a mild surprise today when Nintendo unveiled that it is, in fact, working on Link's next adventure. What did create a stir, though, is that this is not a new Wii game. The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks follows on the heels of the hugely popular DS game Phantom Hourglass, and though details are sparse at this time, Nintendo has released a trailer that shows off a few of the new features. There is one concrete bit of information that is sure to delight eager fans, though: Spirit Tracks is set to come out later this year.

The cel-shaded art style from Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass returns in Spirit Tracks. Although Nintendo has not confirmed where this falls in the Zelda timeline, it appears as though this is a sequel to Phantom Hourglass. If true, this would be the first time a Zelda storyline has continued for three straight games. We'll have to wait for Nintendo to fill us in on the plot details, but at the very least, this is an aesthetical sequel that seems to be every bit as charming as the games that preceded it.

As the name implies, Link has now ditched the boat that allowed him to traverse the globe in Phantom Hourglass in favor of a train. In Phantom Hourglass, you were able to draw your course on a map and set sail in the open seas, but things look a little different now that you're restricted to rails. It appears as if the tracks are already laid out across this land and you are able to switch between routes on the fly. Link has always had the ability to travel across the countryside as he wishes--either by walking, riding a horse, or setting sail. It will be interesting to see how things will change if he has to follow the preset tracks the whole time.

Link is decked out in a fancy conductor hat to showcase his newfound vocation, and there are a number of other tiny details as well. When you come to a new set of tracks, a switcher will briefly appear on the touch screen, allowing you to stay the course or move over to a new path. There is also another meter, vertically oriented, that appears to control your speed. It's impossible to know if fuel will be a concern at this point, but there are plenty of hearty trees lining the countryside. A whistle string dangles tauntingly above your head, begging to be tugged to make the world know of Link's newly discovered love of the rail.

Luckily, Link's magic train is armed with a cannon, so any enemy who stupidly wanders near your locomotive will meet a quick end. Like in Phantom Hourglass, it appears as though your aiming is controlled on the touch screen, letting you quickly point at whatever foe dares to cross your path. At one point in the trailer, a skulltula dangles menacingly above the tracks and Link is all too happy to blast it from its sticky throne. At another point, a herd of animals that look like pigs but have the markings of a dairy cow meander in a nearby field, but Link has decided to play the humanitarian and keep these docile creatures alive.

When Link reluctantly leaves his steam-powered hobby, he battles baddies in the same way as in Phantom Hourglass. A new weapon is showcased in the trailer that looks like a pinwheel gun. You can shoot out a miniature cyclone that can stun enemies and grab nearby keys. During another shot, it's clear that Link still has a boomerang in his repertoire. Given that the pinwheel gun is performing many of the tasks the boomerang was accustomed to, it will be interesting to see what new role the boomerang has. Another weapon lets you control the giant metal guards who frequently tormented you in the last game. Actually, you had this ability in Phantom Hourglass as well, but it was restricted to the multiplayer. Here, you can direct the golem to cross fiery paths to flip previously inaccessible switches or battle an enemy while you run away in fear.

Finally, the two-screen boss battles from Phantom Hourglass are making a triumphant return. In the only battle showcased, you square off against a monstrous scarab beetle that has a forked horn sprouting menacingly from his head. Those tough exoskeletons only protect the back of these overgrown insects, though, so Link can slash away at their glowing weak spot by flipping them upside down. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long before Nintendo reveals more information, but at least we'll have to wait only a few more months before the final game comes out. Spirit Tracks is scheduled for release later this year.

295 Comments

  • stilts214

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 9:47 am GMT

    To contradict my earlier statement, the ARE in fact working on a wii-specific Zelda game. However, it will most likely run off of wii motion plus, making it sotra like the wii dragon quest games which didnt work out very well at all. Here's hoping OnLive does everything it says it does

  • darksega50

    Posted Aug 11, 2009 8:13 am GMT

    A New Adventure With our Favorite little Adventurer!!
    Looks Great, gave me goosebumps

  • bjm1995

    Posted Jul 1, 2009 1:18 pm GMT

    hope it isn't for the dsi only I didn't get one

  • somethin112

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 8:33 am GMT

    Looks like hes bout to be a delivery boy

  • Blisteringidiot

    Posted May 27, 2009 10:41 pm GMT

    Hmm. I dunno I hope it's as good as the last DS Zelda. Time will tell I guess.

  • 2w-sephiroth

    Posted May 24, 2009 1:33 am GMT

    We need a "real" Zelda on the wii. This spirit tracks makes me shake. Gives us a Zelda that we can rock and roll.

  • electro57

    Posted May 11, 2009 8:06 am GMT

    Maybe they should concentrate on a Zelda game that actually breaks from the standard 'rescue the princess while blowing flutes and playing with bottled fairies' for once.

  • stilts214

    Posted May 8, 2009 7:18 pm GMT

    but if they arent working on a wii game, Zelda is now dead.

  • Cursednavi

    Posted May 6, 2009 8:50 pm GMT

    E3 is june 2nd to june 4th

  • Darkriku666

    Posted May 6, 2009 4:35 pm GMT

    ya'know they're probably working on a wii game, just be patient, we'll probably get more info about this and info about a wii zelda game during E3

    That said, I can't seem to remember when E3 is, anybody care to help me freshen my memory

  • stilts214

    Posted May 5, 2009 5:12 pm GMT

    Also, we have to remember the Miyamoto said that "[twilight princess] will be the last zelda game of its kind" does that mean that this is where one of the greatest franchises ever made is headed? The rest of zelda could be, as xxRJxx said, damn handheld crap.

  • stilts214

    Posted May 5, 2009 5:07 pm GMT

    Ok... how low can they go? Raise your hand if you think nintendo has hit rock bottom,,, hopefully onlive will save nintendo from itself :\

  • xxRJxx

    Posted May 4, 2009 11:42 am GMT

    i want a wii version. damn handheld crap

  • Dante200X

    Posted May 3, 2009 1:49 am GMT

    battousai611 said:The Cube version may have released first, but Nintendo was also releasing a LoZ game pretty close to a brand frickin new console. Sounds like an intense business strategy...

    Actually the Wii version was released first (for some unknown reason). And yes, TP on the wii was a port. The game was specifically delayed from being released on the gc at the time so they could put the motion controls (and flip the game) for the wii version. But IMO, that was a total doosh move on their part to put a so called exclusive, new LoZ game that was supposed to be on the gc onto the wii BEFORE the system is was designed for....
    It was bad enough that suddenly they were porting it to the wii but it somehow came out before the gamecube one. I just wonder "WTF?" any time I think of that. It was a nice business strategy for them and the wii, but it was pretty lame IMO...I hope no other company ever does that again with a high profile game.

  • Darkriku666

    Posted May 2, 2009 7:02 pm GMT

    Just something I want to add in real fast for who say that the train doesn't fit into history

    1: It's a fantasy game

    2: The past zelda games had even more mechanical stuff in them, like in the GBC game, those blade things that would follow you around

  • battousai611

    Posted Apr 30, 2009 11:37 pm GMT

    Actually, Zake's right... The Wii version was a port. They were working on the Cube version of Twilight Princess long before the Wii version. The Wii version was flipped from the original so it could match the way the majority of players would use the Wiimote. The Cube version may have released first, but Nintendo was also releasing a LoZ game pretty close to a brand frickin new console. Sounds like an intense business strategy...

  • mini_mario

    Posted Apr 27, 2009 10:07 pm GMT

    thought about it.

    actually, im convinced. what you'll do...

    It'll be... Pretty Un-Pretty.

  • Darkriku666

    Posted Apr 27, 2009 6:41 pm GMT

    Actually Zakedestiny, you can't really call the Wii game a port on account that it came out before the gamecube game

    Also, they are probably working on a Wii game, I predict an announcement at E3 infact

  • Zakedestiny

    Posted Apr 27, 2009 7:45 am GMT

    Also, if this game is only DSi compatible, I'm going to... well... I'm not entirely sure but it won't be pretty and will probably involve monkeys, a sausage, and a cheese grater. ...think about it for a minute...

  • Zakedestiny

    Posted Apr 27, 2009 7:33 am GMT

    Is it really too much to ask for a console Zelda game any time soon? I love me some Phantom Hourglass as much as the next guy, but the real treasures of the series are the ones for the main consoles. Twilight Princess was a frickin' amazing game, I loved it, but it was really just a port of a Gamecube game. I want to see what the Zelda team can do with a fully dedicated game for the Wii. Instead we get two cell-shaded Zelda games in a row for the DS. I'm sure Spirit Tracks will be a blast, just like Hourglass, but I can't be the only one here who's just the tiniest bit irked that they seem more excited to be making the DS games than the Wii ones. Give me some awesome console Zelda, please!