Set over a century later than "The Legend of Zelda: the Phantom Hourglass," "Spirit Tracks" continues the Wind Waker storyline. This title is part of the iconic video game series created by Shigeru Miyamoto. "The Legend of Zelda" story line has become a franchise rooted in innovative game play and storytelling that are known for engaging the player. "The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks" for the Nintendo DS has its roots in its predecessor, "The Phantom Hourglass." However, this game also stands on its own as an outstanding title. Like other games on the DS console, Nintendo requires that players use the touch screen to control game play, attack enemies, and solve puzzles. Navigate Link and Zelda on an adventure to unlock the mysterious Spirit Tower and restore peace and order to the Hyrule Kingdom. In this game, your primary mode of transportation is the spirit train. You have to draw tracks using the stylus as your characters’ means of navigation from one dungeon to another. Watch out, though, nasty spirits and enemies are waiting to board your train. While in previous Legend of Zelda series titles, you are on a quest to rescue Princess Zelda, in this one, Zelda dies early on in the phantom train. The spirit of Zelda appears to you and is able to grant you spirit armor that can assist you as you work through the game. As a game, "The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks" was widely received with enthusiasm and garners high ratings from players. This makes it a very critically acclaimed "Legend of Zelda" games released by Nintendo, placing it in the ranks of classics like "Ocarina of Time." Being able to traverse through the spirit tracks is one of the most unique mechanisms of created by Nintendo. Moving your stylus across the bottom of the screen lays down tracks. Your characters can then ride those tracks to other locations or to intersect with others. Nintendo does a fantastic job of keeping the action of riding the rails from location to location exciting and interesting. In addition to random encounters, you can blow the train’s horn to move livestock from the tracks or blast away debris with your cannon. It would not be one of the Legend games without fierce battles and fleshed-out characters. Along the way, phantom trains will board the tracks and attempt to destroy your own train. Join Link as he searches to solve the mystery of the spirit tower and release the princess from its vicious spell. "Spirit Tracks" was one of the last games released for the Nintendo DSI, but is not one to be overlooked. Its unique controls and imaginative story will have you replaying this game time and time again. Don't delay, take control of the phantom trains and rescue the kingdom of New Hyrule before it is too late. This game is compatible with both the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSI consoles. It can also be downloaded onto the 3DS as a digital download only.
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Nintendo
MPN
NTR-BKIE-USA
UPC
0045496740504, 0827307767968
eBay Product ID (ePID)
72506569
Product Key Features
Platform
Nintendo DS
Video Game Series
The Legend of Zelda Series
Rating
E10+ (Everyone 10+)
Features
Climb aboard for a railway adventure with Link and Zelda Get help from allies and companions to solve puzzles Use your whip to battle enemies and extend your reach Follow the tracks to save the land from a forgott
Not what I expected, but fun and exciting on it's own.
I'm a die hard Zelda fan, so I own almost all of the games and know more or less the storyline they all fit into.
Spirit tracks throws that out the window, because on one side you have the train and the legend of the spirit tracks, which weren't present in and other Zelda game, and an all new bad guy who has never been mentioned before. However in Spirit Tracks there are descendants (the grandchildren to be more specific) of characters from Wind Waker, which occurred 100 years after Ocarina of Time. This left me very confused, you see, and frustrated with the Spirit Tracks storyline.
However, it is a fun game of its own right. For people who don't know the storyline of all the Zelda games strung together, I expect this would be an extremely fun game. For people like me, who know the storyline, well we just have to throw it out the window and ignore it until the game's over.
Travel by train can get a little restrictive, especialy for those of us who are used to roaming around Hyrule field freely, however we are distracted from our restrictions with an array of monsters and other things to blow up with our cannon while in the train.
The actual dungeon crawls are fun, and I must say, WAY better than the Wind Waker ones. While Link's weapons aren't exactly brand-new to the series, they're still fun to use and useful in the dungeon crawls. They make you think, although regrettably they're not that hard to figure out. Figuring out how to move from room to room inside the dungeon makes you stop and think for a moment. The bosses, if you know what to do, aren't at all that hard, but that may just be my Zelda series experience talking.
The game's own inner storyline (taken out of context from all the other Zelda games) is really cool too. It's independent and unique, and really keeps you playing. I've spent several days where I'd start playing early in the afternoon and I wouldn't even look up from the game until close to 1 or 2 in the morning!
All in all, it's a REALLY good stand alone game. It's storyline is unique, the gameplay is immersive, the characters are vast, there are opportunities for ALOT of side quests, and it's just difficult enough to make you feel good whenever you progress.
However (and I'm just speaking for myself here) it's REALLY hard to take a Zelda game seriously when it's in the cell shading (which is why Wind Waker was received so badly compared to Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess I think). And I'm sorry, nintendo, but Spirit Tracks just doesn't seem live up to the Zelda name.
My verdict:
A great game for a stand alone, but not quite up to Zelda snuff. Spirit Tracks gets an 8 out of 10 stars.Read full review
I have yet to find a Zelda game that disappoints me though I'm not a fan of the control scheme. The stylus feels too imprecise for my taste.
The story telling is ok. It is a fun addition to the Zelda lore. I haven't beat the game yet so I don't know if the ending will be disappointing.
My kids (2-year-old twin boy and girl) enjoy riding the train and blowing the whistle. They also like that you can draw in the map. You can tell when they've been playing because the entire map of an area will be covered in scribbles.
Not my favorite Zelda game but I'm still enjoying it and it's a wonderful game to hand to a kid during long car rides.
I remember getting a DS lite for Christmas, and this being one of the games that came with it under the tree. I loved the games for the GameCube, so my parents figured this was a safe bet. I loved it. I liked collecting the stamps, catching rabbits, etc. I never beat the game though, before I lost the cartridge.
Years go on, and I hadn't been able to find it at a decent price anywhere. It's expensive. I get that it's out of print at this point, and that it wasn't that hot sell of a game to begin with.
But lo and behold, eBay came in clutch, and now I can actually attempt at finishing this game, lol
At first I was a bit hesitant about this game, seeing as it is, after all, based around trains. But I have to admit, the game is good, and that is only a small portion of it.
You play Link, a young boy who is a Royally Certified Train Engineer, on a quest to reconnect the Spirit Tracks that are disappearing all over the continent. With the help of your spirit guide (Zelda), you team up to battle monsters, defeat bosses, and solve puzzles in the game setting you've come to know and love.
In between battles, you travel around the country from town to town in your train, and can equip it with canons and new gear to help along the way.
The game is controlled by your DS stylus, on the touch pad. It can be aggravating sometimes, but all in all, it's a nice system. You can even control Zelda sometimes, to help achieve your goals.
If you love Link, Zelda, and RPGs, you'll love this game. If not, it's probably not for you.
But don't take my word for it! Try out the adventure yourself!Read full review
I've wanted to play this game for awhile now but never really had the time or chance to until now. Put a good 2 hours in already and I'm in love! Would definitely recommend a headset with a microphone if you're going to use a 3DS though, because Spirit Tracks requires a lot of microphone action. This is a very underrated Zelda title and it's still a wonderful game!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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