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IGN » Games » Nintendo DS » Reviews
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (DS)
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The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Review
by Mark Bozon
◄ Previous 1 2


When it comes to general travel and "out of tower" gameplay, Spirit Tracks is a mix of both amazingly inspired, classic Zelda action, and some segments that should have simply been left on the cutting room floor. True statement: The game runs over 25 hours from front to end. Unfortunate reality: A good fifth of that could have been cut out to better pace the experience. Spirit Tracks is never dull, it's never boring, but it does border on monotonous at times, and while there's always strong writing, beautiful music, and new locales to experience, the designers seem to revel in sending you on ping pong quests, bouncing you from location to location to solve otherwise mudane tasks. Want to get to the fire temple? Tough break, kid: there's a lava river in the way. Don't worry, you're just a five minute drive to the ice village where ice can be made to cool the lava. That is, you can make ice after you take somebody from the ice village to the forest where fresh water can be found; don't want to be making dirty ice. Delivered him there? Nice! Come back later and you can get the ice. Go kill some time. Oh, you made it back to the fire world with the ice? Congrats, it's time to move on. Unless you want to do it all over again in a side quest, that is.

Thankfully, while those moments are truly frustrating for seasoned Zelda fans who just want to get from epic dungeon to epic dungeon, those roadblock moments are also few and far between, and the bulk of the experience – especially the back half of the game – is packed full of amazing content. Link's tools themselves are largely responsible for making the experience so fresh and innovative despite all its formulaic inklings, with even returning elements like the boomerang and bow and arrow getting all new gameplay mechanics built around them. There's a bit too much emphasis put on using the microphone – the Spirit Flute uses it very well, while the whirlwind has you constantly blowing at your screens for the first few hours of the game – but even despite that the uses for puzzles and combat alike are great. The new whip is an awesome addition for stealing items from baddies, moving about the world, and executing short-ranged attacks, and the final sand-based tool in the game is simply awesome; we'll keep that spoiler free though.
The train is an integral part of the Spirit Tracks adventure, complete with it's own puzzles, bosses, and side quests.

Also returning this time around is Zelda's multiplayer battle mode, now supporting four players while sacrificing online play via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Unfortunately Four Swords this is not, with gameplay limited to arena-based gem collecting with each player attempting to knock out their opponents with bombs, trap doors, and Phantoms. The game's design is less strategic or in-depth as even Phantom Hourglass's multiplayer though, with no direct control over Phantoms, and no swords for direct combat between players. It's literally a funhouse of traps and power-ups, with no real direct combat or strategy overall. As a nice addition though, it's single card multiplayer, so at least you won't need to track down other players with their Spirit Tracks cart handy. A tag mode is also included, used for trading treasures from player to player, and while it's helpful, it's also an extremely basic addition; simply pick three treasures you want to trade, and swap them with another DS Zelda owner. It's great for getting the treasures you need for upgrading your train, though good luck getting rare items from buddies that are also out to acquire the top upgrades in the game.
Check out the Ocean Temple boss fight in action by clicking above.

And finally, something needs to be said once again for Nintendo's overall presentation, which is simply outstanding. Some tunes are back from Phantom Hourglass, but for the most part you'll find original compositions and some truly inspired tunes, especially when dealing with the Spirit Flute sections of the game. Visuals are again extremely impressive, even pushing the DS a bit further than the previous game with a few new tricks. The storytelling is right on point, the game's final hour or so is a finale of truly epic proportions, and the bond between Link and Zelda has never been stronger; even if the princess does start sounding like a broken record of overly enthusiastic anime girl dialogue. The game has its slow moments, but the total package is hands-down one of the best on the system, and it fires from every aspect of its design.

Closing Comments
When it released two years ago, Phantom Hourglass blew us away with impressive visuals, beautiful music, and a huge world packed with plenty to see and do. What it was missing, however, was some of the hardcore difficulty and classic dungeon puzzles that longtime Zelda fans have come to expect. What a difference two years makes. While Spirit Tracks has some obvious deja vu elements and can drag on from time to time, Nintendo's latest pocket Zelda trumps the first game hands-down, delivering amazing bosses once again, now complemented with impressive dungeons, a truly epic challenge in the Spirit Tower, and a substantially longer adventure overall. Nintendo fans now have two must-play Zelda offerings on DS, as Spirit Tracks is an adventure not to be missed. Pick it up. You won't be disappointed.
IGN Ratings for The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (DS)
Rating Description See Our Glorious Home Theater Setup!
out of 10 click here for ratings guideGet Ratings Information
9.5 Presentation
The majority of visual and storytelling elements are brought back from Phantom Hourglass, but that doesn't make them any less impressive.
10 Graphics
Once again one of the best visual offerings on the system, going above and beyond what the previous Zelda was capable of.
9.0 Sound
Repeat tunes are a letdown, but the new compositions are well done, and more than make up it. The Sprit Flute pieces should have replaced everything else; simply stunning.
9.0 Gameplay
The dungeons are incredible, bosses unparalleled, and while the pacing isn't always consistent it's one heck of an experience.
9.0 Lasting Appeal
Multiplayer is a letdown, and there are some artificially lengthened segments, but the dungeons, bosses, and tools will make this one impossible to put down.
9.3
Outstanding OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average) See All Award Recipients

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Over-rated I`m afraid. It`s worth an 8... 8.5 at a push. It`s a great game, but not *as great* as LTTP, OOT, etc. Take this review score with a grain of salt (just like NSMBWiis a while back)... again, that was great but not as great as MarioWorld & Mario3.
This & NSMBWii are (imo) top/best games *of the last year or so* - but they`re not hitting the quality highs of yesteryear & pale in comparison to what they were in previous iterations (& no, that`s not just nostalgia talking either) - I`m a massive lifelong fan of Nintendo - but there seems to be a slight quality dilution @ Nintendo HQ. [-] Minimize Comment
Over-rated I`m afraid. It`s worth an 8... 8.5 at a push. It`s a great game, but not *as great* as LTTP, OOT, etc. Take this review score with a grain of salt (just like NSMBWiis a while back)... again, that was great but not as great as MarioWorld & Mario3.
This & NSMBWii are (imo)... [+] Full Comment
Posted by: dadiomouse on December 07, 2009 20:32 PDT
Report Abuse
Sweet. I'll pick one up this week. It'll join my list of games to play through (along with Uncharted 1 & 2, Metal Gear Solid 4, God of War Collection, Assassin's Creed 2, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, and Metroid Prime Trilogy. lol). I hope the new Zelda for Wii will be better than every previous Zelda game. Scratch that. I hope they delay it. And bring it to a new Wii HD system because I'm tired of Nintendo's graphics. I want to play Zelda built for a powerful video game system. And I'm NOT talking about with Toon Link (his games were good, but I will always prefer Adult Link). [-] Minimize Comment
Sweet. I'll pick one up this week. It'll join my list of games to play through (along with Uncharted 1 & 2, Metal Gear Solid 4, God of War Collection, Assassin's Creed 2, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, and Metroid Prime Trilogy. lol). I hope the new Zelda for Wii will be better than every previous... [+] Full Comment
Posted by: bmhit1991 on December 07, 2009 20:20 PDT
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Uhhhh most Nintendo consoles actually HAVE had two (or more) Zelda games.

GameBoy Color
-Link's Awakening DX
-Oracle of Ages
-Oracle of Seasons

GameBoy Advance
-The Minish Cap
-Four Swords

DS
-Phantom Hourglass
-Spirit Tracks

NES
-LoZ
-Adventure of

N64
-Ocarina of Time
-Majora's Mask

GameCube
-Four Swords Adventures
-Wind Waker

Wii
-Twilight Princess
-Upcoming Zelda game [-] Minimize Comment
Uhhhh most Nintendo consoles actually HAVE had two (or more) Zelda games.

GameBoy Color
-Link's Awakening DX
-Oracle of Ages
-Oracle of Seasons

GameBoy Advance
-The Minish Cap
-Four Swords

DS
... [+] Full Comment
Posted by: ItsOnlyCarlyle on December 07, 2009 20:17 PDT
Report Abuse
Good call, spooty.
I liked Majora and Ocarina is among my favorite games of all time, how could he forget?
Good call, spooty.
I liked Majora and Ocarina is among my favorite games of all time, how could he forget?...
Posted by: Speded222 on December 07, 2009 20:09 PDT
Report Abuse
a good review, mark, but you forgot that the n64 had ocarina of time and majora's mask.
a good review, mark, but you forgot that the n64 had ocarina of time and majora's mask....
Posted by: spooty89 on December 07, 2009 19:55 PDT
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Connections for The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (DS)
Popular games in this genre:
1. Assassin's Creed II (X360)
2. Super Paper Mario (Wii)
3. Borderlands (X360)
4. Assassin's Creed II (The Master Assassin's Edition) (X360)
5. Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition (Wii)

Popular games on this platform:
1. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
2. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
3. Pokemon Diamond Version (DS)
4. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (DS)
5. Pokemon Platinum Version (DS)



» Visit Legend of Zelda Message board


The Legend Of Zelda Board Off-Topic Thread: Terminian Tranquility Edition
Board post by link223. Last activity December 07, 2009 20:33 PDT
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Review
Board post by Bot-IGN. Last activity December 07, 2009 20:32 PDT
Killing the Postman
Board post by TwilightMarkedRaven. Last activity December 07, 2009 20:27 PDT
How do YOU pronounce "Hylian"
Board post by bruno192. Last activity December 07, 2009 20:26 PDT
Soo.... about Spirit Tracks...
Board post by ThePunkLoser. Last activity December 07, 2009 20:16 PDT


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Published by: Nintendo
Developed by: Nintendo
Genre: Action Adventure
Release Date:
US: December 7, 2009
Japan: TBA 2009
Europe: December 11, 2009
Australia: December 10, 2009
MSRP: $34.99

ESRB Content Descriptors: Mild Fantasy Violence
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Ratings for The Legend of Zelda: Spirit...
9.3
Outstanding
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8.0
61 ratings | 1 reader reviews
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8.7
9 press ratings
Not yet ranked -- see 2892 rated DS games
9.3
Outstanding
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