Preview by: Jeff McAllister

Last week, I was given the opportunity in downtown Toronto to check out a hands-on preview of the upcoming Nintendo DS title, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks courtesy of the folks at Nintendo.

The game is reminiscent of 2007’s The Phantom Hourglass in that the graphics are very similar with the same cartoony style and that Link is controlled using the stylus, while the map of the area is shown on the upper screen. I started my adventure, tracing the stylus across the screen, attacking those unfortunate to get in my path and picking up bombs and collecting rupees.

As the Nintendo representative came around to explain the story, it turns out that in the land of New Hyrule, Chancellor Cole has stolen the body of Zelda in an effort to use her as a vessel for the Demon King, which is on his way to being resurrected. In his effort to steal Zelda’s body, her spirit fled and found Link. As I made my way to the Spirit Tower, a one-closed eye guide named Anjean, informs me that I must travel across New Hyrule to bring back the Spirit Tracks that have disappeared across the land to keep the Demon King in his prison.

While Link is worried about being able to take on the adventure himself, Anjean tells him that the spirit of Zelda should go with you, which quickly becomes apparent just how useful she can be. Along the way, Link and Zelda run into the familiar Phantoms and when it looks like its game over for Link, Zelda jumps into the Phantom’s body and is then able to use his form. As Zelda occupies the Phantom’s body, the stylus can be used to make the Phantom move and perform actions that Link cannot Tracing a line from the Phantom to a switch or an item will cause the Phantom to walk there and activate it, while you can then switch characters back to Link and continue past the obstruction.

Link is not totally useless however as he can still use several attacks on foes, aside from stabbing Phantoms in the back. Circling the stylus around will cause Link to spin in a circle, slashing at all the foes around him, and a whirlwind, which is activated by blowing into the DSi microphone. While traversing the tower, you can bring up the map using the stylus and write notes on it to leave yourself memos and tidbits of information as a reminder.

Eventually I found myself in control of the train that is used to traverse the land once the tracks have started to become exposed. Operating the train is as simple as using the stylus to control a throttle on the side of the screen and even allows you to pull a rope to let the whistle blow. In time, you will be able to use it for more than just travelling from place to place as the outside of destinations can be just as dangerous as inside. As you arrive at different locations Link and Zelda will encounter more enemies, more friends and uncover more tracks to continue on the journey to recover Zelda’s body and to save the land of New Hyrule from the Chancellor and the rise of the Demon King.

For those who can’t wait to join Link and Zelda in another adventure, you won’t have long to wait. Get your stylus hand warmed up and look for Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks to arrive on time in a couple weeks on December 7th.