The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks announced for DS(i) later in 2009

25 March 2009

Posted by:Josh

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks was announced by Satoru Iwata at the Game Developers Conference 2009. The game will be released later this year.

Nothing is known about the title but a brief video clip did show Link riding a locomotive with what seemed to be a steam cannon on the front end. It seemed that Link was “conducting” the train (laying down it’s path via the stylus if I had to guess) and then showed him fighting an owl-like monster.

As for how it plays, the gameplay “Looks like a fairly traditional Zelda portable game, with puzzle dungeons and Phantom Hourglass-style touch mechanics. The train basically works like the boat in PH, running along the overworld (presumably on a rail defined by players). Enemy control mechanics look pretty nice — link distracted a big Zora with a controlled shadow guard, then snuck around to hit it from behind,” reports the 1UP liveblog of the event.

We’ll have to wait and see for more on this new Zelda but it’s great news that at least Nintendo HAS announced a new Zelda game for DSi. I am certain that Miyamoto has come up with some interesting ideas using the DSi’s unique features like the two built-in cameras. Now I wonder if it’ll support DLC via DSiWare . . . .

Update: The trailer for the game has been released below. You can see Link driving the train, which looks like an upgrade of the boat from Phantom Hourglass complete with a shootable cannon. In addition you’ll see Link using a new “windmill-like” leaf weapon which shoots a tornado of wind out.