GDC09: Train your eyes on 'The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks'

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Mar 25th 2009 at 1:34PM }

Zelda more like Celda news now, with the return of Nintendo's favorite saucer-eyed adventurer in a new DS game. According to some very brief footage shown during Nintendo GDC 2009 keynote, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (tentative title) sees cel-shaded Link ditching boats and single-horsepower vehicles for a train. Considering said train is also equipped with a cannon, we think it's safe to call this the franchise's first on-rails shooter.

It's due to be released later this year, if you can believe that.

Gallery: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Tags: celda, gdc-2009, legend-of-zelda, legend-of-zelda-spirit-tracks, spirit-tracks, zelda

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Uncontrol @ Mar 25th 2009 1:36PM

fool me once (phantom hourglass), shame on you
fool me twice (this crap), shame on me

samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Mar 25th 2009 1:41PM

Wind Waker: "WAAAH! WE WANT A REAL OCARINA ZELDA SEQUEL! BITCH BITCH BITCH!"

Twilight Princess: "THIS IS TOO MUCH LIKE OCARINA! WAAAH! BITCH!"

Spirit Tracks: "THIS IS TOO DIFFERENT! WHY ISN'T IT LIKE THE OTHER ZELDAS?! WAAAAH BITCH BITCH BITCH!"

Uncontrol @ Mar 25th 2009 1:44PM

sorry bro i thought wind waker (and majora's mask for that matter) were awesome but hey i suppose it's easier to declare any criticism as "WAHHH BIIIIITCH" right?

samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Mar 25th 2009 1:48PM

You are whining and bitching. You've seen a couple random shots from a TV screen. Do you want me to rephrase how you're whining and bitching in different terms? I suppose I could.

tmacairjordan87 @ Mar 25th 2009 1:49PM

"it's easier to declare any criticism as "WAHHH BIIIIITCH" right?"

Don't worry it's the typical nintendo fanboy response when bad news happens. It's like an automated response by now.

Everyone wanted a new wii zelda and they gave you this. It's perfectly ok to be upset.

Uncontrol @ Mar 25th 2009 1:53PM

It's not whining and bitching, it's legitimate criticism. Granted, we have very little to go on right now but I'm not liking what I see, and after feeling effectively robbed by my purchase of Phantom Hourglass, I won't be buying this.

Of course, the hardcore Nintendo-loyal are always quick to decry any criticism of Nintendo (even some as mild as mine) as effectively heresy, but most of us have figured out the direction Nintendo is headed in and have already decided how we feel about it. So frankly, it's a little ridiculous of you to engage in this internet argument bullshit decrying criticism as "WAHHH BITCH QQ MOAR NUB" (I'm paraphrasing here) when you've proven yourself to be capable of a bit more eloquence than that (when you're not saying creepy things about naked Peach).

I love my DS, and I think the Wii had some decent ideas that suffers from poor execution and a bit too much pandering. Nintendo is using a financially successful business model -- nobody can argue that -- but each individual has the right to have a different opinion about it and to decide whether or not they want to be a part of it. I didn't like TP, I hated PH, and I doubt I will feel any better about this game. So just learn to accept the rather fair opinions of others rather than, ironically, acting like a baby about it.

samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Mar 25th 2009 1:54PM

Don't worry, tmac. It applies to you, too. The one who always whines, "Zelda is always the same" and then ridicules it when it's different.

Of course, no one around here takes anything you say seriously anyway, so I suppose I just wasted about 10 seconds typing this response to you.

SoulBlade @ Mar 25th 2009 1:56PM

I think the WAHH BITCH comes from the majority of people who have this disdain for Nintendo and wouldn't really like any news from them. I mean come on now tmacairjordanjamescarterbryant2093842, you're one of the biggest Nintentrolls on this site - you really think you wouldn't have trolled if they did announce a Zelda Wii? You would have easily found something to bitch about or stupid to say about it.

Some people didn't like Phantom Hourglass - but a lot of people loved it, and I've wanted a followup to it for a while. Looking forward to it.

tmacairjordan87 @ Mar 25th 2009 1:59PM

I would have much preferred a new wii zelda, even if it's the same thing again, to another boring handheld release.

Uncontrol @ Mar 25th 2009 1:59PM

tmac i would ask you to please refrain from agreeing with me, i don't want to be dragged down into the cesspool that you're in

samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Mar 25th 2009 2:05PM

You're entitled to your opinion, Uncontrol. But you're dismissing the game out of hand and calling it crap, despite knowing almost nothing about it. That's a rather trollish thing for you to say, if nothing else.
I have no problems with you disliking Phantom Hourglass. I completely understand why you probably didn't like it. But could YOU not also have been a tad more eloquent about it?

Uncontrol @ Mar 25th 2009 2:06PM

i didn't expect anyone to take my comment so seriously tbh

Bissy Boy (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 25th 2009 2:13PM

EDIT: There are ways to disagree with someone that do not involve this kind of vulgarity.

Mister Bogus (Mr. ESC) @ Mar 25th 2009 2:22PM

In his favor Phantom Hourglass Was boring.

I stopped by the final quarter of the game because going through the temple everytime you progress stops being funny after a while and the lack of fast traveling makes sailing a chore.Also that there isn't many places to explore outside the main story line.

The lack of variety killed the game plus if you know what to do is also very short.

Too bad because the boss fights are still fun to play.

(Haven't played TP though it is still on 90$ here so I'll wait until it reaches 50$)

Mike @ Mar 25th 2009 2:34PM

You need to control yourself and stop bitching.

B @ Mar 25th 2009 2:43PM

I really liked Wind Waker, Twilight Princess was a big, "oh, whatever, it's more zelda" and phantom hourglass was "wtf is this shit, my wrist is squeeling in pain"

Mr Khan @ Mar 25th 2009 3:32PM

No, samfish's response was appropriate. Whatever Nintendo does, somebody's going to bitch about it. samfish was merely making that observation in a pointed way.

CantFlame (PSN MariusElijah) @ Mar 25th 2009 3:37PM

I hate this kind of crap whenever someone disagrees they are claim as fanboys who just hate for no reason, even though he has a legitimate OPINION, all yall Nintendo fanboys need calm down just cuz Nintendo disappointed you once again

In A World (XBL) @ Mar 25th 2009 7:39PM

"Whatever Nintendo does, somebody's going to bitch about it"

Correction: whatever *anybody* does (or doesn't do... or says or doesn't say) somebody's going to bitch about it. Bioshock needs widescreen, Ocarina of Time shouldn't be 3D, Sonic Adventure is a Mario 64 clone, Wii is just 4 SNESeses electrical-taped together, Ninjas are dumb, Mass Effect has a stupid inventory, RE5 is RE4, RE4 ISN'T RE1,2,3, Wind Waker is for babies, babies are a financial burden for teenage mothers, Twilight Princess 2 would've been better on Dreamcast 2 cuz of the sword controller, I like cheese... look, the point is: I don't know what the point is.

Quattro @ Mar 25th 2009 8:27PM

I think its perfectly fine to say you don't like the game before playing it. For me, I hated Phantom Hourglass. The biggest thing I didn't like about, was the controls. Are you going to somehow tell me that this game doesn't control like the predecessor with the touch screen? Of course not. This is why it's perfectly fair for me to form the opinion that I don't like the game before playing it.

bm @ Mar 25th 2009 8:41PM

"the lack of fast traveling"

You gotta be shitting me. Play the game properly, then come back and whine.

"and phantom hourglass was "wtf is this shit, my wrist is squeeling in pain""

lol oh wow. You have serious problems, how the fuck does does anyone hurt their wrists playing a fully one-handed DS game?

mr mobius @ Mar 25th 2009 8:58PM

Your inbox is cursing you now...

tmacairjordan87 @ Mar 25th 2009 1:37PM

Well, you guys asked for new zelda and you got new zelda hahahahaha.

errdayimhustln @ Mar 25th 2009 1:40PM

i lol'd hard

SoulBlade @ Mar 25th 2009 1:43PM

yea im laughing with joy too.

Levi (God Hand Defense Force) @ Mar 25th 2009 2:42PM

Y'know tmac, there was time here on Joystiq where you made some thoughtful comments and did a good job at sounding rational. Why the hell are you trolling all the god damn time now?

tmacairjordan87 @ Mar 25th 2009 2:46PM

If you can point out I'm wrong, when all you could see before this conference started across the internet was people begging for a new wii zelda then I'll admit I was trolling.

I have my reasons anyway ;)

SoulBlade @ Mar 25th 2009 2:57PM

I just don't know why anybody would expect big things like a new Wii Zelda to come out of GDC... those are generally left for E3. Not sure what internets you were looking at, I certainly didn't see them, but I probably spend a lot less time looking at/trolling gaming sites than others.

samfish (is ready for MadWorld!) @ Mar 25th 2009 3:06PM

"before this conference started across the internet was people begging for a new wii zelda"

heh- and this is different from every Nintendo press conference, like...EVER?

Vegeta (DAT ASS!!!) @ Mar 25th 2009 3:29PM

"I have my reasons anyway"

What you mean there are other reasons besides acting like a 5 year old and having tantrums just because there are people who *gasp* like something that you don't?

Giroro @ Mar 25th 2009 1:37PM

What's with the train gimmick??

Why are their trains in the Zelda universe, this isn't the wild, wild west (or is it?)

dark_inchworm (on Steam!) dark inchworm (on XBL!) @ Mar 25th 2009 1:54PM

"The train" is more than a gimmick, for my sex partners at least.

Dopple Boppler @ Mar 25th 2009 2:07PM

The Legend of Zelda: Back to the Future 3

Erluti @ Mar 25th 2009 2:39PM

@Doppler Bopper

Glad I wasn't the only one thinking it.

phr3qu3ncy441 @ Mar 25th 2009 3:47PM

lol, i was thinking that too... "so does this train serve as a similar function to the ocarina?"

now that'd be kinda cool.

Huey2k2 @ Mar 25th 2009 1:37PM

Ughhhhh....

Uncontrol @ Mar 25th 2009 1:39PM

i'm going to find you and kill you, iwata-san

DangerMouse @ Mar 25th 2009 1:39PM

aww, wtf?

Ample Salty @ Mar 25th 2009 1:41PM

I still have to finish Phantom Hourglass, I just got annoyed revisiting the Temple of the Ocean King over and over and over again.

lasersanchez @ Mar 25th 2009 3:11PM

Did you take any solace in the shortcuts or was I the only one?

Latin_Trident @ Mar 25th 2009 1:40PM

crap...

Josh @ Mar 25th 2009 1:40PM

That's actually really cute!

But where in Celda Link's world is there enough land for all those rail tracks?

Maybe it's not related to TWW/PH?

In any case, me want!

Josh @ Mar 25th 2009 1:45PM

Oh yeah, and Phantom Hourglass was announced at GCD06, so this is pretty cool.

Of course, PH was also announced to be releasing late 2006, but we see what happened there... Hopefully Spirit Tracks is spared of any delays.

T @ Mar 25th 2009 1:41PM

As with my fellow Joystiq commenters, I am able to look at these 9 screenshots and say (without any doubt) that this will be absolutely the worst Zelda game ever. If not the worst game ever period.

Next up, I'll predict how terrible this summer's blockbusters will be based on their teaser posters!

Giroro @ Mar 25th 2009 1:46PM

You, nobody is saying it is the worst Zelda game ever.

It is a terrible IDEA for a Zelda game though. Based on how soon its been since phantom hourglass and how this game appears to use the same engine and interface, the immediate logical conclusion is that this is a quick cash-in.

Plus, I don't remember fanboys asking for a new DS Zelda game, I have heard a lot of people wanting one that is Wii-specific though.