Nine.  I was nine years old when Link came into my life.  It’s weird to think that 23 years ago, Nintendo created The Legend Of Zelda series.

My parents have always been fantastic about keeping up with the latest technology and so we had the first Zelda to ever come out.  I guess I’ve always been a gamer girl, I just didn’t realize it because it’s been in my life for so long.

I didn’t like too many different games, because I hate to lose and some of them just annoyed me but I remember spending HOURS playing Zelda, helping Link rescue Princess Zelda.  Here’s a fun fact – The name of the princess was inspired by Zelda Fitzgerald: “Zelda was the name of the wife of the famous novelist Francis Scott Fitzgerald. She was a famous and beautiful woman from all accounts, and I liked the sound of her name. So I took the liberty of using her name for the very first Zelda title,” Miyamoto (it’s creator) explained.

Now that I’m the parent, I make sure I keep myself and my family up to date with the latest technology, and I am a devoted Nintendo player.  Wii, DS, DSi- we have them all.  I love it so much I even co-founded The Wii Mommies website!

I have a house full of boys so when The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks arrived at my doorstep, everyone was freaking out wanting first dibs to play.  Well nee-ner nee-ner, I’m the reviewer so I get to go first.

I LOVE that there is a lot of stylus play.  I’ve never much liked pressing buttons when I play games, which is why I love all the Nintendo products in my home.

The sequel to the DS game The Phantom Hourglass, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is everything Zelda fans hoped it would be.  It’s easy to understand so people new to the series will understand it but compelling enough to ensure that life-long Zelda fans will still enjoy the game.

One of the coolest features is the Whirlwind, which players activate by blowing into the microphone of the Nintendo DS or Nintendo DSi system.  For example, the spirit flute in this game responds to blowing in the mic, making you feel like you are actually playing the instrument which is a great way to keep my 4 year olds attention while playing.  I like that I can sit with my kids and watch the story unfold as we solve puzzles and pull the whistle on the train.

Here are some game highlights, provided to me from Nintendo-

All Aboard for an Amazing New Adventure
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks sets hero Linkâ„¢ on a daring new adventure. The game provides players with a new story, more puzzles and even a new mode of transportation. In this game, Link voyages by train, which offers up new possibilities for problem-solving. The game has the same look and feel established in the hit Nintendo DS game The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.

FEATURES:

• Link has a valuable new companion. While navigating dungeons, he’s accompanied by a Phantom, a hulking suit of armor that responds to his commands. Players can tap the Phantom to take command of him, then draw a line on the touch screen to direct him where to go. The stout Phantom can walk through fire or lava, be used as a platform to carry Link above dangers, or even run interference to block Link from harm.
• When Link conducts the train, players enjoy a satisfying combination of action and real-time puzzle solving as they determine which track to take and how to best manipulate their speed. When on the train, Link must plot the best route to the end of the line around ever-moving obstacles. While en route, Link might need to fire an onboard cannon at enemies who attack the train or sound the whistle to scare animals off the tracks.
• Link uses a variety of new items and weapons, including the Whirlwind, which players activate by blowing into the microphone of the Nintendo DS or Nintendo DSiâ„¢ system.
• As with The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, players can draw notes on the in-game maps using the stylus on the touch screen.

Overall, I’d say this game is an absolute winner.  The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is the 15th game in this internationally renowned series. Since its inception in 1986, more than 59 million games in The Legend of Zelda series have been sold worldwide.  It’s a series I grew up with and now a series I can enjoy with my children.

For more information about The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, visit www.zelda.com/spirittracks.