Friday 11 December. It's the date that we've all had circled in our calendars for months. Zelda: Spirit Tracks is finally here, and as you're about to find out, it's ace. Check out our review here if you don't believe me.
Although I played through it while writing the review, I can't wait to go back to it to trawl Hyrule for every last item and finish all the side-quests. What with this and the wondrous New Super Mario Bros. Wii, it's been a brilliant year-end for Nintendo gamers - one of the best that I can remember in fact. All that post-E3 whinging seems a bit silly now, no?
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To celebrate Spirit Tracks arrival, I thought it'd be a good opportunity to take a look back at the franchise and pick our favourites.
Mine's a slightly controversial choice. It's certainly a flawed game but the Zelda title that I have the fondest memories of is undoubtedly The Wind Waker. Those gorgeous visuals, the brilliant dungeons, the free-wheeling exploration, the liveliest cast of Zelda characters ever... what a game. Sure, it was a little short and there was some tedious padding towards the end, but at its best, this was the most sublime Zelda adventuring in the series.
Still it's tough to pick just one game. I've loved them all. Link's Awakening is another highlight for me - being my entry point into the franchise, Ocarina Of Time obviously was breathtaking too and I've got a lot of love for The Minish Cap as well.
There are a couple I didn't enjoy quite as much (heresy alert!). It seems like the hip stance to take to hail Majora's Mask as a series highpoint. Sorry, it just didn't do it for me. Sure, the story was great but the time limits drove me round the bend and the Great Bay Temple boss fight is absolutely the worst set-piece in the franchise's history. Phantom Hourglass bugged me too. I can't tell you how glad I am that Nintendo have ditched the Temple Of The Ocean King structure for Spirit Tracks.
Anyway, let the arguments begin. Let me know your series highs and lows below.
