The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi)
common sense media says
Daring adventure with inventive puzzles, trains, heroism.
parents & educators say
- 50% say there are positive role models
- 50% say there are positive messages
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that The Legend of Zelda: Spirits Tracks is an adventure game with a great heroic story and challenging puzzles. It is the 15th installment in the beloved Zelda series of games, but you don't need to have played any of the earlier ones to enjoy this one. The game has some fantasy violence involving the use of a sword, a whip, bombs, a whirlwind, and a boomerang, but most creatures when hit, simply blink out of existence. And you can just avoid some of the troublesome creatures instead of fighting them. Some of the bigger "boss" creatures are somewhat scary and can be difficult to defeat. The game offers a limited multiplayer mode where up to four players can play using one game card.
Educational value:
You must use logic to figure out the numerous puzzles found in your environment.
Positive role models:
Link is an unassuming boy who has just earned his train engineering degree. But when asked to help Princess Zelda and defeat evil, he doesn't hesitate to become the hero. Princess Zelda, in spirit form, also is brave and actively participates in the dangerous quests. This is no princess who just waits around to be rescued.
Ease of play:
All play is done using the Nintendo DS stylus which makes controlling Link easy. You can also direct Princess Zelda when she inhabits powerful Phantom characters by drawing out a path for her to follow. The game also offers up to four players a head-to-head find the gems competition via local wireless connection using one game card.
Violence:
Fantasy violence in terms of defeating little creatures who attack you and deplete your life points. You play as Link, and he can use a sword, a whip, a boomerang, bombs, and a whirlwind to defeat his enemies. Usually a quick conk with his sword will make the creatures disappear without any bloodshed. You may hear an occasional whimper of pain. But, if you choose, you can frequently just avoid the pesky creatures. The boss battles are more intense and require creativity in using the weapons at your disposal.
Sex:
Not applicable.
Language:
Not applicable.
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Not applicable.
More on The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
Screenshots
Review It
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
- 50% say there are positive role models
- 50% say there are positive messages
Most useful reviews by all members
9001
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Wonderful game that I just recently beat. On for 11+, iffy for ages 8-10.
This game is even better than The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, and that's saying a lot, because Phantom Hourglass was 5 stars also. However, parents should understand that this latest installment in the Zelda series comes with scarier enemies and more violence than Phantom Hourglass, mainly in the boss battles, especially in the Final Boss. The Final Boss may scare young children. Depending on your child, this game may be appropriate for them as young as 8, but it may be too hard for them. I'm 13, and one part close to the end of the storyline took me around 2-3 hours with a walkthrough to beat; this game may be appropriate for young children, but it may be too hard for them.
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smartwatcher
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
This is a really good game. I got it recently and it really had me hooked. The plot is good, too. The main character Link has to defeat an evil chancellor who poses as a human in the beginning of the game, as well as his cohort, an evil, ninja-looking alien who casts off humans as worthless. The spiritual idea of the game is a bit questionable, and the antagonists of the story are trying to resurrect a powerful demon who is bound to the ground by train tracks. The story is very creative, though, and the touch screen control is pretty easy. The puzzles are excellent. I love to figure them out, but it sort of depends on the child. Some kids may get frustrated by the puzzles. Personally, I own many puzzle games and I love solving them. I'm also an action gamer, so this game is perfect for me.
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Airlocke
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
Sweetness!!
This is a great video game! Loved it! You gotta play it! It's pretty fun! :) very similar to phantom hourglass! :)
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jaidely
parent of 10 year old
parent of 10 year old
9 and up to 20 in ages
i lov it and hate it because there is a little bit of an saftey issue and violent issue. i like it because it has good education andpositive messages it has good role models and its easy to play.
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JadeBunnie
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Entertaining, Challenging Game
I have to say, that this is one of my favorite DS games of all time! Being a hardcore gamer, I easily beat many games in a few days. However, Zelda was a challenge that I was eager to take on! The controls are easy, since it's mainly touch screen, and also incorporates the mic. I didn't think the violence was too scary, but some younger players might find the "Demon Train" or the main antagonist "Malladus" a bit frightening. When enemies are defeated, nothing is shown except a poof. However, there are snow wolves particularly in the Snow Realm that, when defeated, give a shrill yelp that made me a little uneasy. This is an easy problem to fix if you think it would bother you or your child, just turn off the volume! The characters are cute and loyal, plus the plot is set up so once you defeat the main boss, there is still more to the game! Overall Awesome!!!!!!!!!!
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adblaka
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
EASY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This game is easy
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awsomegamer
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
fun game
the only reason i think its too violent is because if you kill some red little monster, something red spreads which might be a few dots of blood
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kimchibun
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Great, Fun, VERY appropriate in almost all ways
The only reason kids younger than nine shouldn't play is because they couldn't finish it.
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linkwarior5
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
Great game! Not bad!
Wow.. cant believe ESRB rated it 10+! Wow, its like wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass its not bad. It is a great Zelda game, too! Its not that violent!
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RoronoaZoro9
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
My father rented this game for me and just like I got addicted to Kingdom Hearts, I got addicted to this game too .
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pie or pie
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
yay
my best freind has panthom hour glass (the first on this is the sequel) and i beat i loved it too and i love puzzels in games i heard theres more puzzels and this one is better than the first cant wait to buy it on 7 and up
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Mr. Lovewell
adult
adult
Save the world with Link and Zelda!
This is a nice game. I've had it for two years and still play it to this day! The story is perfect, and the fact that the leading female in the game joins you to help save the world is an added bonus. I have seen countless games where Buff, invincible Men wielded huge guns and swords and slew thousands of enemies in a blaze of gunfire or swings. Zelda, the series' lead female character, breaks this mold and fights with you to help out! Use your sword, Boomerang, and other weapons to bring justice to a world threatened by darkness! Are you alone? No. You're some kid with a cool train and a nice girl by your side. Score one for Nintendo. Keep it up, guys.
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OJBDGirl
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Really cool
It was awesome and made you think
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cammy48
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
the best Zelda so far!
The violence has no blood or gore. Although the boss battle can be a little scary for younger kids, when the boss is destroyed it turns to stone and blows up. You defeat small pests. Wolfos and the bublins cry in pain, but overall the violence is not bad. The controls are easy. The puzzles need good thinking and may be to much for some kids. The language is limited to a few uses of fool and one or two cruds. Overall: 10+
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StarZero
adult
adult
I found the DS Zelda titles rather disapointing-the stylus is at best, an imperfect tool, and gets worse on a DS that's seen use. Also, the DS titles brag having multiple commands for the map and such, but you can't play without a stylus. In any case, it's good for what it is-but not up to snuff compared with Zelda's comsole titles.
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mooselbell
parent of 12 year old
parent of 12 year old
Great game to use for reward time
My son has really enjoyed playing this game. He received it for Christmas along with the book. It is nice that we can give him 30 minutes of video game time and he can accomplish a task and save. Other games are much more involved and complicated that we can not work them into a reward system. He has really enjoyed the challenge of the tasks in this game.
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Overobssesedtw ...
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
Awesome Game
This game is great for kids age 7 and up! A lot of parents have at least played one Zelda game!! I haven't been able to put it down!! Completely awesome game! I highly recommend it!!! Game ON!!
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