<s>
The	B-Application
Legend	I-Application
of	I-Application
Zelda	I-Application
:	I-Application
Spirit	I-Application
Tracks	I-Application
is	O
a	O
2009	O
action-adventure	O
game	O
developed	O
and	O
published	O
by	O
Nintendo	O
for	O
the	O
Nintendo	B-Device
DS	I-Device
handheld	B-Application
game	I-Application
console	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
Set	O
a	O
century	O
after	O
The	B-Application
Legend	I-Application
of	I-Application
Zelda	I-Application
:	I-Application
The	I-Application
Wind	I-Application
Waker	I-Application
and	O
its	O
sequel	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
the	O
storyline	O
follows	O
the	O
current	O
incarnations	O
of	O
Link	O
and	O
Princess	O
Zelda	O
as	O
they	O
explore	O
the	O
land	O
of	O
New	O
Hyrule	O
to	O
prevent	O
the	O
awakening	O
of	O
the	O
Demon	O
King	O
Malladus	B-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
Players	O
navigate	O
New	O
Hyrule	O
,	O
completing	O
quests	O
that	O
advance	O
the	O
story	O
and	O
solving	O
environmental	O
and	O
dungeon-based	O
puzzles	O
,	O
many	O
requiring	O
use	O
of	O
the	O
DS	B-Device
's	O
touchscreen	O
and	O
other	O
hardware	O
features	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Production	O
began	O
in	O
2007	O
following	O
the	O
release	O
of	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
with	O
half	O
the	O
team	O
including	O
director	O
Daiki	O
Iwamoto	O
and	O
producer	O
Eiji	O
Aonuma	O
returning	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Originally	O
planned	O
as	O
a	O
quickly-produced	O
sequel	O
similar	O
to	O
Majora	B-Application
's	I-Application
Mask	I-Application
,	O
production	O
lasted	O
two	O
years	O
due	O
to	O
the	O
new	O
features	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
continues	O
its	O
style	O
of	O
gameplay	O
from	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
in	O
which	O
players	O
use	O
the	O
stylus	O
to	O
control	O
Link	O
and	O
use	O
weapons	O
and	O
items	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
game	O
is	O
divided	O
into	O
an	O
overworld	O
,	O
which	O
Link	O
traverses	O
using	O
the	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
,	O
and	O
towns	O
and	O
dungeons	O
which	O
he	O
travels	O
by	O
foot	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Certain	O
items	O
,	O
in	O
particular	O
Zelda	O
's	O
pan	O
flute	O
,	O
require	O
the	O
player	O
to	O
blow	O
into	O
the	O
DS	B-Device
's	O
microphone	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
In	O
the	O
case	O
of	O
the	O
pan	O
flute	O
,	O
completing	O
songs	O
can	O
unlock	O
new	O
magical	O
songs	O
,	O
reveal	O
hidden	O
secrets	O
,	O
heal	O
Link	O
,	O
or	O
restore	O
more	O
of	O
the	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
Unlike	O
The	B-Application
Legend	I-Application
of	I-Application
Zelda	I-Application
:	I-Application
Phantom	I-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
does	O
not	O
feature	O
Nintendo	O
Wi-Fi	O
Connection	O
multiplayer	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
However	O
,	O
up	O
to	O
four	O
players	O
can	O
also	O
play	O
via	O
DS	B-Device
Download	O
Play	O
,	O
using	O
only	O
one	O
game	O
card	O
,	O
and	O
only	O
one	O
game	O
system	O
per	O
player	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
This	O
multiplayer	O
mode	O
is	O
non-canonical	O
,	O
as	O
all	O
four	O
players	O
play	O
as	O
different	O
Links	O
,	O
each	O
with	O
different-colored	O
tunics	B-Application
(	O
a	O
style	O
that	O
was	O
used	O
in	O
The	B-Device
Legend	I-Device
of	I-Device
Zelda	I-Device
:	I-Device
Four	I-Device
Swords	I-Device
Adventures	I-Device
)	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
"	O
Tag	B-Device
Mode	I-Device
"	O
,	O
an	O
item	O
trading	O
system	O
,	O
is	O
also	O
available	O
between	O
local	O
players	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Similarly	O
to	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
features	O
a	O
central	O
dungeon	O
,	O
which	O
uses	O
a	O
spiral	O
staircase	O
to	O
access	O
upper	O
floors	O
instead	O
of	O
having	O
the	O
player	O
traverse	O
the	O
same	O
floors	O
multiple	O
times	O
as	O
in	O
the	O
previous	O
game	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
takes	O
place	O
at	O
the	O
end	O
of	O
the	O
"	O
Adult	O
Timeline	O
"	O
within	O
the	O
Zelda	O
continuity	O
:	O
it	O
takes	O
place	O
a	O
century	O
following	O
the	O
events	O
of	O
The	B-Application
Wind	I-Application
Waker	I-Application
and	O
its	O
direct	O
sequel	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
In	O
the	O
past	O
,	O
the	O
Demon	O
King	O
Malladus	B-Application
engaged	O
in	O
an	O
endless	O
war	O
with	O
the	O
Spirits	O
,	O
who	O
eventually	O
sealed	O
him	O
away	O
using	O
the	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
,	O
train	O
lines	O
stretching	O
across	O
the	O
land	O
,	O
and	O
the	O
Tower	O
of	O
Spirits	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
ceremony	O
is	O
disparaged	O
by	O
Zelda	O
's	O
chancellor	O
Cole	O
,	O
who	O
claims	O
trains	O
are	O
futile	O
as	O
the	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
are	O
vanishing	O
from	O
the	O
land	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Zelda	O
secretly	O
summons	O
Link	O
after	O
the	O
ceremony	O
and	O
he	O
helps	O
her	O
escape	O
the	O
castle	O
to	O
investigate	O
the	O
disappearing	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
When	O
the	O
tracks	O
to	O
the	O
tower	O
vanish	O
mid-journey	O
,	O
Cole	O
,	O
revealing	O
himself	O
as	O
a	O
demon	O
in	O
service	O
to	O
Malladus	B-Application
,	O
steals	O
Zelda	O
's	O
body	O
for	O
Malladus	B-Application
to	O
use	O
as	O
his	O
host	O
with	O
help	O
from	O
his	O
accomplice	O
Byrne	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Cole	O
fragments	O
the	O
Tower	O
of	O
Spirits	O
in	O
an	O
attempt	O
to	O
loosen	O
Malladus	B-Application
 '	O
chains	O
,	O
and	O
the	O
different	O
levels	O
of	O
the	O
tower	O
are	O
suspended	O
in	O
midair	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
She	O
asks	O
Link	O
and	O
Zelda	O
to	O
restore	O
the	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
and	O
the	O
Tower	O
of	O
Spirits	O
to	O
prevent	O
Malladus	B-Application
 '	O
return	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
With	O
the	O
help	O
of	O
the	O
Lokomos	O
,	O
they	O
restore	O
the	O
vanished	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
and	O
most	O
of	O
the	O
Tower	O
of	O
Spirits	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
After	O
fully	O
restoring	O
the	O
Tower	O
and	O
the	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
,	O
Link	O
and	O
Zelda	O
return	O
to	O
the	O
Tower	O
,	O
but	O
are	O
too	O
late	O
to	O
prevent	O
Malladus	B-Application
possessing	O
Zelda	O
's	O
body	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Malladus	B-Application
betrays	O
Byrne	O
and	O
escapes	O
with	O
Cole	O
to	O
the	O
Dark	O
Realm	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Anjean	O
and	O
a	O
now-reformed	O
Byrne	O
direct	O
the	O
two	O
to	O
find	O
two	O
artifacts	O
they	O
will	O
need	O
to	O
find	O
and	O
defeat	O
Cole	O
and	O
Malladus	B-Application
:	O
the	O
Compass	O
and	O
the	O
Bow	O
of	O
Light	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
After	O
retrieving	O
both	O
,	O
Anjean	O
gives	O
Link	O
the	O
Lokomo	O
Sword	O
and	O
joins	O
Link	O
and	O
Zelda	O
as	O
they	O
head	O
for	O
the	O
Dark	O
Realm	O
where	O
Cole	O
and	O
Malladus	B-Application
await	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
In	O
the	O
Dark	O
Realm	O
,	O
Link	O
and	O
Zelda	O
successfully	O
banish	O
Malladus	B-Application
from	O
Zelda	O
's	O
body	O
,	O
and	O
Byrne	O
holds	O
him	O
off	O
to	O
give	O
Zelda	O
the	O
time	O
she	O
needs	O
to	O
repossess	O
her	O
body	O
,	O
losing	O
his	O
life	O
in	O
the	O
process	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
With	O
no	O
other	O
alternatives	O
,	O
Malladus	B-Application
then	O
possesses	O
Cole	O
,	O
but	O
Cole	O
's	O
body	O
is	O
unable	O
to	O
contain	O
Malladus	B-Application
 '	O
spirit	O
for	O
long	O
,	O
and	O
Malladus	B-Application
vows	O
to	O
destroy	O
the	O
world	O
before	O
vanishing	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Link	O
and	O
the	O
restored	O
Zelda	O
work	O
together	O
to	O
defeat	O
Malladus	B-Application
with	O
Zelda	O
's	O
magic	O
,	O
the	O
Bow	O
of	O
Light	O
and	O
the	O
Lokomo	O
Sword	O
,	O
destroying	O
Malladus	B-Application
and	O
Cole	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
With	O
Malladus	B-Application
no	O
longer	O
a	O
threat	O
,	O
Anjean	O
,	O
Byrne	O
's	O
spirit	O
,	O
and	O
the	O
other	O
Lokomos	O
return	O
to	O
the	O
Spirits	O
 '	O
realm	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	B-Application
Legend	I-Application
of	I-Application
Zelda	I-Application
:	I-Application
Spirit	I-Application
Tracks	I-Application
was	O
developed	O
by	O
Nintendo	O
EAD	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
It	O
was	O
developed	O
by	O
one	O
part	O
of	O
the	B-Application
Legend	I-Application
of	I-Application
Zelda	I-Application
team	O
,	O
the	O
other	O
working	O
on	O
Skyward	B-Application
Sword	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
Director	O
Daiki	O
Iwamoto	O
and	O
producer	O
Eiji	O
Aonuma	O
returned	O
from	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
along	O
with	O
half	O
the	O
original	O
staff	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
team	O
were	O
so	O
pleased	O
with	O
the	O
touchscreen	O
design	O
of	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
that	O
they	O
wanted	O
to	O
develop	O
a	O
sequel	O
on	O
the	O
same	O
platform	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Their	O
plan	O
was	O
to	O
produce	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
on	O
a	O
short	O
schedule	O
,	O
similar	O
to	O
Ocarina	B-Application
of	I-Application
Time	I-Application
sequel	O
Majora	B-Application
's	I-Application
Mask	I-Application
,	O
using	O
ideas	O
that	O
had	O
been	O
proposed	O
and	O
not	O
implemented	O
in	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
graphics	O
were	O
chosen	O
,	O
similarly	O
to	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
as	O
a	O
result	O
of	O
the	O
decision	O
that	O
toon	O
shading	O
would	O
be	O
best	O
to	O
deliver	O
the	O
games	O
on	O
their	O
chosen	O
platform	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
concept	O
for	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
came	O
to	O
Aonuma	O
while	O
he	O
was	O
reading	O
a	O
children	O
's	O
book	O
to	O
his	O
son	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Iwamoto	O
felt	O
that	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
should	O
not	O
be	O
too	O
like	O
other	O
Zelda	O
titles	O
,	O
citing	O
an	O
argument	O
that	O
occurred	O
that	O
the	O
train	O
was	O
not	O
a	O
good	O
fit	O
for	O
the	O
series	O
,	O
splitting	O
the	O
staff	O
between	O
those	O
who	O
thought	O
the	O
train	O
should	O
be	O
changed	O
,	O
and	O
those	O
who	O
successfully	O
fought	O
to	O
keep	O
the	O
train	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
Tower	O
of	O
Spirits	O
was	O
originally	O
going	O
to	O
function	O
the	O
same	O
way	O
as	O
the	O
Temple	O
of	O
the	O
Ocean	O
King	O
from	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
requiring	O
the	O
player	O
to	O
climb	O
the	O
tower	O
each	O
time	O
they	O
restore	O
a	O
new	O
floor	O
by	O
going	O
through	O
the	O
tower	O
again	O
from	O
the	O
bottom	O
until	O
they	O
reach	O
it	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Using	O
feedback	O
from	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
the	O
team	O
adjusted	O
the	O
controls	O
so	O
players	O
would	O
find	O
performing	O
Link	O
's	O
actions	O
on	O
the	O
touchscreen	O
easier	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
At	O
an	O
early	O
stage	O
,	O
the	O
team	O
decided	O
to	O
focus	O
on	O
the	O
ability	O
to	O
control	O
and	O
work	O
cooperatively	O
with	O
a	O
Phantom	O
,	O
originally	O
used	O
in	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
as	O
a	O
Wi-Fi	O
battle	O
mode-exclusive	O
character	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
multiplayer	O
was	O
incorporated	O
based	O
on	O
Miyamoto	O
's	O
liking	O
for	O
The	B-Application
Legend	I-Application
of	I-Application
Zelda	I-Application
:	I-Application
Four	I-Application
Swords	I-Application
,	O
wanting	O
something	O
more	O
than	O
the	O
earlier	O
game	O
's	O
battle	O
mode	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
A	O
survey	O
conducted	O
in	O
the	O
United	O
States	O
signified	O
consumers	O
preferred	O
more	O
independent	O
female	O
characters	O
,	O
including	O
Zelda	O
's	O
alter	O
egos	O
Sheik	O
(	O
from	O
Ocarina	B-Application
of	I-Application
Time	I-Application
)	O
and	O
Tetra	O
(	O
from	O
The	B-Application
Wind	I-Application
Waker	I-Application
and	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
)	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Iwamoto	O
expressed	O
an	O
interest	O
in	O
making	O
Zelda	O
"	O
a	O
more	O
integral	O
part	O
"	O
of	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
,	O
in	O
addition	O
to	O
being	O
a	O
more	O
independent	O
character	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Aonuma	O
felt	O
that	O
the	O
inclusion	O
of	O
Zelda	O
as	O
Link	O
's	O
partner	O
in	O
both	O
storyline	O
and	O
gameplay	O
was	O
his	O
favourite	O
part	O
of	O
the	O
game	O
,	O
commenting	O
that	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
highlights	O
her	O
personality	O
and	O
characteristics	O
better	O
than	O
other	O
titles	O
in	O
the	O
series	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
While	O
taking	O
place	O
in	O
the	O
same	O
continuity	O
as	O
Wind	B-Application
Waker	I-Application
and	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
all	O
the	O
characters	O
except	O
supporting	O
character	O
Niko	O
were	O
new	O
;	O
Niko	O
was	O
used	O
to	O
explain	O
the	O
game	O
's	O
history	O
and	O
setting	O
to	O
players	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
team	O
were	O
careful	O
not	O
to	O
focus	O
too	O
much	O
on	O
events	O
from	O
Wind	B-Application
Waker	I-Application
and	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
allowing	O
first-time	O
players	O
to	O
enjoy	O
the	O
game	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
A	O
limited	O
edition	O
tin	O
was	O
released	O
in	O
Europe	O
for	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
When	O
it	O
was	O
revealed	O
,	O
the	O
fan	O
reaction	O
to	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
was	O
stronger	O
than	O
the	O
reaction	O
to	O
the	O
Nintendo	B-Device
DSi	I-Device
reveal	O
beforehand	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
He	O
felt	O
that	O
the	O
gameplay	O
was	O
much	O
like	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
and	O
the	O
plot	O
was	O
enough	O
to	O
get	O
him	O
"	O
jazzed	O
"	O
about	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
IGN	O
's	O
Mark	O
Bozon	O
commented	O
that	O
it	O
had	O
a	O
lot	O
of	O
"	O
déjà	B-Application
vu	I-Application
"	O
as	O
well	O
as	O
several	O
great	O
additions	O
to	O
the	O
series	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
IGN	O
commented	O
that	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
was	O
set	O
to	O
be	O
a	O
"	O
worthy	O
sequel	O
"	O
to	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
In	O
discussing	O
its	O
potential	O
appearance	O
at	O
E3	O
,	O
IGN	O
's	O
Craig	O
Harris	O
felt	O
that	O
if	O
a	O
playable	O
demo	O
was	O
n't	O
featured	O
for	O
it	O
,	O
Nintendo	O
would	O
show	O
an	O
"	O
absolutely	O
epic	O
trailer	O
that	O
will	O
bring	O
fanboys	O
to	O
tears	O
in	O
the	O
same	O
way	O
the	O
company	O
did	O
with	O
Twilight	B-Application
Princess	I-Application
in	O
2004	O
"	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
They	O
awarded	O
it	O
Best	O
Action	O
game	O
for	O
the	O
Nintendo	B-Device
DS	I-Device
at	O
E3	O
2009	O
,	O
as	O
well	O
as	O
runner-up	O
for	O
best	O
DS	B-Device
game	O
E3	O
2009	O
and	O
best	O
handheld	B-Application
game	I-Application
at	O
E3	O
2009	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
GameSpot	O
's	O
Sophia	O
Tong	O
commented	O
that	O
it	O
was	O
"	O
well	O
on	O
its	O
way	O
to	O
being	O
a	O
worthy	O
sequel	O
"	O
to	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
adding	O
that	O
the	O
ability	O
of	O
the	O
characters	O
to	O
"	O
convey	O
the	O
mood	O
"	O
of	O
the	O
game	O
was	O
well-done	O
enough	O
without	O
using	O
voice	O
acting	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
She	O
also	O
praised	O
its	O
improved	O
visuals	O
over	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
In	O
his	O
hands-on	O
of	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
,	O
Eurogamer	O
's	O
Christian	O
Donlan	O
described	O
the	O
train	O
travel	O
as	O
"	O
natural	O
"	O
,	O
calling	O
the	O
railways	O
a	O
"	O
perfect	O
fit	O
"	O
for	O
the	O
cel-shaded	O
world	O
of	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
In	O
his	O
"	O
sneak	O
peek	O
"	O
at	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
,	O
Toronto	O
Suns	O
Steve	O
Tilley	O
called	O
it	O
one	O
of	O
his	O
"	O
must-have	O
"	O
video	O
game	O
for	O
the	O
holidays	O
,	O
calling	O
it	O
both	O
"	O
very	O
Zelda-y	O
"	O
and	O
"	O
very	O
fresh	O
"	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	B-Application
Legend	I-Application
of	I-Application
Zelda	I-Application
:	I-Application
Spirit	I-Application
Tracks	I-Application
received	O
generally	O
positive	O
reception	O
,	O
according	O
to	O
review	B-Application
aggregator	I-Application
Metacritic	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Nintendo	B-Application
Power	I-Application
called	O
it	O
one	O
of	O
the	O
best	O
handheld	B-Application
The	B-Application
Legend	I-Application
of	I-Application
Zelda	I-Application
titles	O
,	O
commenting	O
that	O
fans	O
of	O
the	O
series	O
would	O
get	O
it	O
either	O
way	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Games	O
Master	O
called	O
it	O
"	O
delightful	O
"	O
in	O
spite	O
of	O
how	O
similar	O
it	O
was	O
to	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
IGN	O
's	O
Mark	O
Bozon	O
commented	O
that	O
while	O
it	O
can	O
"	O
drag	O
on	O
from	O
time	O
to	O
time	O
"	O
,	O
praising	O
it	O
as	O
superior	O
to	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
as	O
well	O
as	O
praising	O
it	O
for	O
its	O
bosses	O
,	O
dungeons	O
,	O
and	O
challenge	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
He	O
also	O
called	O
it	O
an	O
exception	O
to	O
the	O
DS	B-Device
 '	O
library	O
in	O
2009	O
,	O
which	O
was	O
otherwise	O
not	O
exciting	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Eurogamer	O
's	O
Oli	O
Welsh	O
called	O
it	O
a	O
"	O
tighter	O
and	O
more	O
rounded	O
game	O
"	O
than	O
both	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
and	O
even	O
"	O
most	O
modern	O
games	O
for	O
grown-up	O
consoles	O
"	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
He	O
adds	O
that	O
the	O
best	O
use	O
of	O
the	O
DS	B-Device
 '	O
controls	O
were	O
its	O
items	O
,	O
specifically	O
citing	O
the	O
Spirit	O
Pipes	O
which	O
make	O
use	O
of	O
the	O
DS	B-Device
's	O
microphone	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Fellow	O
GamesRadar	O
writer	O
Brett	O
Elston	O
praised	O
the	O
overworld	O
theme	O
,	O
commenting	O
that	O
it	O
put	O
him	O
in	O
an	O
"	O
adventurous	O
mindset	O
"	O
,	O
as	O
well	O
as	O
calling	O
it	O
similar	O
to	O
the	O
overworld	O
themes	O
of	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
and	O
The	B-Application
Wind	I-Application
Waker	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
GameTrailers	O
commented	O
that	O
it	O
"	O
addressed	O
the	O
shortcomings	O
"	O
of	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
calling	O
it	O
"	O
one	O
of	O
the	O
better	O
outings	O
in	O
the	O
series	O
"	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Game	O
Informers	O
Andrew	O
Reiner	O
commented	O
that	O
he	O
has	O
not	O
seen	O
a	O
game	O
that	O
"	O
fluctuates	O
between	O
highs	O
and	O
lows	O
as	O
frequently	O
"	O
as	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
However	O
,	O
he	O
criticized	O
Zelda	O
's	O
character	O
,	O
describing	O
her	O
as	O
teenage-angsty	O
Hannah	B-Application
Montana	I-Application
than	O
the	O
calm-yet-troubled	O
princess	O
in	O
previous	O
series	O
iterations	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
In	O
a	O
second	O
opinion	O
,	O
fellow	O
Game	O
Informer	O
staff	O
member	O
Phil	O
Kollar	O
similarly	O
called	O
the	O
game	O
mixed	O
,	O
comparing	O
its	O
reception	O
to	O
the	O
NES	O
video	O
game	O
Zelda	B-Application
II	I-Application
:	I-Application
The	I-Application
Adventure	I-Application
of	I-Application
Link	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
RPG	O
Fan	O
's	O
Kyle	O
E	O
.	O
Miller	O
commented	O
that	O
he	O
went	O
into	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
with	O
"	O
low	O
expectations	O
"	O
,	O
expecting	O
a	O
similar	O
reaction	O
to	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
which	O
he	O
described	O
as	O
"	O
far	O
from	O
amazing	O
"	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
GamePros	O
Aaron	O
Koehn	O
praised	O
it	O
for	O
its	O
use	O
of	O
the	O
DS	B-Device
's	O
capabilities	O
,	O
calling	O
the	O
game	O
's	O
offerings	O
a	O
"	O
deep	O
experience	O
"	O
,	O
but	O
criticized	O
it	O
for	O
taking	O
too	O
long	O
to	O
get	O
going	O
in	O
the	O
beginning	O
and	O
for	O
doing	O
little	O
to	O
differentiate	O
itself	O
from	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
.	O
</s>
<s>
RPGamer	O
's	O
Adriaan	O
den	O
Ouden	O
praised	O
the	O
gameplay	O
,	O
commenting	O
that	O
it	O
was	O
"	O
refined	O
"	O
from	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
;	O
on	O
negative	O
side	O
,	O
he	O
criticized	O
its	O
travel	O
as	O
"	O
slow	O
and	O
tedious	O
"	O
,	O
also	O
calling	O
the	O
side-quests	O
"	O
weak	O
delivery	O
subquests	O
"	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
He	O
called	O
it	O
one	O
of	O
the	O
five	O
best-looking	O
games	O
for	O
the	O
DS	B-Device
,	O
but	O
criticized	O
some	O
aspects	O
of	O
it	O
,	O
specifically	O
its	O
flute	O
item	O
,	O
which	O
he	O
says	O
can	O
be	O
unusable	O
if	O
players	O
are	O
playing	O
on	O
a	O
train	O
for	O
instance	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
Daily	O
Telegraphs	O
Nick	O
Cowen	O
called	O
it	O
both	O
one	O
of	O
the	O
best	O
DS	B-Device
games	O
of	O
2009	O
and	O
the	O
best	O
video	O
game	O
for	O
all	O
ages	O
of	O
2009	O
,	O
calling	O
it	O
"	O
challenging	O
and	O
fun	O
"	O
and	O
"	O
chock-full	O
of	O
side-quests	O
"	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
The	O
Guardians	O
Adam	O
Boult	O
commented	O
that	O
while	O
it	O
was	O
n't	O
a	O
"	O
huge	O
leap	O
"	O
from	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
it	O
is	O
"	O
brimming	O
with	O
innovation	O
"	O
,	O
strongly	O
recommending	O
it	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
While	O
he	O
admits	O
that	O
train	O
travel	O
seems	O
restrictive	O
compared	O
to	O
Phantom	B-Application
Hourglass	I-Application
,	O
these	O
restrictions	O
are	O
eventually	O
"	O
put	O
to	O
good	O
use	O
"	O
,	O
making	O
traveling	O
an	O
"	O
engaging	O
challenge	O
"	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Fellow	O
The	O
Guardian	O
writer	O
Greg	O
Howson	O
found	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
to	O
be	O
enjoyable	O
,	O
though	O
criticizing	O
the	O
execution	O
of	O
the	O
Spirit	O
Flute	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
He	O
listed	O
it	O
as	O
his	O
second	O
favourite	O
DS	B-Device
game	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
was	O
nominated	O
for	O
best	O
handheld	B-Application
game	I-Application
in	O
the	O
Game	O
Developers	O
Choice	O
Awards	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Nintendo	O
Life	O
named	O
it	O
runner-up	O
for	O
best	O
Nintendo	B-Device
DS	I-Device
game	O
of	O
2009	O
,	O
and	O
its	O
readers	O
chose	O
it	O
as	O
their	O
runner-up	O
for	O
best	O
game	O
of	O
the	O
year	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
It	O
was	O
nominated	O
for	O
several	O
DS-related	O
awards	O
,	O
including	O
best	O
action	O
game	O
,	O
visual	O
excellence	O
,	O
sound	O
excellence	O
,	O
best	O
story	O
,	O
best	O
multiplayer	O
game	O
,	O
and	O
game	O
of	O
the	O
year	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
ranked	O
second	O
in	O
its	O
debut	O
week	O
in	O
Japan	O
,	O
selling	O
291,496	O
copies	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
For	O
the	O
first	O
half	O
of	O
2010	O
,	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
ranked	O
as	O
the	O
14th	O
best-selling	O
game	O
in	O
Japan	O
,	O
selling	O
376,054	O
copies	O
with	O
total	O
sales	O
at	O
the	O
time	O
at	O
696,995	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Forbes	O
 '	O
Brian	O
Caulfield	O
anticipated	O
that	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
would	O
strengthen	O
DSi	B-Device
sales	O
for	O
December	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
IGN	O
predicted	O
that	O
DSi	B-Device
sales	O
would	O
remain	O
steady	O
,	O
due	O
to	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
in	O
part	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Nintendo	O
listed	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
as	O
a	O
title	O
that	O
will	O
have	O
appeal	O
to	O
a	O
wider	O
age	O
group	O
in	O
its	O
financial	O
report	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Former	O
Nintendo	O
of	O
America	O
Executive	O
Vice	O
President	O
of	O
Sales	O
and	O
Marketing	O
Cammie	O
Dunaway	O
used	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
as	O
a	O
show	O
of	O
its	O
holiday	O
contenders	O
in	O
2009	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
was	O
anticipated	O
to	O
be	O
the	O
best-selling	O
video	O
game	O
of	O
December	O
2009	O
in	O
North	O
America	O
by	O
video	O
game	O
sales	O
analyst	O
Michael	O
Pachter	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
GamePro	O
predicted	O
that	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
would	O
be	O
the	O
fourth	O
best-selling	O
game	O
of	O
December	O
,	O
expecting	O
sales	O
in	O
excess	O
of	O
725,000	O
copies	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
For	O
its	O
debut	O
week	O
,	O
it	O
ranked	O
number	O
one	O
for	O
Nintendo	B-Device
DS	I-Device
games	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
debuted	O
at	O
12th	O
place	O
in	O
the	O
United	O
Kingdom	O
's	O
video	O
game	O
sales	O
chart	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
It	O
was	O
the	O
fourth	O
best-selling	O
DS	B-Device
game	O
in	O
the	O
UK	O
.	O
</s>
<s>
During	O
the	O
financial	O
year	O
ending	O
on	O
March	O
31	O
,	O
2010	O
,	O
Spirit	B-Application
Tracks	I-Application
sold	O
in	O
excess	O
of	O
2.61	O
million	O
copies	O
.	O
</s>
