The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks – Cheats and Secrets for Nintendo DS

The second of two follow-ups to The Wind Waker and utilizing the notorious “Toon Link” art style, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is the fifteenth mainline game in the series and the last for the Nintendo DS. Carrying on the tradition of its predecessor Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks sees players using the stylus to control Link instead of a more traditional control scheme. Released in 2009, the game is the last of the Legend of Zelda titles to use the “Toon Link” art style and also the last game in the series to take place in the same version of Hyrule from The Wind Waker, albeit 100 years later.

Originally released in 2009, production on Spirit Tracks began almost immediately following the release of its predecessor Phantom Hourglass. The game even includes the talents of roughly half of Phantom Hourglass‘ development team, including series mastermind and producer Eiji Aonuma. One of the more interesting deviations that Spirit Tracks makes over its predecessors (and even series sequels) is giving Princess Zelda a more direct role in the game’s combat and puzzle-solving rather than having her simply be a passive participant.

Initial reception to Spirit Tracks was very strong, with several outlets praising the game’s unique take on the Zelda series and adherence to a new traversal mechanic that moved away from the seafaring setting of both Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass. Though the game would go on to receive a very strong critical reception, the sales of Spirit Tracks are roughly half that of Phantom Hourglass.

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Premise

Much like Phantom Hourglass, players use the stylus and touch screen of the Nintendo DS to control Link and execute actions in Spirit Tracks. Players need to use the titular Spirit Tracks and locomotive to traverse the new Hyrule on an overworld map and then venture into various dungeons or villages where players control Link on foot. Like Phantom Hourglass, players can make use of the unique functionality of the Nintendo DS to make helpful notes on the maps of dungeons and the overworld for aid in puzzle-solving, completing side quests, and more.

In terms of its place in the larger Zelda canon, Spirit Tracks is the final game in the “Adult Era” of the timeline, taking place at the end of the reality where Link defeats Ganon and remains an adult at the conclusion of Ocarina of Time. Following the events of its predecessor (in which Link and Zelda successfully locate a new land for the establishment of a second kingdom of Hyrule), Spirit Tracks takes place 100 years later and sees a new Princess Zelda ruling the kingdom, and a young boy going by the name of Link as a young engineer on a locomotive.

When the Spirit Tracks start disappearing across Hyrule, Zelda calls upon Link to help her investigate but is soon detached from her body as a spirit. While in this state, Zelda discovers that she can possess the imposing Phantoms, allowing her to accompany Link on his journey as a fellow adventurer rather than a damsel in distress or errand giver. Also similar to Phantom Hourglass, the game features a central dungeon that players return to several times throughout the adventure, exploring more each time they return.

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Main Characters

Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks are unique in the Zelda series in that they both feature new versions of Link and Zelda but introduce new antagonists who are separate from Ganon. And, as one might expect, this new kingdom of Hyrule featured in Spirit Tracks introduces a slew of new and memorable NPCs for Link to interact with. The main characters in Spirit Tracks include:

• Link: The version of the recurring “Hero of Time” that players meet in Spirit Tracks is a young locomotive engineer who is also in service of the royal family, positioning him as a close friend to Princess Zelda.
• Princess Zelda: Spirit Tracks‘ version of Princess Zelda is a young girl acting as the sole ruler of the kingdom of Hyrule. When her spirit separates from her body as a result of Malladus’ curse, she possesses the body of a Phantom to help Link.
• Anjean: Anjean is the protector of the Tower of Spirits and a guide to both Link and Zelda in Spirit Tracks. A close friend of Tetra’s, Anjean’s job is to prevent Malladus from escaping his prison and she gifts Link and Zelda the Spirit Train to help them on their quest.
• Malladus: Malladus is an evil spirit that brought misfortune to the fledgling kingdom of Hyrule before the time of Spirit Tracks but after the events of Phantom Hourglass, prompting the Lokomo people to seal him within the Tower of Spirits. He is the primary antagonist of Spirit Tracks.

Games in The Legend of Zelda Series

Beginning in 1986 with The Legend of Zelda and continuing to this day via the most recent mainline entry Tears of the Kingdom, the Zelda series is one of the most iconic and impactful franchises in all of gaming. Though the series has had its ups and downs along the way, the franchise is noteworthy for maintaining an impressive bar of quality that few other series can attest to. The main games in The Legend of Zelda series include:

• The Legend of Zelda (1986)
• Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987)
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991)
• The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993)
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
• The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (2000)
• The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages (2001)
• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2003)
• The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (2004)
• The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2004)
• The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006)
• The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (2007)
• The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009)
• The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011)
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (2013)
• The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (2015)
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
• The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (2019)
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023)

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Cheats and Secrets

Action Replay Codes

The Nintendo DS has an Action Replay available for it, meaning players can use the cheat device to successfully input and use codes for Spirit Tracks. These codes also will work on emulation clients that can run Spirit Tracks by inputting them into the corresponding “Cheats” file.

Different Endings

Just before the final boss battle, Zelda asks Link what he wants after their fight against Malladus is over. Depending on the answer players choose, the ending will be different

• Engineer – Zelda hears Link’s train whistle
• Warrior – Zelda hears Link swordfighting beneath her window
• Dunno – Random

Stamp Collector Rewards

After receiving a letter from Niko, paying him a visit in Aboda Village will see him reward Link with the Stamp Book. After collecting a certain amount of stamps, Niko will present Link with various rewards depending on how many he has in the book.

• 10 Stamps – Ancient Shield
• 15 Stamps – Engineer Outfit
• 20 Stamps – Swordsman’s Scroll II (Upgrades Spin Attack)

Take ‘Em All On Challenge Rewards

Players can attempt three different Take ‘Em All On challenges in Hyrule Castle Town after progressing through the main quest, with each of them giving Link a useful reward.

• Heart Container
• Bomb Bag II (Carries 30 Bombs)
• Common Treasure/Rare Treasure as Shadow Link

What does the Spirit Flute do in Spirit Tracks?
Players can use the Spirit Flute to play various songs after Link unlocks them, with each song having a unique ability that helps Link along his journey. To play the flute, use the microphone of the DS system and blow into the corresponding correct color of the pan flute display.

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Cheat Codes FAQ

How long does it take to beat Spirit Tracks?
If you’re looking to simply beat the game, Spirit Tracks is relatively short for a Zelda game at around 20 hours. To do everything and 100% complete Spirit Tracks, though, that time increases to about 35 hours.