Nintendo GDC: New Zelda game announced (now with footage)

Saturo Iwata has announced that the Virtual Console will be expanded to arcade games as well as showing a new Zelda game.

The arcade games will include Space Harrier, Mappy, Star Force, Emeraldia, Return of Lishtar. Six games will launch in Japan, North American and Europe and will be available for download today. Space Invaders will follow.

"But I do not want you to leave with the idea we have forgotten about the interests of the most passionate gamers," Iwata said before showing off a new Zelda game called The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Track.

The new Zelda game will be available later this year on the DS. In the game Link has the ability to control and create enemies to make them fight others.

The rail-road mechanic is an extension of the Phantom Hourglass boat system, where you can ride a rail and shoot cannons.



A trailer of the game was shown featuring top-down gameplay. Link was wearing his train outfit and fought a giant scorpion with a cannon.

The game sounds like it's a traditional handheld Zelda game, but will come with puzzle dungeons and touch mechanics. 1up.com describes one of the enemy-control mechanics:

"Link distracted a big Zora with a controlled shadow guard, then snuck around to hit it from behind."



The press release reads:

"The new The Legend of ZeldaT: Spirit Tracks game that Iwata announced will utilise the intuitive touch control of Phantom Hourglass in an all new adventure that will please longtime Zelda fans while keeping the game accessible to all DS owners.

"The concept behind this Zelda game includes utilising a steam locomotive to travel around the world, switching Phantom and Link to explore the dungeons, and solving puzzles using new items."



Now there's your megaton =) Don't forget to download the now available 4.0 firmware for your Wii.

Here's the rest of the announcement made in the keynote (at least the ones we reported on):

New WiiWare games announced, including Rock and Roll Climber.

The Nintendo Wii has shipped 50 million units.

[UPDATE] - Here's the teaser trailer straight from GDC '09. You can also download this trailer from the Nintendo Channel: