It seems that a lot of information surrounding the upcoming Nintendo DS holiday release, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, is finally starting to surface.

From the top: GoNintendo reports that the image seen at right (click to enlarge slightly) is the packshot for the European release. And truth be told, I would really not expect much change for the North American release, either.

It is a nice image of Link riding through the countryside on the eponymous tracks, but perhaps more interesting is Zelda's presence alongside him. Hopefully, this might be indicative a situation in which she isn't a captive for nearly the entirety of the game for a change. Do we dare to hope?

So, that's the latest, bare-bones packaging which surfaced yesterday. Prior to this, a different packshot was shown within a special limited-edition that it seems certain European retailers (such as GAME and Gamestation) will be able to get when they pre-order.

According to a UK Nintendo rep, "I can confirm this limited edition tin will be available as an exclusive pre-order gift while stocks last from Game from the 26th October."

Now, while a tin alone may not be worth the price of admission for some, this collector's edition contains more than that:



Bring home the tin, and inside, you will find these two little beauties. I am now hoping that North America manages to get the same deal-- these look quite cool.

You can find more pictures here and here (via GoNintendo).

Finally, details on the game itself. Nintendo talks with G4TV.com about the title (as well as New Super Mario Bros. Wii), and the fun starts at 1:15:

Video Game - E3 2009 - X-Play

For those who can't view the video, here are the facts given:

Nintendo's Kit Ellis tells us that Spirit Tracks takes place 100 years after Phantom Hourglass, so you know what that means: new Link! Or so he says; Nintendo seems to be rather back-and-forth on the concept, but for all intents and purposes, this guy is different.

Despite this, however, it is set in the same world, with homages to the past title appearing throughout the story. One such returning element, of course, is the Phantom, who aids Link in his journey.

Regarding the train, Ellis says "As with any Zelda game, exploration is a big part of it. And you're not just going from A to B on the train; you're uncovering secrets, finding new places, and the train, you can upgrade as you go along."

He adds that you will be able to lay your own track, and do a bit of exploration that way as well.

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks will be available on December 7th in North America, and on the 11th in Europe. But before that happens, the Holiday issue of Nintendo Power magazine will be on the stands, and they are promising an in-depth look at the game, so keep your eyes peeled in a few weeks.