"It was among the most heinous incidents in video game history," says Nintendo of Princess Zelda's first kidnap ordeal, explaining with the aid of a new Spirit Tracks trailer that "for the first time in [the series'] 23-year history... Princess Zelda is leaving the villainous clutches of the underworld behind and joining the adventure with Link."

Keen-eyed viewers might notice that Zelda's body appears to have once again been abducted and the poor dear is left a spirit haunting clanky old suits of armour and obeying Link's every command, but we suppose any progress is good progress.

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks hits the DS in North America on December 7.

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Nintendo has announced its holiday lineup, giving a release date to the DS's Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks and confirming that a new Castlevania title will be hitting Wii soon.

Spirit Tracks will be hitting the DS on December 7, with trains and a controllable companion character added to the usual fine mix of adventure, puzzles and combat.

First revealed by ESRB listings and dated for the third fiscal quarter--October to December--Konami's Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth presumably follows the path of its Contra and Gradius WiiWare 'Rebirth' releases--new titles faithful to the old style.

Retro fans might also enjoy the news that WayForward's platformer series Shantae will receive a new instalment named Risky's Revenge on DSiWare, also in the third quarter.

Fresh off this morning's announcement, here's the debut trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. The Nintendo DS title is slated to arrive on store shelves this year.

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