The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess [Wii]

Who needs porky plumbers when you have the beloved, pointy-eared protagonist featured in your console launch? Twilight Princess will be available on day one for Nintendo's Wii, and it's certain to go home with basically every system owner. Nintendo invited us to its Washington headquarters to get familiar with Link's brand new bag a little earlier than everyone else.

The setup was almost ideal for an immersive experience. We had a decent screen, a decent chair, and a large chunk of time in which to explore the new-gen world of Hyrule. This accurately portrayed how it will be when you get your very own Wii home, plop in front of the couch, and play Zelda for hours on end. The only distraction was sometimes being confused by the audio of your neighbor's TV, but we got something you won't have: friendly Nintendo employees there to help us out of any pinches.

Twilight Princess definitely feels like the N64 smash, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It's actually the same world, but in a much different time. Link is a simple ranch hand in a simple town full of other everyday people. Even at these early stages, however, there is much to do and personality abounds.

Your horse Epona is with you almost at the outset, and really helps with traversing the expansive land. Link quickly amasses a list of tools and weapons -- including a sword, slingshot, and fishing pole. With your blade unsheathed, there are plenty of swinging options. Simply swinging the remote will cause Link to flail away in turn; it's worth noting that the Wii recognizes subtle movements, so you won't be developing tennis elbow anytime soon. Link can also do a leaping attack when Z-targeting an enemy (remember that from previous games?), and the familiar spinning slash is done by jostling the nunchuk from side to side.

The slingshot, and subsequent projectile weapons, requires pointing the remote at the screen and taking aim. It's worlds easier and faster than using an analog stick like in "normal" console games, and is even superior to using a mouse. While there is a period of adjustment, you'll quickly grow comfortable and never look back. Fishing emulates actual casting and reeling in, but you need a keen eye to get your timing down. You also pick up a lantern and bottle in short order, but there's no trick to their use. Each of these pieces of equipment can be mapped to the directional pad to be instantly equipped whenever you need them.

The world outside the village has become much more dangerous, as you find out when some of the children go missing attempting to emulate your sword-swinging style. Link has problems of his own, however, as he gets sucked into twilight -- which is engulfing the land -- and is warped to a strange location. This starts the wolf portion of the game, where you go from agile fairy boy to four-legged beast.

Control for movement and attacks are basically the same. While wolf-Link doesn't have access to equipment, he's got his own unique characteristics. A dark creature known as Midna lends you a hand early and often, but her intentions may be as dark as the atmosphere. She helps Link tap into his wolf powers -- like the ability to pick up scents, listen to "spirits," and dig with his claws. She'll even allow you to reach extreme heights. The game constantly keeps you guessing about when you'll turn into a wolf, and when you'll turn back.