The recently released The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks for the Nintendo DS is a worthy follow-up to 2007's Phantom Hourglass that corrects most of the original game's design flaws, but one aspect in which it exceeds its predecessor has to be its memorable soundtrack, particularly the main overworld theme that plays whenever Link and Princess Zelda are headed from Point A to Point B aboard the Spirit Train. One of the elements that makes a Legend of Zelda game a true Legend of Zelda game is a majestic, memorable overworld theme, and Spirit Tracks delivers with a song that stands out from the rest of the game's soundtrack. Check out this excerpt as you imagine yourself riding the rails (ghostly princess optional).

What I find especially impressive is how appropriate this tune is to the game's setting. Take note of the steady rhythmic percussion that approximates the clack-clack-clack of rolling along railroad tracks, for instance. The melodic whistle matches up with the sound of the game's Ocarina-like musical MacGuffin, the Spirit Flute. Moreover, most train trips last only a minute or two, so only those players who take detours will hear the downbeat, almost melancholy breakdown that begins around the 2:20 mark in this clip. I can't get enough of this song, and while playing Spirit Tracks I find myself taking the long way from place to place just so I can hear more of it.