Link. Zelda. Tri-Force…just a few words you have to utter to make the Nintendo elites’ ears pop up like one of Pavlov’s dogs (yeah, the fanboys drool just like the dogs).

During the press conference it was announced that the Wii will launch with the Legend of Zelda (LOZ) on both the Gamecube and Wii. The Wii, of course, will have exclusive gameplay mechanics that you won’t see on your fledgling Gamecube.

As the demo starts off, you have to first learn to get used to the Wii remote controls as it is a tad twitchy like the Metroid problems I had with their preview build. The further along I played the more I learned to adjust to them, so in the end this shouldn’t be an issue I would imagine. Obviously, fans wanted to use the remote like a sword in LOZ since the day it was announced, and now they have their chance. Lock-on is attached to the back of the “chuk,” which uses the analog stick to make Link run in a specific direction, while the sword is attached to the B-button that is underneath the remote (I felt this was a bit of an awkward position, but I suppose the A-button on the front is there for a better reason.) So as you play the game, you can simply hit B repeatedly to attack normally with your sword, but you can also thrust your remote forward to make him thrust or quickly spin your “chuk” in a circle to make Zelda perform his patent pending spin attack.

Another weapon shown off is the bow, which is where my only real frustrations with the controls came from. As said before, you have to be really careful with your movements, as just jamming it one way will be to the extreme and completely miss your target. So hold down the down direction on the D-pad to pull your bow out. Now, as you pull the bow back, you hear the strings tighten, and then when you release your hear the twang. This, dear readers, is such a small touch, but it makes all the difference in the world. Very, very cool.

Another weapon you get to use is a boomerang, which this preview build dungeon (like a training ground essentially) only really used for a puzzle. In this case you have windmill gears that you need to get spinning with some wind. So, whip out that boomer with another direction on the D-pad, and while keeping that button pressed move the remote to point at the markers you want to hit. After you let the boomerang go you will open the door and move on.

Now, the reason I mention learning to adjust is because by the time I got to the boss battle it was pretty easy to handle. When you enter the boss’ lair you’ve got this chained giant…who then breaks free and lights on fire. Yikes! As with any LOZ boss, it all comes down to the pattern. In this boss’ case you have to use your arrows to hit a red glowing spot on his forehead. Now, after that, head on over to his backside where his loose chains are. Next you equip your iron boots to weight you to the ground, and then you grab his chain and pull back…thus making the big idiot fall on his face. Yep, you guessed it, now run over there and whack him in the face with your sword. The Legend of Zelda recipe for instant boss death.

Did I mention how good the game looks? It is pretty.

I didn’t get to play the fishing portion using the Wii remote, but come on, how could fishing in LOZ not be fun?

I spent the most hands on time with LOZ, so I got to get a good feel for it, and though it might take a while to get used to, I ultimately feel as if this is the version you should get should you find yourself buying a Wii on release day. It is one thing to play as Link, but it is another to be Link…and the Wii version brings you one step closer to wearing the tight green spandex and elf shoes.