New Game+

Congratulations, conductor! Completing The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks unlocks the coveted New Game+ mode, offering a fresh challenge and opportunities to truly master the Spirit Tracks. This mode isn't just a simple replay; it introduces several key changes and rewards for the dedicated adventurer.

What Carries Over?

Upon starting a New Game+, you'll find that many of your hard-earned achievements and collected items from your previous playthrough are retained. This gives you a significant advantage from the outset, allowing you to focus on new challenges and speedrunning tactics.

Heart Containers: All Heart Containers and Pieces of Heart you collected will carry over, meaning Link starts with his maximum health from the previous save.
Force Gems: Your total count of Force Gems will be retained. This is particularly useful for quickly unlocking new Spirit Tracks and accessing areas earlier in the game.
Train Parts: All collected Train Parts (Cannon, Freight Car, Passenger Car, etc.) and their upgrades will be available from the beginning. This allows for immediate customization of your train.
Collected Treasures: Any Treasures you've acquired will remain in your inventory, making it easier to trade for upgraded Train Parts or Rupees.
Rupees: Your current Rupee count will carry over. This can be a huge boon for purchasing expensive items or upgrades early on.
Stamp Book Progress: Your Stamp Book will retain all previously collected Stamps. While there are no new Stamps to collect, this serves as a record of your past achievements.

What Doesn't Carry Over?

To maintain a sense of progression and challenge, certain elements are reset in New Game+:

Story Progress: The main story and all dungeon progress are reset. You'll need to re-collect the Spirit Flute, Sword, and all dungeon items (Boomerang, Whirlwind, Bow, Whip, Sand Wand, etc.) as part of the narrative.
Small Keys & Boss Keys: These are dungeon-specific and will be reset.
Mailbox Messages: All messages from the Mailbox will be reset, allowing you to experience them again.
Side Quest Progress: Any incomplete side quests will be reset, giving you another chance to complete them. Completed side quests will remain in your record, but you can't re-do them for rewards.

New Game+ Exclusive Content & Challenges

New Game+ offers more than just a replay; it introduces elements that enhance the experience for veteran players:

1. Master Sword Upgrade

The most significant addition to New Game+ is the opportunity to upgrade the Lokomo Sword into the powerful Master Sword. This is not a simple acquisition; it requires dedication and skill.

Step 1: Complete the Game Again. You must play through the entire story of New Game+ and defeat Malladus once more.
Step 2: Visit the Spirit Tower. After defeating Malladus in your New Game+ playthrough, return to the Spirit Tower.
Step 3: Speak with Anjean. Anjean will acknowledge your dedication and, recognizing your mastery of the Spirit Tracks, will bestow upon you the Master Sword. This legendary blade deals significantly more damage than the Lokomo Sword, making combat much easier.

2. Increased Difficulty

While not explicitly stated, many players report a subtle increase in enemy aggression and damage output in New Game+. This makes combat encounters more challenging, especially in the early game before you re-acquire all your dungeon items.

Enemy Behavior: Expect enemies to react faster and potentially have slightly higher health pools.
Boss Fights: Bosses might employ their attack patterns more frequently or inflict greater damage. Be prepared to utilize your full arsenal and strategies.

3. Speedrunning Potential

With most of your essential upgrades, Heart Containers, and Rupees carrying over, New Game+ is ideal for speedrunning. You can skip many optional detours and focus purely on the main objectives.

Early Access: Use your retained Force Gems to unlock crucial Spirit Tracks earlier, cutting down travel time.
Powerful Start: Your maximum health and powerful train parts allow you to tackle early challenges with ease, minimizing grinding.
Master Sword Advantage: Once acquired, the Master Sword dramatically speeds up combat encounters, especially against bosses.

4. Completing Your Collection

New Game+ provides another chance to find any remaining collectibles you might have missed in your first playthrough.

Remaining Heart Pieces: Use your knowledge of the game world to track down any elusive Pieces of Heart.
Train Parts & Treasures: If you missed any specific Train Parts or rare Treasures, this is your opportunity to complete your inventory. Remember that some treasures are tied to specific side quests or mini-games.

Tips for Your New Game+ Journey

Prioritize Dungeon Items: While you have your health and Rupees, your combat effectiveness is tied to your dungeon items. Focus on progressing through the main story to re-acquire the Boomerang, Bow, Whip, etc.
Utilize Your Train: Your upgraded train is a powerful asset from the start. Use its advanced weaponry and speed to your advantage in the overworld.
Revisit Side Quests: If you enjoyed certain side quests, New Game+ offers a chance to experience them again, even if the rewards aren't new.
Experiment with Strategies: With less pressure to collect essentials, try out different combat tactics or train routes you might not have considered before.

Embrace the challenge and enjoy your enhanced journey through the Spirit Tracks!