**Warning: This article contains spoilers.**

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is without question the most anticipated console launch game since Super Mario 64. And it's also one of the most controversial. Having jumped ship from the GameCube to the Wii (though a GameCube version is due for a quiet December 06 release), the games as well as Nintendo have caused plenty of stress, what with delays and most importantly, the Wii's new control scheme. But all of this worry is for nought. Twilight Princess is a phenomenal videogame in every respect. After having several hours to play Twilight Princess, it just might be the greatest Zelda ever made.

First off, the Wii mote control is fabulous. It's so intuitive and comfortable that it makes today's controllers (even the much heralded Xbox 360 game pad) feel archaic. The remote needs to be within range of it's sensor bar, and it's not uncommon to have to adjust it so that everything works in tandem, but for the most part, the remote is very flexible, allowing for on the lap as well as in the air play.

The game also requires very little movement. Link performs a neat spin attack (as both a human and a wolf) by shaking his nunchuks from side to side, but this can be achieved with very subtle movements and through the Wii-mote. It's far more enjoyable making dramatic and exaggerated sword slashes because of the sense of empowerment that it brings. After all, if one's going to attack a monster with a giant sword, it's best to leap off the couch and wave the controller around, though it's not necessary. The same moves can be achieved by gently shaking the Wii-mote in any direction. Either way, the combat is extremely satisfying.

Aiming weapons is another feature that kicks today's controllers into the dark ages. Holding the B button (the trigger underneath the Wii-mote) and physically aiming the controller at the screen just feels right. It doesn't matter if you're using a bow or a slingshot. And it feels great hitting something with the sword and feeling the rumble from the controller. Now combine that with the sound effects that erupt from the Wii-mote's speaker, and the package is beyond excellent.

Unfortunately, the controls aren't perfect. The A button is used to perform context sensitive commands, and because a few of them can be done at one time, it's too easy to "roll" instead of "pick up". However, this appears to be more of a design issue than a controller malfunction, and the odds are good that the same problem will pop up in the GameCube version.

By and large (at least for the first nine hours), Twilight Princess is a traditional Zelda adventure chock full of dungeons, thrilling boss fights, and lots of head-scratching puzzles. The only curve the developers toss into the mix is the ability to turn into a wolf, and it's quite a masterstroke. As a wolf, Link can bite enemies, dig up secret items, and sneak into houses and under locked gates. He can also speak to the animals. Most of them have nothing important to say. But conversation with the same chicken Link terrorized in elf form just an hour ago is cool. Of course, as soon as he changes back the same chicken wants nothing to do with him. Conversely, the same character that greets elf Link at the beginning of the game will kill wolf Link if he gets too close. It's simply a great dynamic.