The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Reviews

• Fun sequel to one of the previous best

  
  By A282RNKOO2P5RT on 2007-10-02
  ***Note: Some spoilers within***
  
  It's been a while since I enjoyed a Zelda title on a handheld. This selection doesn't disappoint.
  
  I'm only a few hours in and I'm hooked. The story line, graphics, music and the characters are all excellent. This title, like Wind Waker, uses the cartoonish/younger set of characters versus the young adult set from Twilight Princess.
  
  For now, here is what I like and don't like. Of course, I'll update the review as I get deeper into the game.
  
  Pros:
  
  - Picks up where Wind Waker left off. A great story!
  - Having the map on the second screen is brilliant. Being able to jot down notes on it is even better. This is by far the most useful tool in the game.
  - You can save at any point in the game.
  - Puzzle mix is pretty balanced. Nothing too simple and nothing aggravating to the point I want to put the game down. I really dig some of the creative elements they've added to the dungeons. That's all I'm saying; I don't want to give away any spoilers. :)
  - The boomerang. I love drawing the path out on the screen. Not only is it used to complete certain actions/puzzles, it's a vital tool in fights. Tip #1: Go slow when drawing the path. If you hit walls or obstacles, the throw is not completed. Tip #2: You can hold down the left shoulder button to instantly switch to the boomerang. This is a great way to quickly arm it.
  
  
  Cons:
  
  - I feel like I'm always running out of "screen". This just boils down to the stylus control and limited real estate of the DS.
  - Getting Link to "roll" is quite difficult for me. Others may have this move down. I'm still struggling.
  - You can "fall" into water (you lose a heart piece) and off of cliffs. One stylus touch too far and Link can be sent flying off a cliff forcing you to start a map from where you landed. For me, that always seems to be the beginning. :)
  - Other than accessing menus and flipping the screens, the direction pad is pretty much unused. In similar games, I prefer to use it for "moving" characters on screen. It was a little disappointing to see this left out. Not a deal-breaker, just nice to have.
  - Using the microphone. I don't think you need to incorporate this into every game. It's great for its intended purpose, but frankly, I don't want to have to blow on my DS to make candles go out as part of a puzzle. Is there a button that will do the same? If there is, I haven't found it yet. I'm still blowing. Just a minor annoyance.
  
  So far this game is a lot of fun; more to come soon, if I ever put this thing down.
  
  ***UPDATE 10/08/07***
  
  The game continues to rock. The story is getting deeper and I've very into it. I also like how the ocean-going portion of the game is panning out. (E.g. Upgrading the ship, plotting courses, ocean battles, etc.) The addition of "treasure hunting" or "salvaging" is like a mini-game in itself.
  
  The versatility of the items you acquire continues to impress.
  
  Examples:
  
  - The bombs (oh, how I love the bombs) can obviously be used to blow up enemies, but they are equally useful in blowing up crates and walls so you can gain access to new areas and treasure.
  - The bow and arrow (my new favorite) is not only a fast and accurate weapon, but a vital tool fot activating dungeon "eyeball" switches.
  
  ***UPDATE 10/14/07***
  
  More great items, more great adventure.
  
  Here are some highlights from the last week (hopefully I don't spoil anything).
  
  - Fishing is great. I found myself a fishing rod. Well, I was actually given it. It is little hard to control at first, but once getting the hang of it, provides a lot of fun and there is a nice surprise waiting for you if you "catch 'em all".
  - I'm hooked on the Grappling Hook! Like the boomerang, it's a vital tool and is used for much more than just grappling. One great example, think "Human Slingshot."
  - I finally died (fire and ice dragons were tough until I figured out what to do). It was nice that all I had to do was walk back through the blue portal and I was right back to the boss fight again. Thank goodness I didn't have to do the entire dungeon again.
  
  ***UPDATE 10/28/07***
  
  I finished the game on a flight to LA this weekend.
  
  - The storyline continued to develop and really kept me interested; all the way to the end.
  - The new items (especially the hammer) were perfect additions to the already creative arsenal. (Hint: Be sure to hold down the stylus for a second or two and the hammer doubles in size and punch)
  - A couple of the boss-fights were actually in 3D-mode versus top-down 3rd person. The graphics during these sequences looked great.
  - There were even some really funny moments towards the end. When G'Pa snatched the hourglass from Link mid-spin, I cracked up.
  - Lastly, the final boss fight was excellent. Not too hard, multi-leveled (literally) and actually really fun. No frustration.
  
  Kudos to Nintendo for making one of the best games I've ever played on the DS. Thank you!
  
  
  

• What a DS RPG should be!

  
  By A1LGB9RZX3SR0P on 2007-10-08
  Let me say, that I'm a HUGE Final Fantasy fan, and have only played two other Zelda games EVER, and never to completion. So it is with some surprise that I say "The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass" stands the model upon which all future DS RPGs should be. It has replaced Final Fantasy III as my new favorite DS RPG and it was no contest.
  
  The graphics are second-to-none for the system. I thought FFIII and Chocobo Tales were good, but this takes what the system can do to another level. It's colorful, bright, cute, and stylish. For a game on such a small screen, the detail is wonderful.
  
  And while some may pass off the stylus-only gameplay as gimmicky, I felt that the tight integration gave me a feeling of being more involved with the game, as opposed to simple button-mashing. The ability to control Link's speed with your stylus is a very clever take, and I actually prefer it to the usual "Hold down B to run." I also like being able to plot the path of my boomerang with the stylus. A very nice touch that adds to the fun of the game.
  
  I enjoy the puzzles and the "time limit" set by the Phantom Hourglass is a great way to keep players on their toes in dungeons. The puzzles, while not overly difficult, offer enough challenge to be fun and not frustrating. And if you can find the hints to solve the puzzles (which are usually scattered somewhere), almost no thought is needed at all.
  
  The story is engaging (this is a sequel, tho' you don't need to have played "The Wind Waker" to understand what's going on) and the characters likable. I also found the music and sound effects to be pleasant and very good for a game that already packs so much into such a small cartridge.
  
  There's so much to LoZ:PH, that I haven't even had a chance to try the multiplayer mode, though it seems to be a watered-down version of Four Swords. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Four Swords is universally considered the pinnacle of multiplayer Zelda, so if it's anything like that, PH is definitely headed in the right direction in that department.
  
  This is a great game for players of any level. Hardcore gamers will appreciate the innovative gameplay and great graphics, and casual gamers will like the challenge and interesting story. Kids will like the bright, colorful graphics and slick fighting/boomerang moves, while adults will like the story and puzzle-solving. This is what a DS RPG should be. Heck, this is what ANY game should aspire to be!
  
  

• first zelda dual screen action

  
  By A2LRM8S49LWCGG on 2006-07-29
  
  The epic story of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker continues as Link finds himself lost and alone in unknown seas in a new adventure. Featuring intuitive touch-screen controls and innovative puzzles, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass offers new challenges for fans of the series and an easy-to-grasp introduction for gamers new to The Legend of Zelda. But time grows short, and only the Phantom Hourglass can buy Link the minutes he'll need to survive.
  Many months have passed since the events of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Link, Tetra and Tetra's band of pirates have set sail in search of new lands. They come across a patch of ocean covered in a dense fog, in which they discover an abandoned ship. Tetra falls into danger when she explores the ship alone, and Link falls into the ocean when he attempts to rescue her. When he washes up unconscious on the shores of a mysterious island, he is awakened by the sound of a fairy's voice. With the aid of this fairy, he sets off to find Tetra - and his way back to the seas he once knew.
  
  The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is controlled almost entirely by the stylus. Using the touch screen, players direct Link's movements and attacks: A sweeping motion triggers Link's spin attack and tapping characters makes Link speak with them. The stylus controls offer a more intuitive means of playing the game and open up new possibilities for puzzle solving.
  
  The game action takes place primarily on the touch screen, with a map on the top screen. However, the player can inspect the map on the touch screen and make notes using the stylus. The notes on these maps are saved for review on the top screen during game play. Players use the map to chart courses for their ships, too. Using the stylus to draw a path through the islands, players set their ships' courses. Then, as the ships automatically follow the paths drawn, players can control their ships' cannons to target oncoming enemies.
  
  In dungeons, players can use the touch screen to draw paths for boomerangs, sending them flying around corners or into otherwise unreachable areas.
  
  The stylus-driven game play is the most compelling new feature of The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. Players use the stylus to control Link, chart courses for their ships, mark notes on maps and solve puzzles in both the overworld and dungeons. A two-player wireless battle mode pits one player, as Link, against another player who controls the enemies pursuing him. Link must collect enough Force Gems before the enemies close in.
  
  Features:
  
  The stylus makes controlling Link easier than ever. Tap on the screen to make Link move, or sweep the stylus around him to swing the sword. Players can even draw a path for his boomerang and send it flying into hard-to-reach targets.
  Players can stash the map on the top screen for quick reference or drop it to the touch screen to make notes, study enemies, or chart a path for their boat to follow while they man the cannons.
  Compete with a friend over a local wireless connection: Guide Link through special dungeons to capture the Triforce, or command the forces that oppose him.
  
  done and completed by Baaizeed Rahman
  
  
  

• Gimmicky and uninspired, PH is rather disappointing for a Zelda title.

  
  By A3QAHWGT1VQHI0 on 2007-10-01
  I'm not sure why critics are giving this game such high scores. I personally felt very disappointed with it (I played the Japanese version, as I knew enough Japanese to get myself through the game.) In many ways, I felt PH was worse than its handheld predecessor, The Minish Cap. Here's my critical review:
  
  Dungeons: You have some of the most linear and straightforward dungeons you will ever see in any Zelda game. While there are some challenging puzzles in Levels 6 and 7 (think TP Master Sword puzzle difficulty), for the most part, the dungeons are cake. The "jot down notes on your map" gimmick gets old by the second half of the game. If you want to challenge yourself, try memorizing the details instead of writing them down. Dungeons will take an average time of 20-40 minutes each, making some of the shortest dungeons since the days of ALttP/LA.
  
  Game Length and Difficulty: I'd expect an average player to finish in 10-15 hours for an unaided first playthrough, and 20 hours for 100% completion. Veterans of this series should not take more than 10 if they focus on the main quest. The average player will score some gameovers, but nowhere near as many as the early NES/SNES/GB games.
  
  This game also takes a giant step backwards from TP (and TMC) in a lot of ways:
  
  Dungeon design: Instead of themed dungeons in TP, where each dungeon has a unique gameplay mechanic to remember it by (for example, guiding the statue in the Temple of Time), PH's dungeons are once again generic (Level 3 could have easily been Level 5, and vice versa), linear (even more so than in TP), and almost jokingly easy until near the end.
  
  Inventory: There are no new items (i.e. everything is taken from previous LoZ titles). There are two items for which you draw out their flight paths in advance, and for the remaining five, you point your stylus where you want to use the item. Neither is particularly revolutionary or interesting.
  
  Stylus controls: Surprisingly, they're not as bad as people make them out to be. You will get used to them by the end of the game. There are occasional annoyances (for example, your hands get sore after long periods of play much more easily), and I can't say that I prefer this scheme to the traditional D-pad/analog stick setup, but it's definitely tolerable.
  
  Plot development: Three cutscenes: beginning, middle, and end. No dynamic characters. Story has almost nothing to do with The Wind Waker or the franchise. Tetra has about 10 minutes of on-screen time and you'll get the feeling she was thrown in just for the heck of it.
  
  Music: For the first time since ALttP, each dungeon does not have a unique theme. In fact, the same theme, which consists of just 4-6 repeating notes, is used in all eight dungeons, and it gets really annoying fast. Most songs are simply remixes of classic tunes, and in many cases, their quality has been downgraded. For example, the Goron theme from TP got nerfed, and the light world dungeon theme from ALttP was "borrowed" to become a character's theme in PH, and boy, it sounds awful.
  
  Other gameplay gripes:
  You have to return to the Ocean King's Temple [the master dungeon] a grand total of six times, and must restart from the topmost floor (there are 13 basement levels) upon each visit. This becomes an annoyance. Yes, after a few return trips, you will be able to open a checkpoint at the halfway mark, as well as use alternative pathways/puzzle solutions with newly acquired inventory items. Nonetheless, there's still a lot of overlap and repetition (think six return visits), and it gets stale.
  
  The time limit is _NEVER_ a problem as long as you remain patient and refrain yourself from taking chances and running into phantom guards. Since there are time bonuses on almost every level of the dungeon, it's actually possible to finish the whole thing with a net time of zero.
  
  Verdict: Solid rent for me. The game's strong points are its graphics, boss battles, and multiplayer mode. Everything else is meh. I really think this game is being incredibly overrated by the press.
  
  

• Big adventure

  
  By AELSTEJJO90M7 on 2007-12-18
  In this episode of Zelda (my first one ever) Link has to save Zelda after yet another unfortunate encounter with a villain. This time she is kidnapped by a Ghost ship, Link falls from his ship and washes up on the shore of Mercay island, where he meets his companion for this trip: the fairy Ciela. Together they have to defeat a whole array of increasingly scarier monsters before they can truely free Zelda.
  
  I admit it: I'm 44 and new to gaming. This game is rated as 7+ in the Netherlands (even though there are very few 7 year olds than can already read English), so I was kind of anxious about the childishness of the game, but, boy, did I have fun! Yes, I agree with some reviewers that it is tedious to return to the Temple of the Ocean King all the time, but that is made more than made up for by shooting, stabbing, hooking and bombing all the very ingeniously invented monsters of the various temples and islands. But apart from that you can also fish, trade, dig up rupees, pimp up your boat, fly with chicken. And you have to solve some riddles that are difficult, but not impossible.
  
  Some people claim that they went through this game in 12 hours. I have no idea how they did that: the final fight alone took me all in all almost 3 hours (and some less-than-polite language) to complete. And apart from the game proper there are a number of side-quests or you can just go treasure hunting or shoot seagulls, all according to your preferences. And their is a multi-player mode that I have not even explored yet...
  
  The graphics are amazing for such a little screen and after a while you actually start to like Link, the little green fellow with the tight pants and the big eyes that is your alter ego in this game.
  
  
• An after-thought to a real Zelda game
  By AA25SU6Q43U7R on 2007-10-15
  I love the Zelda series and have all the games. I played Twilight Princess and thoroughly enjoyed the difficulty, the characters and the graphics. After many release date setbacks, I finally bought my copy of Phantom Hourglass the day it came out. And completed it the day it came out. Fully. All side quests complete. A lot of times, on other Zelda games, I was stumped and have to think on the puzzle for a while. Not so with this one. I figured them all out. I even tried to make it harder than it was! I kept trying to put complex solutions on simple problems. I was so vastly disappointed with this game. Also, I am SO over the stylus. Seriously. Your hand gets in the way and there were a few times I missed seeing a monster come up behind me because my stupid hand was in the way. Then there was when you slash, versus running. Sometimes I would try to slash something, and lo and behold, I would sedately walk up to the monster, and wait to be killed. Also... I like the play between the right hand and the left hand. You have to be good with both hands, it makes it just a little bit tougher. This was all one handed, with your other hand just sitting there. Limply. It was very frustrating, and I truly wish they had made the stylus optional. They were just trying for a new gimmick, and for me, it didn't work. I had hoped for better.
  
  
• Like Sands Through the Hourglass
  By A1NCYESTJRPZA4 on 2007-10-01
  You can't go wrong with a franchise that has sold more than 52 million units worldwide since 1987. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is definitely no exception. I've been waiting for this game to be released since I got my Nintendo DS Lite last year and all I can say is that it was all worth the wait.
  
  This is the direct sequel to Nintendo GameCube's The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, similar in both the style and the characters.
  
  Utilizing the power of the stylus, one can play the entire game with only the touch screen. I feel more in control of the game when, for example, I draw the path of my boomerang, plot my ship's course, and swing Link's sword by doing a slashing motion across the screen. I thought it would be weird using the stylus to play the game but somehow it felt like it was the natural thing to do (there was very little learning curve, if any).
  
  I'm not really a fan of the cel-shaded graphics because it creates too much of a cartoon feel. I would have wanted for a Link incarnation that would be similar to the Link in Ocarina of Time or Twilight Princess but I guess this young Link would suit better in cel-shaded animation.
  
  To date I have 4 extremely satisfying games on my Nintendo DS but the Phantom Hourglass definitely supercedes them all. I'm one of many gamers here who were (a little) disappointed that Japan got this title roughly 4 months ahead. But the agony of the long wait seems to disappear now that I'm experiencing the magic of this game. I hope to see another The Legend of Zelda game on the DS (though there is unlikely to be one in the near future).
  
  
• One of the best games to hit the DS yet
  By AJKWF4W7QD4NS on 2007-10-03
  A direct sequel to the Gamecube's Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, the eagerly anticipated Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is finally here on the DS, and its one of the best games to hit Nintendo's dual screened portable yet. Phantom Hourglass picks up right where Wind Waker left off, with Link and Tetra (Zelda) sailing the seas. Naturally, things don't go quite well as a ghost ship appears, Tetra takes off, and Link is washed ashore on an island. Despite the familiar storyline, Phantom Hourglass has all the fun puzzle and adventure elements that fans of the series have come to expect. Making inventive use of the touch screen and stylus controls, Phantom Hourglass may take some getting used to in this department, but once you do, you'll have a blast. Since this is a direct sequel to Wind Waker, the game follows the same graphical and gameplay styles, meaning the cartoonish, diminuitive Link that we came to love (and in the case of a good amount of players, hated) is here, as are the sailing elements. Fortunately, some improvements have been made for the DS, particularly the sailing parts which are performed much better here. Graphically, Phantom Hourglass boasts some of the best visuals of any DS game. The boss battles are wonderful, and the environments are inventive as well, rounding out another masterpiece in the Legend of Zelda series. The only real downside to Phantom Hourglass is that the touch screen controls, as I've said before, take a bit of getting used to. Gamers may be turned off by not using the traditional control scheme we've come to expect from a portable Zelda game, but once you get past that, it's smooth sailing (literally). Not to mention that if the differently designed art style from Wind Waker wasn't your cup of tea, Phantom Hourglass' visuals won't win you over. All that aside, Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is a smashing title for the DS and the franchise, and undoubtedly one of the best games to hit the system yet.
  
  
• Zelda on DS...it had to happen
  By A3JUMMIGJ7B38X on 2007-10-03
  I'm sure Nintendo is feeling pretty safe. Through the years, they've amassed a nice collection of franchises they can bet on to keep people coming back. So here's another entry...The Legend of Zelda on Nintendo DS. Fans of the series should know what to expect, this game is really no different from any of the other ones. What made this one fresh is the fact that it's on one of the most innovative consoles ever, bringing that innovation to the Zelda series.
  
  This is a direct sequel to GameCube's The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. While that game isn't the strongest entry (that honor goes to Ocarina of Time for N64), the cartoon look and humor fits quite nicely with the DS and I personally wouldn't have it any other way. All the usual Zelda elements are there, but this time you control with the stylus, which makes playing it all the more fun. Sword-fighting is done by simply touching the enemy or making a slash mark. The boomerang is used by tracing the path you want it to follow (this is simply ingenious!). Your ship's course is determined by tracing the path you want it to follow. The fact that you can also write notes on the game's map is very useful too.
  
  Story-wise, it's simple and to-the-point. Obviously, Nintendo wanted to focus more on gameplay than story, and that's not a bad thing. The dungeons are rather short, but again, simplicity is rampant in this game. I really like the incorporation of the microphone! While it doesn't have speech recognition, you can simply blow in the mic to make things happen. I'm not a fan of having to do the main dungeon over and over again. That will definitely get tedious. The roll move is somewhat difficult to execute, which takes away from the otherwise brilliant play control.
  
  My biggest complaints stem from aspects that have been done before in other games. The fairy that accompanies Link speaks for him and also suffers from memory loss, which is identical to Tippi the Pixl from Super Paper Mario (they even look similar). Also, in the main dungeon, Link's life will slowly drain unless he's in designated "Safe Zones", which is straight out of Dark Aether from Metroid Prime 2. Sure they change that up slightly with the use of the Phantom Hourglass, but that just serves to make the game somewhat on the easy side. Incidentally, Metroid Prime 2 borrowed part of its gameplay (light and dark worlds) from Zelda: A Link To The Past, so I guess the favor is returned?
  
  Overall, however, this is probably one of the best games for the DS. It certainly will keep you occupied and coming back for more. While those looking for an expansive Zelda epic like Twilight Princess will undoubtedly be disappointed, this wasn't the point of Phantom Hourglass and it should still satisfy fans. It's a strong entry in the Legend of Zelda series.
  
  
• Wow. Simply, wow.
  By A92N8F4P1PV96 on 2007-10-08
  This game is fantastic, and quite possibly one of the best games that I've played on the DS so far.
  
  The setting is a few months after Wind Waker, and it takes place in a brand new ocean, so you're not stuck with the same map that you had before. Basically, Tetra is kidnapped and it is up to you, Link, to save her. With a new fairy partner (that has the same voice clips as Navi from Ocarina of Time, I might add) named Celia and the somewhat-shady Captain Linebeck, you're off on your quest to rescue Tetra and revive the Ocean King. (But you'll learn about that later.)
  
  The game controld fully utilize the DS's touch screen. It's fantastic. With your map constantly on the upper screen, game control is fully devoted to the bottom screen. The player uses the stylus to move Link about, swing his sword, throw the boomerang, and other things. Targeting a specific enemy has never been easier - just tap them - and by pressing 'B' or down on the D-pad, you can pull your map down to the touch screen, where you can scribble down notes and memos to yourself about the overworld (another very handy feature.)
  
  The only big complaint that I have with this game is that whever you save and quit in a dungeon, or you need to leave for some reason, you need to everything all over again. It gets very tedious very fast, not to mention incredibly frustrating. However, that is the only thing that I would want to see changed.
  
  Even with the DS' processing power, the overworld is vibrantly colored and fun to play in, and the music is very similar to the Wind Waker's score.
  
  I am incredibly pleased with this game, and couldn't ask for anything more in a DS game so far.
  
  
• Tons of fun!
  By A3C8R2PLAWK1WZ on 2007-10-12
  I have a confession: I've never been much of a Zelda fan. I prefer my games with experience points and lots of dialog, and for some reason I had sort of pigeon-holed LoZ into a lame puzzle game. Now I'm gonna go back to the series and see what I've been missing.
  
  Other reviewers here have already covered the graphics, plotline, and atmosphere of the game, so I'd like to focus on the gameplay itself. The touch-screen controls are nearly flawless on this. I love my DS but it really feels like the touch-screen is a useless accessory to most games. In Phantom Hourglass, though, they implemented it so well that I can't shut up about it. In a lot of other games it feels awkward letting go of the buttons and grabbing the stylus just to click a few things before putting it back. In this game, EVERYTHING you do is done using the stylus so there's no awkward transitions, and more importantly, it's done very well.
  
  This game had me hooked within minutes of turning it on, based on the feel of the controls alone. Combat is fast paced and responsive, like it should be. The gameplay is so intuitive that the manual is pretty much unnecessary. Want to grab something? Click it. Want to talk to someone? Tap them. Aiming your bow? Just tap the target. Animal Crossing had similar controls but they always felt sluggish to me, whereas Phantom Hourglass has the sort of immersive controls that really put you inside the game.
  
  The rest of the game feels balanced to me: the boss fights are tough until you figure out the trick, and the puzzles require just enough thought and strategy to make you really think but not so much that you become frustrated. I really like how the puzzles are so well-integrated into the world. It isn't like you reach a dead end in a dungeon and have to solve some brain-twister. It's more like the whole dungeon is one big gradual puzzle that you are unlocking.
  
  Overall, this game is tons of fun. Real fun, not "a challenge" or "something to kill time," but the kind of game that will engage you and make you smile to yourself while playing it. Go pick it up now!
  
  
• Zelda arrives on the DS at last!
  By A1MN7SLVTF32ES on 2008-01-26
  Ok, let's face it. If you are a gamer of any sort, you should know that the Legend of Zelda series has undoubtedly been one of (if not the) most influential, innovative, and downright fun ever.
  
  I bought this when I was stuck in St. Peter, MN over a weekend. Boy, was it fun. I rarely buy games right after they come out (yeah, I'm a cheapskate), but I paid the $40 up front two days after release. I loved the innovative uses of the DS. You know how Rayman Raving Rabbids used every possible function of the Wiimote? Well, Phantom Hourglass does the same thing with the DS. You'll blow on the mic, write on the map, and every movement and combat is used exclusively with the stylus. This is how the DS was meant to be used.
  
  About five hours in, however, I discovered a major problem. After a level, I have to return to The Temple Of The Ocean King, and run through everything again...on a timer? That means all the enemies, puzzles, etc. It was ridiculous. The Temple is hard enough the first time around, but on a timer? And having to repeat everything is just mean. Honestly, it's one of the most annoying things I've ever had to do in a game. (And be forewarned, you will want to do the Temple when you're out of earshot of other people. Played this on a flight to Europe and the man next to me thought I was insane for yelling every time the timer ran out.)
  
  It's a classic Zelda game with a great new control scheme, pure and simple. Highly reccommended, but slightly difficult.
  
  
• The Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass review
  By A1D3U5OXC1FOFC on 2007-10-06
  The Legend of zelda series started out in the late 18th's century and now Zelda Phantom Hourglass has come. Is the Hourglass full of sand or will it break. This is the first Zelda game to come to the newest portable consol, the nintendo DS, and it uses all of it's sensitive touch screen. Showing its first appearence in 2006 with it's magneficent trailer, you probably thought you couldn't wait to get your hands on it. Well guess what, your absolutly right. Their have been many negative comments about this game and your not going to read it here. I have been with the franchise since i was 6 years old, have have played this for 8 years and i got to tell this Zelda ain't broke.
  
  Zelda Phantom Hourglass is the sequal of the Wind Waker for the nintendo GamecCube. Tetra (known as zelda) is missing and of course are old friend with the green tunic Link is off again to save her. But this time a strange mysterious ghost ship is in the picture, no spoilers here. Link then finds himself stuck in an island and thats how his adventure starts out. Of course sooner or later you'll be in long dungeons that we all come to know and love. And as your adventure progresses you will be incountering all sourts of new and interesting characters and weapons.
  
  As you can see in the front case of the game theirs our heroec Link and a new character by his side. I'll keep this as a secret until you get the game but i would so called call him as the Captain Jack Sparow. Where Zelda Phantom Hourglass really shines is with it's mechanicle gameplay. Now by far i have loved how nintendo really tried out this new gameplay by using the Ds 's hardware. In the bottom screen you move Link by the stylus in your hand. Not only that you slice, tap, and poke the pen around the screen to make Link swing his sword, talk to character's, use device's and much more.
  
  According to everybody with the game, they have incounterd that the graphics are fantastic. And if you dont think so your colored blind. Nintendo has truly put great detail into the games graphics, with the Ds's 3D perspective. You do not want to go back to the gameboys advances graphics after you played this game. I would have to say that the music is probably the best in any zelda franchise period. The composers truly out done themselfs.
  
  To conclude this review, I would have to say this is the best nintendo DS game out their by far. With it's prescise gameplay control, incredible graphics, and oustanding music, it's hard enough to give this game a low rating. These might not be prescice but im just going to throw some numbers at you, were talking about a 15 to 25 hour game. If you go threw all the side quests and settings such it's new multiplayer function. Don't waste your time listening to us, go play this game for your self.
  
  Gameplay: 9.5
  
  Graphics: 9.7
  
  Music: 10
  
  Presentation: 9.0
  
  
  9.6
  
  
  Thanks for reading
  
  
  
• Review by my 8 year old- Akshay
  By A2RWOFSSBCPK13 on 2007-10-07
  I just bought the game. It is very cool. I like it more than Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. I like it more than New Super Mario Bros too.
  
  This game is about Zeld'a adventure. She has to fight some monsters and bad guys to go through various levels, before going through the final level. It includes some writing too. Graphics is pretty good. It is a little violent, but it is OK.
  
  You could do WIC connection. My brother also enjoys it. We look forward to the adventure everday day. Or whenever my dad allows me to play.
  
  Buy this game you won't be disappointed.
  
  
  
• Great game for the DS, while a bit short, overall a good bye.
  By A203828W9INVQC on 2007-10-08
  First off, this game utilizes the DS capabilities quite well. At the start the lack of ability to use the arrows was irksome, but I quickly got used to the touch screen. It allows lots of versatility so you can switch between weapons and items quickly.
  
  The Phantom Hourglass is like much of its Zelda predecessors, especialy Windwaker. While it has boat sailing as the primary mode of transportation,it is not as time consuming as Windwaker's sailing voyages, and feels much more enjoyable. As in Windwaker there are warp points that you can discover later in the game, and also the ability to search for treasure on the ocean floor. Searching the ocean floor for treasure, or "Salvaging" as it is called is a fun little mini game were you drag a crane down through the water, avoiding mine like enemies. Usually you will find either ship parts(another new idea) or sand for your Phantom Hourglass. Besides salvaging there are several other mini games like the other Zelda games(such as archery practice, cannon accuracy practice, etc).
  
  The main difference I found in Phantom Hourglass was a dungeon you enter several times throughout the coarse of the game called the Temple of the Ocean King. The Temple of the Ocean King is basically a dungeon in which you have a certain amount of time(the time in your Phantom Hourglass) to reach your goal(which gets progressivly lower in level). Inside there are safe spots, in which your hourglass does not lose time, and you cannot be attacked by the phantoms that patrol the corridors. Phantoms are armored knight like guys who are invincible until the end of the game(Accept in certain instances were you can lure them into traps or roll boulders onto them). You must sneak past phantoms or shoot them in the back with an arrow(which momentarily stuns them). Since phantoms will drain 30 seconds off your hourglass and send you to the start of the level, stealth is extremly important. Not only must you deal with the phantoms, but you must also find the way to go down to the next level(usually involving hitting a series of switches and collecting a key to open a locked door.). Over time, from defeating boss battles or finding sand in a sunken chest, you can venture deaper into the Ocean King's Temple.
  
  There are numerous side quests in Phantom Hourglass, mainly the collection of ship parts(which can increase your ship's stamina.), the collection of spirit gems which provide buffs such as, damage reduction, extra sword damage, and the ability to shoot beams out of your sword. Then there is also the classic trading sequence that has been used in earlier Zelda games. You find X item which you trade to Y guy for Z item to trade to Another guy and so on and so on.
  
  There is also a fun mini game you can play either with friends(who don't need a Phantom Hourglass game3 pack) or over wifi. The game is very simple, one player plays as Link, while the other plays as 3 phantoms. Link must run around grabbing Triforce triangles to carry back to his base, while the 3 phantoms are controlled by drawing lines that they will follow, and must stop Link(by running into him) getting the Triforce triangles. Once Link is caught, the sides switch and the other player tries to get Triforce triangles.
  
  The main problems I had with Phantom Hourglass was the short life of the game. There are only 6 dungeons in the entire game, which are much shorter than most zelda games. This game cannot have taken me more than 20 hours to complete, and I found 15 of the 16 heart containers, and 41 of the 60 spirit gems. However, I feel that those 20 hours are well worth the money to buy this game.
  
  Pros
  
  - Same, fun, Zelda game we all expect
  - Fun mini games
  - Temple of the Ocean King provides a more fast passed stealth side to the game
  - Well adapted to DS, with lots of inventive mini games and ways to solve puzzles
  - No more long sailing trips like Windwaker
  - Nice pleasing cell shaded graphics, the game has a good feel.
  - Fun multiplayer(wifi and DS connect with just one game)
  Cons
  
  - No more heart pieces ;_; (just heart containers)
  - Short (about 20 hours for an experienced Zelda player)
  
  
  
• True to the Zelda Legacy!
  By A2EZNOV0LMTTYV on 2007-10-05
  This game is one of the best games available for the Nintendo DS. It no doubt has the best graphics of any DS game, and is pushing New Super Mario Bros. as the best DS game to date. I am glad I was able to find a copy the day it came out, because this game is a lot of fun. The dungeons are a bit easy for experienced Zelda fans, but it doesn't detract from the fun. I do agree with other reviewers that the touch-screen and microphone use are a bit forced at times, but it is still an A+ game, and I highly recommend you pick up a copy! It may have Windwaker graphic but it stays true to the Zelda legacy, and is spectacular for a handheld!
  
  
• A welcome debut on the DS
  By A1AISPOIIHTHXX on 2007-10-05
  Like a lot of franchises, the Legend of Zelda tends to add a couple of different gameplay mechanics to make it feel like a different game, but fundamentally you're still getting the same thing. But when you have the "if it ain't broke..." adage fitting perfectly, one can understand Nintendo's reluctance to completely overhaul the series. With Phantom Hourglass, it's kind of like Minish Cap-style presentation with some of the more unique controls found in Twilight Princess. Does it make it a great game? Well it certainly does have the classic gameplay but it might not have the classic status of Ocarina of Time or even an underrated one like the Oracle series.
  
  Story: Taking place a couple months after Wind Waker, Link is onboard the pirate ship with Tetra when they come across a mysterious ghost ship. Mind on treasure, Tetra goes onboard only to disappear and Link thrown overboard. He arrives on an island and with the help of a ship captain, Linebeck and a fairy named Ciela, Link searches for the ship to save his friend.
  
  Graphics: Some might find it similar to Final Fantasy III's DS remake but that doesn't mean the graphics are bad. In fact, this is probably some of the most detailed and lively graphics on the DS. It really does have that kind of "miniature Gamecube" feel in some of the scenes.
  
  Sound/Music: Zelda at times had the best music when it stuck to the familiar themes. Not saying the music's bad here, of course not, but there's times where you like the music playing but there really isn't that distinctive theme until you go "hey wait, is that a remixed version of Zelda's Lullaby?" But maybe it's just me.
  
  Gameplay: Last time it was changing into a wolf, now, um, well there is the titular hourglass. Beating bosses fills up the hourglass a bit which allows more time to complete the dungeon of the Ocean King. Getting more items allows further access into the dungeon. It's a nice idea but it would nice if we didn't feel like going through the floors again in order to get to the next section. There is a halfway point but it would be nice if you can "zap" to the next section.
  
  Along with Twilight Princess, this is probably one of the most different in terms of controlling Link. Done entirely (let me repeat, ENTIRELY, no control pad here) with the stylus, Link at times even controls better. Instead of locking in, you just tap the enemy and Link lunges with his sword; do a swipe and he'll horizontal slash or draw a circle around Link and he'll spin dash. Even using items like boomerangs and bombs are funner to use thanks to user-controlled flight paths for the former or precise throwing for the latter.
  
  It's moving Link around the field that feels unpolished. Have the stylus farther away from Link and he runs, closer and he's slower or draw circles on the outside of the screen and he'll roll. There are times where you fall off cliffs because you pushed too far away, causing a sprint rather than a walk and rolls can be a pain to pull off. There was also a couple times where you have bomb flowers and pointing to them has Link pick them and instead you sword swipe them, causing them to explode in your face.
  
  The sailing's more easier now. You just draw a path on your map and take a breather while firing a cannon now and then at enemies. However, it's this streamlining that might bug players who don't like the decrease in difficulty. Gone are the days of Link to the Past and the Oracle series where you can get easily stomped if you're not careful, Minish and Hourglass have a more accessible difficulty where you're not cursing the game because of one frustrating dungeon - Water Temple, anyone? - but still, the game depends on your skill as a Zelda gamer. Newbies can easily grasp it eventually while veterans might find the lack of difficulty disturbing. (heh heh, Star Wars reference).
  
  If you've beaten Twilight Princess, Phantom Hourglass will easily tide you over. It's fun, not challenging and probably not the best Zelda recently but it's Zelda and that means enjoyable gameplay.
  
  
• Fun, but falls short...
  By A1WX5D3H4P5EOE on 2007-12-30
  First off, this is a Zelda game. That means it's a good purchase and you should get it. However, this was easily my least favorite game in the entire franchise (WindWaker is my top in the series for comparison).
  
  This game could have been really great but for one thing. The main attraction in a Zelda game in in the intricate dungeons and this game is severely lacking. There are a good number of dungeons... that's not the problem. But When playing a Zelda game, entering a new dungeon should evoke excitement and adventure. It should make you think, "whew... here we go!". Getting the new item in a dungeon should make you go "Aaaaah! Now I know how to get through those last 10 rooms!" and should be exciting.
  
  This game had none of this feeling. Every dungeon but one seemed very short and was more like simply traveling through a cave with embellishments rather than a full-blown dungeon. Some of the bosses were cool, but you would reach them so quickly after entering a dungeon that they didn't have time to build up the suspense.
  
  Honestly, if this game were not part of the Zelda franchise, I would have given it 4 stars, but being Zelda I really did have higher expectations. Still worth buying, but not worthy of the name "Zelda".
  
  
• Decent Zelda Title
  By A1RC7VJWV8CST on 2008-04-14
  This game was a little different for me. I'm so used to using the D-pad to control the character that controlling everything via stylus was the most frustrating thing for me in this game. I got used to it after a bit and died countless times because the stylus either didn't respond to what I wanted to do or I overcorrected and fell off of something. Other than that this game was great. The storyline was awesome, the ability to customize your ship was nice, and the "dungeons" werent too difficult, which I really enjoyed. Plus, if you register it online with Nintendo you get a free special "feather" stylus to go with the game... pretty cool. I didn't think the game was too short like some reviewers have wrote. I'm actually glad it didn't go on longer. Most Zelda handheld games I've played have disappointed me and didn't live up to the Zelda standard, but this game does.
  
  
• zelda phantom hourglass
  By ALFMI20U81BES on 2007-10-08
  great game.. I got it the first day it came out. I like that you get more freedom controlling the boomerang. You have to collect sea charts to go the next dungeon across the sea. Wit hthe use of the ship, you can explore many islands. Overall perfect game.
  
  
• Beautiful and Intuitive, Zelda delivers
  By A39Y6Y9FHUXE6Q on 2007-10-21
  Let me start by saying that this is the most beautiful game on the DS to date. Zelda has always been a game I loved, I never played it till the N64 version of Zelda:OOT was released and It quickly became my favorite. I have played every Zelda game since then. A few months ago, I finished the newest Zelda for the Wii, Twilight Princess, and although it was a very good game I felt that the Wii controls was just added for the sake of it as you could play the Gamecube version with a regular controller and it wouldn't change the experience. I can't say the same for the Phantom Hourglass, the stylus controls gives the game a whole new perspective. It's not perfect but the way Nintendo incorporated the stylus is just brilliant, you really have to think out of the box in order to solve some puzzles. It might take a while before you get use to the controls but its definitely something DS owners should experience.
  
  
• The Legend of Zelda; Phantom Hourglass (9/10)
  By A975RXEXGS69F on 2007-11-06
  For all intents and purposes this is how a Zelda game should be on the Nintendo DS.
  
  The story is the usual save the princess, deafeat the bad guy, but instead of the normal castle, she is held prisoner on a ghost ship, which makes sense for this more pirate and oceanic world themed game. As a sequal to the Wind Waker it just doesn't seem as epic. I liked the story line but didn't feel as attached to a lot of the characters like in previous games. In my opinion this is the games weakpoint. I'd give it a good 7/10
  
  The controlls are wonderfully incorporated using the touch screen to its fullest potential to solve all sorts of interesting puzzles, engaging combat, ocean navigation, using your weapons, navigating the menus, and simply moving. Also the abillity to write on the map is one of the best ideas I've ever seen in a zelda game. There are also puzzles that involve the use of all the other features of the DS including the microphone and folding the Dual Screens together. These are the most intuitive controls I've ever played with. Controlls are perfect so I'll give it a 10/10
  
  For the DS, the 3D graphics while you navigate the ocean are great. While during dungeons and island hopping you still get the classic top down view, enhanced by the great cell shaded visuals. On top of that the second screen has an ever present map which is very very usefull. Graphics are excellent but could be slightly better 9/10
  
  Sound is good, using some of the same musical themes and sounds from the Wind Waker while adding some new ones as well. Sound effects are pretty good. Overall sound is 8/10
  
  So to recap:
  Story: 7/10
  Controlls: 10/10
  Graphics: 9/10
  Sound: 8/10
  OVERALL: 9/10
  
  
• Link debuts on Nintendo DS Lite!
  By A2YBQCX2AGS8A1 on 2007-11-16
  I loooove this game! I can't get enough of its innovation and creative gameplay. This is the first game since I played The Legend of Zelda on the NES. "The Phantom Hourglass" picks up where "Wind Waker" left off, but right away, I was drawn to its storyline, its character control, and the way it incorporates every feature of the DS (i.e. you can blow on the mic in certain puzzles). So far, there isn't anything about it that I don't like about it, though some Zealots might not like the animation style (I enjoy the style, having been introduced in "The Minnish Cap." In short, buy this game, even if you never played The Legend of Zelda, you won't be disappointed.
  
  
• Good game... but
  By A8NIU3W5XAR38 on 2008-02-19
  Everyday I have a long commute on a train I have to take to and from work so I play my DS a lot to pass the time. I got Zelda since I've been a long fan ever since the first good ol' NES version. I thought this Zelda was a good game, but I couldn't possibly play it on the train. Even though I had the sound turned all the way down in certain spots music still came out of the speakers! Also, people look at me weird when I have to start blowing at my DS, I wish there could have been a button option to replace the blowing. And only being allowed to use the stylist made my wrist start to ache after awhile. It would of been nice if I could have had the option to be able to play off the D pad for at least some of the game, all of the buttons besides the power button are utterly useless.
  
  Now with all that said, this is a great game... I just wish the developers could have designed this game with the above mentioned in mind.
  
  
• Meh...
  By A24R806NV66XSN on 2008-05-03
  I really tried to like this game. But there's just too much backtracking involved. Throw a ship into the mix and you've got hours of tedious sailing too. Every time you go and find a hint or a clue you have to return to the main dungeon and go through the same things you've cleared before until you reach a lower level that was previously unaccessible. It gets very frustrating and just isn't that much fun. It hurts me to give a Zelda game a low rating, but this one wasn't good. At all.
  
  
  
  
• Not Just a Kids' Game
  By A2PSO0LLXG3BBI on 2008-07-14
  There are already lots of good reviews, so I thought I'd just add another perspective. I'm 53 years old, and I resisted this game for a long time, thinking it was just for kids. It looks like a silly kids' game, after all. But I thoroughly enjoyed it!
  
  I normally play games only in single-player mode, and some games just aren't designed with that in mind. This one is. It's a story-driven adventure, complete with a variety of challenges and minigames. I followed along with a strategy guidebook, which helped when I got stumped. But overall, I found the game to be just challenging enough to hold my interest, without being daunting or frustrating.
  
  Some reviewers complain about the repetition. I didn't find that intolerable. Yeah, you may revisit the same place many times, but it's something of a new challenge each time, and I rather enjoyed getting more and more familiar with the situations, better at handling them.
  
  My only complaint (besides the cartoonish graphics and juvenile story, which still do go against my grain) is that it's not a replayable game. I don't suppose games of this type ever are. Once you've devoted many hours to making your way through the story, you're finished, and then it's time to buy another game. That's great for the game's publisher, but not necessary so great for the consumer. Personally I favor classic games like backgammon or chess, which are infinitely replayable.
  
  Yet, there's something wonderful and compelling about a game which draws you into the story and carries you along. You end up feeling like you're enjoying a genuine (albeit imaginary) adventure. Sitting back in an easy chair with a game like this is a little like reading a fun novel or watching a movie, only you get to participate in the action at your own pace and be the star of the movie as it unfolds.
  
  
  
  
• Eh... wait till the price goes down.
  By A2YLQ1ZOU4X29Z on 2007-11-14
  As everyone above me said, it is a nice game. For the DS controls, it is great- some of the best ideas were incoorporated into it. However, it is way too easy & way too short. A big disappointment for a very loyal Zelda fan like me.
  
  
  
  
• A Fun and Engaging Game
  By A29BQ6B90Y1R5F on 2007-11-20
  Zelda games are usually good. And this time Nintendo has decided to put a spin on the series by making a game that is controlled entirely by the touch screen. The result is a game that's good, but not perfect. While it still has some pretty great elements, you can't help but wish you had a D-Pad option as well.
  
  Link and Tetra are hunting for a Ghost ship as the game begins. The ship appears and Tetra boards it. When something goes wrong, Link attempts to save her, but instead falls into the ocean. He washes up on the shore of an island where a fairy named Ciela agrees to help him find Tetra. He'll have to be prepared, though. He's about to go on a long journey.
  
  Phantom Hourglass is a great addition to the Zelda library. The story is a good one. Carried out, of course, by dialog boxes. Much like many of Nintendo's franchises, there isn't really any voice acting here. Not a problem. The presentation of the game is good enough. Actually, in terms of bringing out 3D effects, this is probably one of the DS's best looking games to date. There are moments where some things look a little pixilated, but it still looks good. It doesn't play like the 3D adventures, however. No matter how powerful the DS is, this game still plays similar to the other handheld games. That is to say you're not in a 3D environment. It's an overhead view of everything. So it's not an entirely 3D world.
  
  The control scheme is what makes Phantom Hourglass such a unique experience. The game is entirely touch screen oriented. You'll use the stylus to lead Link around. You can make him pick up pots and barrels by tapping on them and tapping on an empty section of the screen to throw them. By tracing a quick ring on the screen you can make Link roll.
  
  Even better is swordplay and using items. You'll tap on enemies to make Link stab them. You can perform a horizontal slash by drawing a straight line. You can perform a spinslash by drawing a quick circle around Link. Even using items is put to good use. You'll draw a path for the boomerang to follow when you throw it, for example. You can make Link toss bombs to certain locations. Using the bow and arrows has never been easier.
  
  A lot of the games challenge comes from the puzzles rather than the enemies, though. The touch screen controls make taking out most enemies, including bosses, relatively easy. The game may introduce a new mechanic but its entirely too easy to take advantage of. Along those lines, the controls are sometimes a bit touchy. It can be taxing to make Link roll, for example. It can also be annoying when you do something you don't mean to do at all. It's a pain when you want to make Link do one thing and he does something else. So while the controls are good, they can be a bit touchy at times.
  
  During play, the map is displayed at the top at all times. During play, you can bring it down and mark on it. Throughout your journey characters will constantly be telling you where to go and show you on the map. It helps to mark it. It also helps when solving certain puzzles as well.
  
  All these controls are tight and intuitive, but they're not for everyone. It's a shame Nintendo didn't put in the option to switch controls to the more traditional D-Pad and buttons. There are some gamers, without a doubt, who would've loved to have this option.
  
  Phantom Hourglass is a great game. The controls work well. They can be touchy at times, and its a shame Nintendo didn't put in an option to change them up, but at least the end product is one that many Zelda fans will enjoy.
  
  Pros:
  
  +Good storyline
  +Fantastic graphics
  +Good music
  +Intuitive controls
  +Great dungeon designs
  
  Cons:
  
  -There's no option to switch to the more traditional D-Pad and button controls
  -Sometimes the controls are quite touchy
  
  
• Best game for the DS
  By A1S8DUAWE9OW7C on 2007-11-26
  This game has to be the best game made for the DS. Especially if you love Zelda.
  
  The storyline starts off well and it seemingly is getting better. The graphics of the game is superb for a DS. I can tell that the developers put a lot of thought into using the best compatibilities out of the DS.
  
  Enhancing the gameplay using the stylus is great! It's not complicated and the puzzles in the games are not too difficult to put some thought into it. I love the way the sword fighting is, although it is a little simple. This game is awesome. Anyone should give this game a try!
  
  A few cons about the game is that it would be nice to scroll through dialog with using the buttons instead of the stylus all the time, and controlling link like that would be helpful too. Well those are just minor things. I haven't found any major flaws to the game yet. ^^
  
  
• SOOOO Fun to play!
  By A11SLRLPBK52SF on 2007-12-20
  I'm not a gamer (really!)... I've a newbie and only have been playing baby games like Brain Age and Mario... After seeing the advertisement and commercials (daily!)and reviews about Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, I finally ordered one =]. The game is fun and does not take a brainer to figure out the puzzle and such. I've just finish the game today and still wandering around for the sidequests. The story, even though not so original, is captivating and easy to follow.
  
  I like the way the dialogue goes- kind of hip not so Lord of the Ring with those medieval conversations. I gave the game five star because the graphic is great for a DS game and the fun side of it (not too hard that you give up and not too easy that'll bore you). Two words: AWESOME game! A must HAVE. Will absolutely recommend to anyone with a DS.
  
  

• Electronic Gaming Monthly
• Play
• Tips & Tricks Magazine

• New Super Mario Bros.
• Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (Prima Official Game Guides)
• Super Mario Galaxy
• Mario Kart DS
• Mario Party DS