The Legend of Zelda - The Phantom Hourglass is Link's first adventure on The Nintendo DS released after The Twilight Princess. The Phantom Hourglass was released in Japan in June 2007 and October 2007 for North America and The UK. The game features cel-shaded graphics those used in The Wind Waker with a look down perspective camera view. The stylus is used for controls and features amongst the game along with the microphone.

The Phantom Hourglass Story

The story follows on from The Wind Waker Hyrule is covered by The Great Sea. Whilst Link is Travelling on Tetra's Pirate Ship the two discover a Ghost Ship. Tetra boards the mysterious boat and screams for help but once Link tries to climb aboard he falls into the ocean. Washed up on an Island Link discovers a new fairy friend called Ciela. Exploring the island Link finds The Phantom Hourglass and is informed by a wise old man named Oshus that he must sail the seas in search of vital items. With the help of S.S Linebeck Link starts out to find Tetra.

How The Phantom Hourglass was Brought to Life

A press conference was held in 2004 by Nintendo stated that ideas were brought about bring Four Swords to The Nintendo DS. At the E3 show of 2005 it was announced that a new Zelda title was being developed for The Nintendo DS. It wasn't until 200 6 that a demo of The Phantom Hourglass was showcased and presented as a demo. It was originally announced that the game would be released in time for the holiday season of that year Christmas 2006.

The development team that worked on The Legend of Zelda - The Four Swords Adventures were responsible for the work on The Phantom Hourglass. In the original demos action took heed on the upper screen of The Nintendo DS while the touch screen was a map that allowed Link to be controlled upon. This would have caused distraction from the main action of the game.

How The Phantom Hourglass Plays

The Legend of Zelda - The Phantom Hourglass returns to winning Zelda gameplay formula with new features making use of The Nintendo DS. Link can sail with the aid of Linebeck and his ship to sail to an island you draw a path on the touch screen and press go there is action at the bottom screen where your ship can be sunk so you'd better not take your finger off the gas and be prepared for enemies rising from The Great Sea. On Land the traditional look down view is adopted and you can control Link by using the stylus or you can bring down your map to make notes. On some of the big boss battles both screens of The Nintendo DS come into play and you must watch the boss' moves carefully to avoid being crushed.

There is a multiplayer battle mode featured on The Phantom Hourglass it's a one on one in an arena by where one player controls The Hero of Time and the other player controls three of The Phantom Guardians. Both players can collect power-up items that randomly appear on the field. The player controlling The Phantom Guardians must capture Link before he collects the force gem and return it to from where he started. Once Link is captured by The Phantom Guardians players will swap over and the roles will be reversed. This is the third game in The Legend of Zelda series to feature multiplayer mode.

Links Greatest Handheld Adventure

This is a great first Zelda quest for The Nintendo DS and it's one of the best Legend of Zelda games to date. The follow up Spirit Tracks is looking like a sequel and similar gameplay which I myself wouldn't mind because I felt Phantom Hourglass had everything about it typical Zelda gameplay with new features using The Nintendo DS controls. This is definitely one for fans of The Wind Waker.

Sounds - Good for The Nintendo DS and good use of the microphone.

Graphics - Done very nicely, cel-shaded similar to The Wind Waker.

Replayability - If your mates have got the game you'll have fun with the multiplayer function.

I Award The Phantom Hourglass: 9/10

Facts & Secrets Nintendo originally planned to bring Four Swords to The DS however The Phantom Hourglass was developed a good move I think you'll agree. Whilst building up parts for your boat use them from the same category to strengthen your defense equaling in more hearts while out on The Great Sea.

Zelda is copyrighted to Nintendo

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