Link is an amazing role model that kids can enjoy. Also another highlight is Lineback doesn't want the treasure in the end!!
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The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
(2007, Video Games - Adventure, Rated E, Play it on: Nintendo DS)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Innovative gameplay makes this Zelda soar.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 9 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass was written by Erin Bell
Parents need to know that this game is a sequel to Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker on the GameCube, but kids don't need to have played Wind Waker first. The game has bloodless fantasy violence with swords, bombs, and so on, but since the main character gains no experience points from defeating monsters, players can avoid confrontation by side-stepping them in most cases. Aside from the fighting, there's no questionable content to note.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about how the character of Link is an unselfish hero whereas Captain Linebeck is cowardly and greedy. What does Link do and say that makes him into a hero, and how do Linebeck's actions brand him as a scoundrel? Do you like to play video games that are tied to an established brand the way this game is? If so, why? Did this game live up to your expectations?
More on The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
What’s the Story?
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: PHANTOM HOURGLASS is the sequel to the GameCube's The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, continuing the story line and featuring cut scenes rendered in the same cartoonish style. Players once again control the boy Link as he sets out to rescue his pirate pal Tetra after she gets kidnapped during an encounter with a mysterious ghost ship. All the staples that have made the Zelda series so popular over the years are accounted for, including ingeniously designed dungeons, action-oriented gameplay based around Link's trusty sword and shield, and plenty of secret areas to discover. Here's the twist: It's entirely possible to play through Phantom Hourglass using only the stylus -- controlling Link in this manner will soon seem second nature.
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Is It Any Good?
It's remarkable how thoroughly and effortlessly Phantom Hourglass exploits the unique features of the Nintendo DS. To throw Link's boomerang, for example, you draw a line with the stylus telling the projectile where to go, which opens up all sorts of puzzle possibilities involving throwing it around corners and over chasms to trigger switches. Players will also find themselves charting courses for the ship by drawing a line from point A to point B on the sea map, signing their name to receive packages from the mailman, blowing into the microphone to snuff out candles, and labeling points of interest on an interactive map that is then displayed on the upper screen.
The adventure itself would be plenty, but Phantom Hourglass also features an innovative battle mode that two players can play over local Wi-Fi. Although abandoning the directional pad for the stylus might be a leap of faith for longtime Zelda fans, Phantom Hourglass doesn't disappoint.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 10/01/2007, price $34.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E
ESRB rating: E
Our Members Say
See all 19 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
- Easy to play
Great for anyone who can pick up a DS and play
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
r
ok
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
perfect for 10+ 9+ ok
love it
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Easy to play
Perfect Zelda series raises the bar above the ceiling thanks to the innovativeness of Shigeru Miyamoto.
People who love Zelda should get off the computer and pick up this game at the nearest store. Everyone else should, too. Zelda has always been a game where the story never changes: The controls, environment, and just about everything else does, however. Taking place after the events of Wind Waker, you play as link trying to rescue his pirate-friend Tetra from the evil people. The controls, however, is very innovative. For example, you do almost everything using the touch screen. While this may seem overwhelming at first, the interface is very user-friendly. The top screen acts like a map, and pressing a button, the map drops to the bottom screen, allowing you to draw notes, like the answer to a puzzle in a dungeon that remain there if you die and return to the entrance(Zelda fans know how much this feature is useful.) Another cool feature is a particular boss battle where the boss is invisible. On the bottom screen, as usual, you control link. However, on the top screen, the map disappears and becomes a first-person view of the boss! All in all, this game is truly amazing, and with Link being such a good role model (fighting for good) you will have no reason whatsoever to not buy this game. Check it out!
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
this game is a good game. it is fun and cool. my favorite thing to do is attack the chicken because when the chicken turns red all these other chicken start attacking.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 33% | of parents feel the site is safe |
| 33% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 33% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 33% | of parents say it's too violent |
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