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  • $34.99
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The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (Nintendo DS)

common sense media says

Innovative gameplay makes this Zelda soar.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

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.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Non-graphic fantasy violence. Link's arsenal includes a sword, boomerang, and bombs. It's possible to side-step many enemies without fighting them.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Bars that serve milk are as heavy as it gets.

More on The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

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.

Is it any good?

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.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Nintendo DS
Not available online
Genre: Adventure
Developer: Nintendo
Released on: October 1, 2007
Price: 34.99
ESRB Rating: E

This review was written by Erin Bell
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11

Most useful reviews by all members

dreweth
teen, 16 years old
 
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!

 
Zelda rules!!
Link is a great role model. He always tries to do what's right and help others. This is an excellent game, as are all the Zelda games. However, this is probably my least favorite because of the repititon in the main dungeon. Even if you finish the dungeon once, you'll have to go back through it again and again for other tasks. This gets boring after a while. But other than that, good game. Great graphics!!

gamerboi
kid, 11 years old
 
LOVE IT!!!
I loved this game ever since I got it.But listen,DO NOT USE AN ACTION REPLAY ON THIS GAME!!!.

macmac300
kid, 11 years old
 
This game is fun but can get annoying. Every time you beat a dungeon you have to go to this place called The Ocean Temple. You do this dungeon 5 times I think and it gets more annoying each time. I would recommend The Legend Of Zelda Spirit Tracks

Fawned
teen, 16 years old
 
Improving..
It's a well made game, however it was too easy to play. The game after this, Spirit Tracks, is the same. Fighting monsters and Pirates was no problem and customizing the boat was not enjoyable. The storyline was very interesting and the music can make you listen to it again! Quite worth it, but needs more improving. I played a lot better Zelda games than this.

golder
teen, 17 years old
 
r
ok

bonso
kid, 11 years old
 
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.

wavymouth
parent of 8 and 15 year old
 
i must get this
since i know what most zelda games are like, i assume this is just as fun and review it as such. the only zelda i have complaints about is majora's mask. if you don't beat it in under 40 or 50 or something like that hours GAME OVER!!! yeah after dozens of hours that's right!

7Book_Lover7
kid, 12 years old
 
Third graders, your age appropriate game is calling.
This was a good game, however it was very easy to play.

Airlocke
teen, 17 years old
 
Super fun! Great!
This was an awesome game! I played it with no problems. Plus the puzzles are super fun and very challenging! This is a must get! For all Zelda fans!!! :)

clipper
kid, 11 years old
 
i liked it
i like fishing the most on ZELDA!

Silnin
teen, 16 years old
 

SweetDisposition
teen, 14 years old
 
Good game, except....
This game is a solid title, but I have 2 annoyances with it. 1. All touch screen controls. They work perfectly, but why can't I play the game with the d-pad? I guess I prefer classic style controls, is it too much to ask for the option to switch between control styles? 2. The water temple. Everything about this place annoyed me. First of all, it's run on a timer. The place is harder the further you get into it, and putting it on a timer is just devil-ish. All the enemies in the dungeon can ko you with one swing of their sword. This will make you loose time in the timer, and when your time runs out it's game over and you're send back to the start. This is the central dungeon of the game, you'll be coming back here time and time again. About halfway through the entire dungeon (after 4 or so visits) you can warp between the overworld and that point, but your timer remains the same (say I reach the halfway point with 6 minutes and warp out, when asked if I want to return I will have 6 minutes of time left). Because of this temple I somehow resisted the urge the throw my ds across the room many times. It's not that hard, just really annoying and tedious.

chrrr
parent of 15 year old
 
perfect for 10+ 9+ ok
love it

dylank
teen, 17 years old
 
Great.
Legend of Zelda does it again with the best game for the Nintendo DS. Worthy addition the the greatest series of Nintendo.

Bowler Hat Guy
teen, 14 years old
 
Great for anyone who can pick up a DS and play
Link is an amazing role model that kids can enjoy. Also another highlight is Lineback doesn't want the treasure in the end!!

shadowfire976
teen, 13 years old
 
common sense...
how can you say TP is 12+ and this 9+? both are 6+! CS you only stick to the ratings or say that they are not apropriate for people that age

gamerhead
kid, 13 years old
 
Good
Pretty good but i've played way better zelda games.

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