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The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

Published: Thu 15 Nov, 2007 | On:

Is there anything a stylus can’t do? Perhaps the question should be rephrased: is there anything it shouldn’t do? Developers have wrestled with that thought since before the Nintendo DS shipped in 2004. The answer isn’t easy. If done incorrectly in either case, gamers will think the developer took the “easy way out” by using the traditional D-pad controls or by using the touch screen as nothing more than a gimmick to increase sales.

Though that does make the game less complex than series’ veterans will expect (or desire), it is not unhealthy for the franchise, nor does it remove the very essence that has made Zelda the best and most cloned action/RPG series. Rather, it does the complete opposite. The controls – combined with memorable, DS-specific stages and puzzles – take the game to an exciting and adventurous place. Much like the levels you’ll explore, Phantom Hourglass could be compared to the various islands in the Zelda series. It’s beautiful, remarkable, and sits a few hundred feet off shore of its predecessors.

Inside and out, the game is the very definition of handheld beauty. I’m not just referring to the graphics. The gameplay is gorgeous. It's seeping with stellar combat and ingenious puzzles. Long-time fans will be stunned by how well this masterpiece has been converted into a touch-only adventure.

Zelda speaks to the hardcore crowd, a group that’s been collecting Tri-Force pieces since the 80s. But if you’ve ever wondered about Link’s many journeys, Phantom Hourglass will do what its predecessors have done and turn you into an addict.