Joystiq impressions: Phantom Hourglass, The Legend of Zelda
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jul 20th 2007 at 4:22PM }
Like most Zelda titles, Phantom Hourglass (and the E3 demo) begins with the basics, coaxing newcomers into the franchise. These routines can be tiresome for experienced players, but the new control system was different enough to make the tutorial sequences enjoyable, and frequent cut scenes helped to draw our attention into the narrative -- and brought out some of DS's less celebrated hardware potentials. But again, it was the touch screen that truly impressed; the satisfaction of commanding Link with stylus strokes, and the ability to do so as we go about our mobile routines.
Having been released in Japan nearly a month ago, Phantom Hourglass is already complete (save for the localization efforts) and earning praise. There's little we can add to what information is already available about the game. But, if you're looking for our assurance, Phantom Hourglass is still a must-play, now more than ever.
Gallery: Zelda - Phantom Hourglass
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
flameofdoom666 @ Jul 20th 2007 4:28PM
Woohoo! I'm glad to hear the controls "work" well!
flameofdoom666 @ Jul 20th 2007 4:29PM
and I was first.. woohoo! hehe :-)
hvnlysoldr @ Jul 20th 2007 4:39PM
Couldn't you have replied that to the first post?
JodyAnthony @ Jul 20th 2007 4:29PM
looks and plays great. I can't wait for release day
jadenguy @ Jul 21st 2007 7:21PM
for rolling, you should have tried just making a sort of double-stab at the edge of the screen. works just as well. and yeah, wow, everything about the game works extremely well.
Word of the street. @ Jul 20th 2007 4:37PM
I dont have a DSLite X(.
Jerk Face @ Jul 20th 2007 4:41PM
Weird! After reading those hardware sales numbers, I figured EVERYONE had to have one at this point!
And honestly, for the price you can't beat it. It has an excellent selection of games. GO BUY ONE, JERK!
Anam @ Jul 20th 2007 5:54PM
I don't have a DS Lite either.
I do, however, have a DS Phat. I bought one RIGHT BEFORE they announced the DS Lite... it's like a gray, jagged box of shame.
ThornedVenom @ Jul 21st 2007 12:32AM
I have a DS Phat... I don't regret it at all because the size and heft feels right. =)
But that goes with using a DS lite stylus. >_
tactics @ Jul 20th 2007 4:45PM
software dry spell? what the HELL are you talking about?
-"superfan" tactics.
t_m @ Jul 21st 2007 8:58AM
i'm confused too.. i can't BUY DS games fast enough to play them before another one i want comes out...
eatrice @ Jul 20th 2007 4:56PM
Don't know if anyone can answer this, but do you think it is worth playing through Wind Waker before playing this game?
Excited for the DS version, but hesitant about going back to the GC controller. TP's control spoiled me.
NintendoFanbot @ Jul 20th 2007 5:04PM
I'd recommend playing through Windwaker at least once. The controls aren't as complex as TP while there is a lot of adventure and memorable characters and story moments. :)
Personally my favorite Zelda is TP but before TP it was Windwaker.
accidental @ Jul 20th 2007 5:44PM
Don't worry about going back to the GC controller dude. Or at least don't let that worry stop you from playing Wind Waker – it's amazing.
eatrice @ Jul 20th 2007 6:56PM
Cool. Thanks!
Mr Khan @ Jul 20th 2007 5:02PM
It would be FUN to play through the windwaker again, but the similarities are minimal, as far as i know
Last i heard, the game's boating sequences were pre-rendered. You would draw the route you would follow ahead of time, and then follow that route. The item mechanics are now touch-based (although not in a bad way at all), and the only thing that you have to know is the end of the windwakers story, really
accidental @ Jul 20th 2007 5:52PM
If they were pre-rendered wouldn't there be no option to choose your course, and you just select your destination?
Or by pre-rendered did you mean pre-determined?
aaron @ Jul 20th 2007 7:04PM
Zelda? more like CELDA!!
Word of the street. @ Jul 20th 2007 5:51PM
@ Jerk face
Make me buy it Jerk.
Well that out of the way,I been thinking about getting one but I dont know is there anything to play the Ds in a bigger screen?.I'm staying in home for the next couple of months so anything to play the Ds in a Pc,Tv or HDTV?,Maybe in the wii?.
The PSP had something called PSPTV is there anything like it?.I once saw a guy playing his GBA in his TV using the Gamecube.
Skippy @ Jul 20th 2007 6:51PM
No, there's no TV option. For one thing, it's 2 screens, and another thing, one is a touch screen, so it's not really feasible.
Megaqwerty @ Jul 21st 2007 9:43AM
Once Japan stops buying DS Lites some time in the next decade, Nintendo could potentially release something for the Wii that runs DS games, just as they did for the GCN and SNES.
In the mean time, you can mod the thing to have a Video-Out, as I believe you can import something to do that. Some soldering skills required though.
ThornedVenom @ Jul 21st 2007 12:37AM
It would be probable considering that the Gamecube had something to enable GBA stuff to be displayed on the screen... so yeah, there MIGHT be a possibility that you'd be able to play DS games on a big screen, but via the Wii in this case (shouldn't be THAT hard with wireless connectivity).
But just like what the previous commenter said, the touchscreen would be an issue because the stylus doesn't have a cursor like the wii remote, hence the need to look at your DS touch screen to see what the heck you're tapping.
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 20th 2007 5:59PM
@Word of the street.
Wow... you really are a noob.
The Game @ Jul 20th 2007 7:56PM
@ The Guy Who Asked About Windwaker
Dude, play that game! When I think of what are the best games I have ever played, at least in a specific genre. Windwaker is probably my favorite game of all time. Not only because the game, graphics, story, and gameplay were great, but because of the emotions it evokes and the fond memories I have of the era of when I was playing it. I remember the good times that I used to have playing that game, it brings me back just to think of it.
It comes to a point when a game is no longer a game. Like RE4 and such. When a "game" actually brings your own emotions into play and involves you that is when I believe it is somehting more.
Maybe its nostalgia or something, or just longing for those days. But Wind Waker is truely a piece of work and any one who likes video games should play it. Try it man you wont regret it. People complained about the sailing but I found it relaxing and added to the feel of actually traversing the sea.
Sorry for the long post but I am very passionate about that game. In my opinion it is the example of a "perfect game"
ThornedVenom @ Jul 21st 2007 12:41AM
I guess that Windwaker is what one would call art. =)
I can't believe that I still haven't fully played Ocarina of Time, Windwaker nor Twilight Princess (mostly because I'm a handheld gamer). I guess that's why I'm a bit hyped for Phantom Hourglass. ^^
t_m @ Jul 21st 2007 9:03AM
I'd say WW is still the best cell shaded game ever... it really feels like playing a cartoon. In a good way too!
The only thing that sucked were the BORING boat rides.. but for the plot, and the dramatic moments (such as the black and white and colour underwater city) its awesome.
Word of the street. @ Jul 20th 2007 8:26PM
@ Fernando Rocker
Maybe but you are going to die sooner than me:D.Really I never played a Zelda game before,I've been more into PC gaming with games like Diablo,Half life you know the classics.I had a NES and Snes but I never bought a Zelda game.I guess I really never care.
I really want to play this Zelda game tho'.
@ Skippy
Thats bad,Well thanks :(.
Now for some reason I want to play zelda.
jay @ Jul 20th 2007 9:42PM
Could the reason be that Zelda is home to the best games?
Word of the street. @ Jul 20th 2007 10:06PM
@ Jay
What?
Could you run that one again just for me?.
siro @ Jul 21st 2007 5:12AM
Of all Zelda games, I've played only Link to the Past, so I can't be considered a series fan at all. But I got me the DS version and must say, this is one of the most entertaining games I've ever played. It looks fantastic, really just oozes fun. Best part of course are the controls with some minor niggles. First being the on ship camera, I wish you could control your view by the dpad instead of dragging around (which works too slow!). Other thing being Link's rolling. Doesn't recognize it like half the times... But that's maybe me being crap at action adventures.
It feels so new, I can only agree with the perfect scores it's going to get.
Word of the street. @ Jul 23rd 2007 10:13PM
ThornedVenom
Ok thnx for the info.