Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Action, Adventure
Rating: RP (Rating Pending)
Number of Players: 1-2
Release Date: US release September 1st, Europe release June 1, 2007

Phantom Hourglass Gallery

 Set on the Nintendo DS, Phantom Hourglass will utilize the awesome touch screen feature in a series of both single and multiplayer game modes.  For example, during story mode, the touch screen can predetermine where Link will throw his boomerang. It can even navigate through the vast ocean map, allowing the player to focus on dealing with enemies or puzzles while on the open sea.  Speaking of maps, the top screen will be a dedicated map screen of either dungeons or of the sea.  This 2-D map can also be dropped down to the lower screen allowing the user to create any notes such as which area they have been at or where they need to go.

A taste of what Zelda is shaping up to be

Gameplay will consist of new dungeons, puzzles, and mini games to challenge fans while allowing newbies an exciting and easy to understand introduction.  Along with the standard single player mode, there will also be the addition of a multiplayer game in which two players can battle 1 on 1 in a game of capture the flag.  Officially titled “Hide-and-Go-Seek” both players are set in an arena with one player in control of Link and the other player in control of three Phantom Guardians.  The player in control of Link must grab a Force Gem and return it to base without getting caught by any of the three Phantom Guardians. This Battle mode is a great addition to the Legend of Zelda series because it allows continual game-play after the single player mode has been completed.

Graphically, Phantom Hourglass will bring the standard 2-D layout of every previous Zelda handheld into a realm of 3-D visualizations.  Closely relating to the graphics that are contained in Animal Crossing for DS and Gamecube, Phantom Hourglass is a breath of fresh air into the handheld series.  Combining all the graphic changes, touch screen features, and multiplayer game modes, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is bound to be a great addition to many DS libraries.  After initial announcement of the title at the 2006 Gamers Development Conference, fans of the game were reassured during the 2007 GDC that the title will be set for a Holiday 2007 release.