Phantom Hourglass - The Legend of Zelda Walkthroughs, Guides, News, Music, Videos, Media and More

At the 2006 Game Developer’s Conference, fans saw the very first glimpse of what would become Link’s first quest on the Nintendo DS, Phantom Hourglass. The trailer showed off a game that completely utilized the Nintendo DS touch screen, rather than the more standard use of the d-pad and the control buttons. A year later when the game was released, fans were able to get their hands on a Zelda title unlike any one they have played before.

The entire game could be controlled using just the Nintendo DS stylus, using it to tap or swipe on the screen to strike with Link's sword or use the six unique items found throughout the game. The land is once again flooded in this title, meaning Link travels through the use of a steamboat equipped with a cannon to fend off foes, plotting courses across the waters using the stylus on the map, which you could also write notes on to solve puzzles or mark areas for clues or later secrets. Additionally, the game also utilized the Nintendo DS Microphone, which players could blow into or shout at in order to solve puzzles

Also unique to this game is a timed dungeon that you slowly work your way through, unlocking more floors to it as you progress through the game, collecting items within it that you need in order to enter the next dungeon in the outside world. Eventually, the goal is to complete the timed dungeon and rescue Tetra. Phantom Hourglass is a direct sequel of the Wind Waker, and carries over many aspects from the game, including the cel-shaded graphics, several of the characters, the game taking place on a series of islands that Link would sail to.