Timeshift Thursday – Dee Ess Island

Hello, and welcome to another Timeshift Thursday feature where I delve deep sharing some of my all-time favourite areas from the Zelda series! This week, I want to take you back to Nintendo DS’ first ever Zelda title, Phantom Hourglass, which happens to contain a very special island situated in the Great Sea. I may be one of few gamers who actually enjoy Phantom Hourglass’ storyline and gameplay yet it was the first DS game I bought after I picked up the console and it does contain a special place in my heart.

This island we will take a look at today is very special because of its unique shape, physical appearance, and fun minigame which you can complete to gain a particular inventory item. We’ll also take a recap at what you can actually do on this actual island and how Nintendo used this special island’s shape to create a memorable experience for Zelda fans.

Click the jump if you would like to read more about this interesting island in Phantom Hourglass referred to as Dee Ess Island!

Dee Ess Island is a remarkable concept Nintendo implemented into Phantom Hourglass and could indeed be an inspiration of the discarded island (originally intended for The Wind Waker) talked about in the recently released Hyrule Historia which discusses an island shaped as another console called GameCube Island. Intriguingly, while sailing near the island, located in the southeastern quadrant of the Great Sea, it looks to be a DS Lite yet when Link is walking on the island itself it appears to represent the original DS model. Maybe Nintendo designed the island before the actual layout of the Great Sea?

You approach Dee Ess Island by docking on the stylus sticking out of its placement and walking toward the touch screen. This is where a couple of Gorons are situated and their special minigame has been set up for you to participate in. All you need to do is direct your friend Gongoron and break the thirty crystals which are planted around the island in under 35 seconds. If Link succeeds he wins a Bombchu Bag, rupees, ship parts, or other treasures. If Link walks up to the top screen he encounters a battle with two enemies known as Hinox. What is ironic here is that Nintendo seem to have purposely put a combat scene here to tell you that just as you normally look at a top screen to play your game titles (except for the DS Zelda titles) so also does Link need to fight via the top screen of the island. Food for thought either way it could be looked at.

I love the surprise that Nintendo has given for Dee Ess Island in that it does not appear on your sea chart until you gain close visuals of it and shout out, “Hey where did that island come from! It looks just like a DS!!!” It gave me a sense of yearning to explore this mysteriously designed uncharted island. I still remember the first time I noticed the island and its uniqueness; it was incredible. Its music is also a happy seaside tune fit for the theme Link is situated in to explore this island. Hopefully Nintendo will add GameCube Island to The Wind Waker HD as it would be a superb addition to the Great Sea from what has been shown by the rough sketches featured in Hyrule Historia.

What do you think of Dee Ess Island? Do you like the way Nintendo designed it for Phantom Hourglass? Do you hope GameCube Island will be brought in for The Wind Waker HD? Let me know by sharing your thoughts on one of the Great Sea’s special islands in the comments below!