The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

 DS
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Image
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 57 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 494 Ratings

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  • Summary: [Metacritic's 2007 DS Game of the Year] Many months have passed since the events of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Link, Tetra and Tetra’s band of pirates have set sail in search of new lands. They come across a patch of ocean covered in a dense fog, in which they discover an[Metacritic's 2007 DS Game of the Year] Many months have passed since the events of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Link, Tetra and Tetra’s band of pirates have set sail in search of new lands. They come across a patch of ocean covered in a dense fog, in which they discover an abandoned ship. Tetra falls into danger when she explores the ship alone, and Link falls into the ocean when he attempts to rescue her. When he washes up unconscious on the shores of a mysterious island, he is awakened by the sound of a fairy’s voice. With the aid of this fairy, he sets off to find Tetra – and his way back to the seas he once knew. The stylus makes controlling Link easier than ever. Tap on the screen to make Link move, or sweep the stylus around him to swing the sword. Players can even draw a path for his boomerang and send it flying into hard-to-reach targets. Players can stash the map on the top screen for quick reference or drop it to the touch screen to make notes, study enemies, or chart a path for their boat to follow while they man the cannons. Compete with a friend over a local wireless connection: Guide Link through special dungeons to capture the Triforce or command the forces that oppose him. [Nintendo]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 57
  3. Negative: 0 out of 57
  1. Computer and Video Games
    100
    There are many excellent games on the DS but few masterpieces. This one, though, is a masterpiece. And worth every penny you'll pay for it. [JPN Import]
  2. Maxi Consolas (Portugal)
    95
    The best and most complete portable adventure ever. Even if you’re not a fan of the series, you should feel compelled to play it and recognize it as a masterpiece. [Nov 2007]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Nintendo Gamer
    95
    20 of the finest gaming hours of the year. [Dec 2007, p.42]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. AceGamez
    90
    Arguably the DS' greatest title so far.
    All this publication's reviews
  5. IGN
    90
    While it may be more casual than we'd like, it's captivating, entertaining, and a true adventure worthy of the Zelda name. It's different, but it's still the real deal.
  6. AtomicGamer
    89
    Overall, Phantom Hourglass is a pretty good game. While the controls do prove to be an issue, it succeeds in other areas, and does so with flair.
  7. Modojo
    60
    But Zelda: Phantom Hourglass goes the opposite extreme, and turns sailing into a boring and utterly joyless exercise in line drawing. Basically, instead of controlling the ship directly, you'll merely draw your route on the touchscreen and watch your ship travel to that destination.

See all 57 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 78 out of 123
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 123
  3. Negative: 15 out of 123
  1. MikeD.
    Oct 3, 2007
    10
    A great game, innovative in so many ways, and worth of the Zelda name.
  2. Skidmarks
    Mar 20, 2008
    10
    Great game. First Zelda I've bothered to finish in a while. Loved the controls. Perhaps a little easy, but fun through-out and I got Great game. First Zelda I've bothered to finish in a while. Loved the controls. Perhaps a little easy, but fun through-out and I got many hours out of it.… Expand
  4. Crazyqazqaz
    Oct 27, 2008
    10
    Zelda games are famous for having incredibly long story lines, mind boggling puzzles, scores of mini-quests and the notorious Water Temples Zelda games are famous for having incredibly long story lines, mind boggling puzzles, scores of mini-quests and the notorious Water Temples that consume hours of your life and have even been made into a slang (if a bit underused) term for something incredibly difficult. This, though, is a breath of fresh air. The game is lovingly crafted using bright, welcoming colours and a story line that manages to be genuinely funny while being brilliantly unpredicable. The control scheme is fabulous, I really can't see what people have been complaining about. It isn't overly difficult but not a total breeze either. It will stump you at times, but that is nothing that a little creative thought and a small amount of thinking outside the box won't solve. A brilliant little game, can't praise it enough!… Expand
  5. JoshHair
    Oct 3, 2007
    9
    *shrugs* there's one reason I stick with professional reviews, and that reason is this: most gamers are morons. There is little reason to*shrugs* there's one reason I stick with professional reviews, and that reason is this: most gamers are morons. There is little reason to not believe this. You'll find that the average user review is a few paragraphs, at best, and generally consists of the most vapid and unspecified language imaginable.

    Is it interesting that most users generally disregard comparable games and will give a bad score solely based on how they are feeling, or simply because they think the press is over-rating it? There's very little honesty among the average user, which is why they'll never become full-fledged professional or, for that matter, a part of my consideration in a game purchase.    … Expand
  6. AnonymousMC
    Dec 29, 2007
    8
    It was a brillliant game, and i thought that the controls were brilliant however, the trade in price was extremely frustrating as it has noIt was a brillliant game, and i thought that the controls were brilliant however, the trade in price was extremely frustrating as it has no replay value. Very disappionted with teh reuse of the temple of the ocean king, what was the point in the making of the whole game if you repeat the same thing all the time.… Expand
  7. LionelE.
    Oct 16, 2007
    7
    Phantom Hourglass has some very strong aspects. It makes full use of the DS controls in innovative ways (especially the bosses), it manages Phantom Hourglass has some very strong aspects. It makes full use of the DS controls in innovative ways (especially the bosses), it manages to create startlingly good graphics with little system power, and it packs a decent amount of game onto a small cartridge. However, it's also quite easy, lacks the typical Zelda side-quest depth and the stylus controls can be a pain for simple things like moving or changing items. It also makes the bewildering decision of having users fight through the same dungeon many, many times in the game, slowing it down quite a bit. It's fun and gimmicky, but not as deep as many people suggest.… Expand
  8. JaredC.
    Oct 2, 2007
    0
    Zelda when she is a baby, and weak, and pethetic, this game is just like that. It misses out on the main story and cliches the slackness of Zelda when she is a baby, and weak, and pethetic, this game is just like that. It misses out on the main story and cliches the slackness of undarkening material. it just doesn't work with all the others.… Expand

See all 123 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best DS Game of 2007
1
#1 Most Discussed DS Game of 2007
1
#1 Most Shared DS Game of 2007