The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

 DS
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Image
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 57 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 587 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

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 84 out of 139
  2. Mixed: 37 out of 139
  3. Negative: 18 out of 139
  1. HouseS.
    Sep 28, 2007
    10
    Wonderful art direction. The touch screen controls work really great. this is the best handheld game since Link's Awakening DX
  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. Ray520010
    Jul 15, 2018
    8
    This is the first Zelda game on DS platform. I have a mix feeling about this game. I like the new ways to play game, such as shouting to theThis is the first Zelda game on DS platform. I have a mix feeling about this game. I like the new ways to play game, such as shouting to the console, drawing the line, and using the touch screen. Nintendo show us how to play a game without the controller, but I do not like it. This is an easy game among Zelda franchise by using the controller. However, Nintendo intends to show the players how to play a game with two screens, so players need to use the lower screen all the time.
    This game takes the fully advantages of the console's technology.
    This game is accessible for newcomers, such as me. I think Zelda games are really hard, but this one is an easier one.
    The up screen can show you a full map of the current dungeon, which just like cheating. This is really convenient for me to locate where i am.    … Expand
  6. Tyrant719
    Feb 26, 2020
    7
    Really critics? A 9?? How much does Nintendo pay for good reviews? Between this and Mario, I have never seen more blatant bias in any otherReally critics? A 9?? How much does Nintendo pay for good reviews? Between this and Mario, I have never seen more blatant bias in any other franchises. This is the first Zelda game that I have played, but I’m really not clamoring to play any others. This is the mighty franchise that’s better than Final Fantasy? Get this kids’ version of Legolas out of here. This is mediocrity defined and the people that play it just don’t have the patience for real RPGs. It’s like this game is made for people who are glued to walkthroughs and just want to say they beat a game. I’m not a fan.… Expand
  7. SnivySomnia
    Oct 21, 2012
    6
    The only member of the franchise I can't stand. The gameplay itself works fine, being controlled entirely on the touch screen except whenThe only member of the franchise I can't stand. The gameplay itself works fine, being controlled entirely on the touch screen except when using items. Everything else annoys me, though. The over world is the worst in the franchise, the puzzles were pathetically easy, the music sucks, the Temple of the Ocean King got annoying really fast, and the plot felt like an excuse to play the game. Probably what annoys me the most, though, is how, while it has good replay value, I have no real incentive to play it. Other Zelda games that I've already experienced gave me a feeling of adventure when I replay them like Majora's Mask or Wind Waker. This one just bores me. In conclusion, it's a functional game, but falls flat just about everywhere else.… 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 139 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