Enter the Dungeon of Phantom Hourglass!!

Game: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

Platform: DS

Publisher: Nintendo

The latest Zelda title was honestly the best one that I have seen in a while. {except for Twilight Princess of course} It is clever in it's use of the DS touch screen and for all of you Wind Waker fans, this is the sequel which should be more than enough reason to go buy it now. The story pretty much continues from Wind Waker, Link and Tetra{excuse me if the name is incorrect} sail around the seas when a mysterious ghost ship comes in the picture, Tetra is captured and thus the adventure begins when Link wakes up on a small island.

The use of the touch screen is tricky but at the same time fun. The most common use is for you take quick notes on your map, attack, and move about. To move, just press the stylus on the desired spot on the bottom screen and Link will follow. To attack, just make a sword swipe on your screen. At most points throughout the game you can press select to bring up your map. While your map is up you can jot down notes to help you during your quest. Some of the retro weapons used like the boomerang, bow &arrow, and bombs are now more funner than ever to use with the touch screen.

Now, why is the game called Phantom Hourglass? Well, the island that Link wakes up on houses a temple that grants access to different seas. You can't enter the temple without the Phantom Hourglasss, which of course gives you a time limit.

While navigating the seas, you may come upon treasure. Most commonly you will get rupees, but sometimes you will get one minute added to your hourglass.

There is a multi player option similar to the options in Donkey Kong 64 or 007. You run around in an enclosed environment collecting jewels and then bringing them back to your safe zone while your enemy, the phantom, tries to stop you. Also there are many mini games that give you upgrades if you complete within a certain degree. There are games such as, shooting gallery, cannon shoot, and game mazes.

Phantom Hourglass is a beautiful representation of one of the first 'difficult' DS titles that has come out in long time. I wouldn't recommend this game to those who don't of course like Zelda, and don't like difficult games because there are parts of the game where you may get frustrated.

5/5 This game is a must have, but not for everybody.