Link & Buddy

Get ready for an iconic debut as Link and the world famous Legend of Zelda series, makes its very first appearance on the Nintendo DS! Retaining the elements which have made the Zelda series such a worldwide hit, having sold over a staggering 52 million units globally, this latest full-scale adventure adds a new and exciting level of interaction by allowing players to intuitively control the entire game utilising the Nintendo DS touch screen controls. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass hits the shelves across Europe on 19th October 2007.

Taking the helm, in this direct sequel to the Nintendo GameCube hit, The Legend Of Zelda: Wind Waker, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass picks up with our legendary hero Link, along with Tetra (also known as Princess Zelda from the fallen kingdom of Hyrule) and her crew of Pirates setting sail in search of new lands. On their journey they encounter a dense area of fog, home to a lone Ghost Ship, which Tetra boards to explore alone. However, evil awaits her and she is kidnapped! As the Ghost Ship and Tetra are whisked away to far off lands, it’s down to Link and his fairy companion Ciela to fill the Phantom Hourglass. This ancient artefact can help protect them from cursed dungeons and once again help them to save the day and the princess in this brand new adventure!

Using the stylus, players can move, fight, sail, take notes and interact with other characters all with intuitive taps, lines and sweeping movements with their stylus. When controlling Link on discovered islands, tap the screen in front of him to move forward, similarly use the same motion to communicate and gain information from characters around. Whilst at sea, players will be able to sail with ease as they draw the path for Link’s ship and fire the onboard cannon at passing enemies by tapping the screen over them.

Link’s iconic sword fighting skills have also received a touch screen makeover as players use the stylus to control our hero in combat, tapping and quickly drawing lines to vanquish enemies encountered. Players can carry out a lock-on attack by tapping on the enemy which will have Link automatically deliver them a blow or you can draw the line to perform a slide slash. Players can also activate a spin attack by drawing a circle around Link using the Stylus, making The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass intuitive and accessible for Zelda fans, old or new. Furthermore, players will find all items, such as Link’s bow, boomerang and bombs, are controllable with the stylus, adding a fresh new depth to controls and puzzle solving in the game. To use the boomerang for example, players must draw a path and their weapon will follow it.

For the first time in a Zelda game, players can also flip their map to the bottom of the two screens to make all-important notes on an area or highlight danger areas to look out for. However, the touch screen is not the only Nintendo DS feature used in the game. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass also makes use of the console’s microphone.

But the fun doesn’t stop once players have completed their adventure to recover Tetra. For the first time in a Legend of Zelda series, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass features an exciting multiplayer mode which allows two players to take on a battle of their own through either the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or the Nintendo DS’s Wireless connection. One player assumes the role of Link, with the aim of gaining as many points as possible by carrying Force Gems back to their base, whilst their opponent controls the Phantoms trying to make Link drop his precious treasure!

With over seven new dungeons to explore and a new and exciting way to control our hero, this latest adventure is for you, whether you are an experienced Zelda fan of old or this is your first adventure! The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass launches across Europe on 19th October for the Nintendo DS at an estimated retail price of around £30.

Got a DS? We seriously recommend you go and snag yourself a copy of this wonderful game!

[source phantomhourglass.nintendo-europe.com]