Category: Phantom Hourglass

As the Zelda series continues to grow in popularity, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a new entry or, at the very least, a remaster in the 2D facet of the series. With the Nintendo Switch successor looming over the horizon of 2025, perhaps we may even receive it as a launch title. Although, for the time being this may well be a pipe dream, allow me to pose the question: What art style would you like to see…

I recently completed my first-ever playthrough of Spirit Tracks, originally released on the Nintendo DS. It was my first playthrough of either of the two stylus-based Zelda DS games (i.e., Spirit Tracks and Phantom Hourglass). I enjoyed the game with its whimsical charm, uplifting musical tracks, and unique storyline with Zelda as Link’s companion. However, similar to my playthrough of Skyward Sword, I found myself becoming frustrated with the controls, and I felt like a good game was being held…

We’re back this week continuing the discussion around Tears of the Kingdom, except this time, we’re comparing and contrasting it to three other direct sequels in the Zelda franchise: Majora’s Mask, Phantom Hourglass, and A Link Between Worlds! We go over what makes a game a direct sequel in our eyes, how each game changed up the gameplay from its predecessors, if there was enough new content to make the sequel feel distinct, and so much more! We’re also covering…

Nintendo doesn’t release direct 3D Zelda sequels very often. While The Wind Waker technically got Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, those games had 2D style perspective, and only released on Nintendo’s handheld console of the time. Thus, Majora’s Mask and Tears of the Kingdom are the only full scale, big release 3D sequels in the series. Both games have copious merits in their own rights, but as we live in the age of comparison, I must pose the question: Is…

Ganondorf is an iconic villain, integral to the Legend of Zelda series. However, while Zelda and — to a lesser extent — Link’s personalities shift from game to game, Ganondorf remains just about the same in every entry. Nintendo compensates for the stagnant nature of their leading villain by adding in sidekicks or replacements for him from time to time. As an unfortunate side effect of not being cursed to participate in an endless ouroboros cycle between good and evil,…

Collecting is such a large part of Zelda (Rupees, Pieces of Heart, Empty Bottles, weapons, cooking ingredients, any number of dungeon/plot MacGuffins, etc.) that it’s pretty easy to see why so many Zelda fans extend the act of collecting into the real world. Nintendo itself has played directly into this, offering a variety of series memorabilia for purchase. This includes limited-edition consoles, amiibo, and Special, Master, and Collectors’ editions of games that come with artbooks, statues, and soundtracks. Aside from…

I guess it could be argued that, to some extent, Zelda has never truly been a solitary experience. I’ve read that ‘80s kids on playgrounds used to talk about their discoveries in the original The Legend of Zelda, swapping stories and hints about every secret they’d uncovered. Nintendo home consoles had long been equipped with multiple controller ports for couch co-op, but it wasn’t until the Game Boy Advance remake of A Link to the Past came out that we got…

As we encroach on Tears of the Kingdom’s first anniversary, there is no better time to celebrate its monumental wins than now. After winning IGN’s Game of the Year, Best Action/Adventure Game at The Game Awards and D.I.C.E., Link and Zelda should be flying higher than the Great Sky Island. Tears also received BAFTA nominations and Game Informer recognition as a top game of the year. This isn’t even an exhaustive list, but it’s time to add another medal to…

Are you a recent Zelda fan who arrived during the Switch generation and are interested in playing through the full catalog? Are you a veteran Zelda fan who is tired of dusting off that old system to play your favorite Zelda game one more time? Regardless of when you found The Legend of Zelda, I think we can all see the value in having the complete saga on Switch so that it is both accessible and convenient for recent and…

The Zelda series is full of vibrant starting areas that make you feel right at home. From the lush Kokiri Forest in Ocarina of Time to the majestic islands of Skyloft in Skyward Sword, there are plenty of places I would pack my bags for and visit in a heartbeat. There are, however, a few in-game starter locales that don’t quite make my bucket list. Hyrule in A Link Between Worlds/A Link to the Past, for instance, doesn’t quite hit…