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Eiji Aonuma is a winner
Level Up's N'Gai Croal interviewed some of the winners of the Game Critics Awards, because, you know, he can. As the producer of the Best Handheld Game, Contra 4 The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Eiji Aonuma was one of the developers tapped by Croal to give his reactions to the win.Aonuma said that he was "very grateful" to win the award, explaining: "As we were challenged to create something very different this time, I am particularly happy because the award appears to have meant that our challenge was worthwhile." He then went on to speak about the positive Japanese reaction to the game, which he ascribes almost entirely to the fact that everyone in Japan loves the DS.
And the best handheld game is ...
... The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass! At least, it was the best handheld game at this year's E3, according to the Game Critics Association. While a small part of our hearts hoped Contra 4 would take the trophy (after all, we know Zelda is all kinds of good), we can't say we're at all surprised by Link's win, particularly after all we've heard about the game so far.
Joystiq impressions: Phantom Hourglass, The Legend of Zelda
The stylus controls work ... really well. Last week we wrapped our fingers around the plastic pen and pushed Link around Melka Island, impressed with how stimulating the touch-based interaction was. There are a few quirks, like the tiny circles you must draw at the screen's edges to produce a roll, but for the most part Phantom Hourglass is the best kind of gimmick -- one without the icky undertone of shallowness. This is an honest sequel to Wind Waker, and a game that will reinvigorate the DS's software dry spell. Like most Zelda titles, Phantom Hourglass (and the E3 demo) begins with the basics, coaxing newcomers into the franchise. These routines can be tiresome for experienced players, but the new control system was different enough to make the tutorial sequences enjoyable, and frequent cut scenes helped to draw our attention into the narrative -- and brought out some of DS's less celebrated hardware potentials. But again, it was the touch screen that truly impressed; the satisfaction of commanding Link with stylus strokes, and the ability to do so as we go about our mobile routines.Having been released in Japan nearly a month ago, Phantom Hourglass is already complete (save for the localization efforts) and earning praise. There's little we can add to what information is already available about the game. But, if you're looking for our assurance, Phantom Hourglass is still a must-play, now more than ever.%Gallery-2516%
It's dangerous to go half-naked! Wear this!
Why don't more t-shirts take this Wind Waker shirt's example? It uses official art from the game, and doesn't add any silly slogans. There's nothing here about how the 1980's were neat, or about being a "player" or anything. It's just a cute image of Link in some tall grass. We would totally wear this shirt, even to the grocery store.Oh, we also like the shirt because the Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass art style is incredible, but you knew that. [Via Wonderland]
Set sail for new Phantom Hourglass footage
There isn't much to these latest clips from The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, which makes our job of presenting them that much more difficult. Still, what little we do get to see has us intrigued, as Link hauls around some pieces of the triforce and chats with his annoying little fairy cohort. If you're as excited as we are for the game (we're going to assume you're more excited), then you want to see any and all things related to Phantom Hourglass, so head on over and watch the videos.[Via Go Nintendo]
Phantom Hourglass to set sail October 1st
Nintendo dished out a press release earlier, letting us all know that come October 1st, we'll all be able to set sail for cel-shaded seas. This, of course, will be the first Zelda game for the DS and, along with its Wi-Fi compatibility, looks to be quite the game. After seeing the first 6 minutes of it in action (we couldn't help ourselves!), we're dying to get our play on. %Gallery-3279%See also: Phantom Hourglass sells 350K in two days
Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass launching October 1st
After reading about the near-perfect score awarded to the Japanese release of The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, we resurrected our shrine to Celda and began making offerings of lesser Zelda clones. When we read that the title sold 350,000 copies in just two days, we yearned to be a tiny cog in that hulking mass of DS carts. Undoubtedly moved by the magical powers of our shrine, Nintendo of America has just announced an October 1 release date for the portable Zelda, three months from now. We can make it ... but we're gonna sacrifice another copy of Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy just in case.%Gallery-2516%
Phantom Hourglass sells 350K in two days
Sure, we thought hotcakes would be all but forgotten once the game released in Japan, but we never knew the game would sell this well. And in selling 350,000 copies in just two days, it has done very well in the region. In fact, this makes Phantom Hourglass the fastest-selling Zelda game since Ocarina of Time released (and would later be called "the greatest game of all time" by many). Phantom Hourglass is currently slated for an October release in the United States.%Gallery-3279%[Via Joystiq]
Phantom Hourglass sells 350,000 copies in two days
Released in Japan just a few days ago, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass has performed respectably on store shelves so far. And by "respectably" we mean the Japanese have devoured the game as ravenously as we would eat popcorn if forced to watch Uwe Boll's rendition of Alone in the Dark (you know, to distract us from the pain). The DS game sold 350,000 copies in just two days, making it the fastest-selling Zelda game since Ocarina of Time nearly ten years ago. Now if we can just contain our excitement for six more months, we'll get to enjoy the game in English!
Phantom Hourglass helps kanji impaired
We're not really too good at reading Japanese kanji. We'll be honest and just say it. Our horrible inability to translate the ancient Japanese script has been something that not only gets in our way of enjoying delicious Japanese gaming news, but something that also keeps us from maintaining an equal correspondence with our Japanese pen pal Hiro. We believe he might be getting bored of the magazine clippings we keep sending him. He hasn't mailed us back in months.But, the Japanese version of Phantom Hourglass is set to at least help folks in that region, namely children, with the difficult task of reading the kanji characters. The smart approach Nintendo has come up with is to allow the player, through use of the stylus, to touch the kanji letters and switch to the furigana characters (which allow the reader to phonetically read the kanji), making the dialogue that much easier to read. The furigana characters normally reside atop kanji, but with the small screen size of the DS, Nintendo came up with this different solution.See also: First 6 minutes of Phantom Hourglass shown
Stream Phantom Hourglass' music
It could be months before The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass makes it to America, but you can count on us to bring you everything we find pertaining to the Japanese game -- commercials, video of its first six minutes, and now, its soundtrack. It's as close as you can get to playing the game without actually having to import it! Sort of.The Hylia has ripped over 75 tracks directly from Phantom Hourglass, posting them all for you to listen to. Aren't you glad that you have friends like us to tell you about the awesome going-ons of the internet?
Famitsu loves Zelda, gives Phantom Hourglass near-perfect score
Respected Japanese gaming publication Famitsu has reportedly given Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass a near-perfect 39 out of 40 score, according to CVG. That number is based on four reviewers -- three giving the DS adventure a perfect 10, and one dissenter only awarding 9 points.Phantom Hourglass is the 17th game to earn a near-perfect score of 39 (A Link to the Past was the first). Two Zelda titles to have earned perfect scores are Wind Waker, which was the sixth game ever to earn a perfect score from the publication, and Ocarina of Time, which was the very first. [Source] So yeah, Famitsu really loves Legend of Zelda. They want to marry Legend of Zelda and then get divorced and cite "irreconcilable differences." It's hard to understand, we'll explain it when you're older.
Blogging through every Legend of Zelda
Ever wanted to read a novelization of the Legend of Zelda series? No? Well, we've got one for you, anyways.A blogger known as Grownup Gamer has begun a project where he will be writing extensively about every game in the Legend of Zelda series in chronological order. We can't emphasize the word "extensive" enough -- each entry is extremely detailed, but Blogging Zelda fortunately is well-written enough to be an interesting read. Grownup Gamer has actually been blogging since the end of May, spending just under two weeks to complete the first and second quests in the original NES Zelda. He is currently mowing through Zelda II: The Adventures of Link. Fifteen titles in all have been planned for completion, including the yet-to-be-released Phantom Hourglass.See Also:The Shields of Zelda[Via 4cr; image source]
Phantom Hourglass trailer = hot boating action
We must be in a game video kind of mood today here at DS Fanboy, as we bring forth the latest trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. In this latest clip, we see lots of Link using his boat, along with other things, but mainly it focuses on him and his sea-faring vessel. And, as our usual thing, we've embedded the video past the post break.Oh, we wish we were getting our hands on the game this week! Lucky Japanese gamers ...
Phantom Hourglass site opens, new videos inside
With less than two weeks before its Japanese release, Nintendo has opened the official website for The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. Treasures hidden within include several new videos that show off basic gameplay and Link's touchscreen control. To promote laziness (and so you don't have to sludge through squiggly Japanese menu screens) we've embedded the videos below. For an extra dose of Zelda fun, try playing all three at the same time![Via DS Fanboy]%Gallery-2856%
More Phantom Hourglass commercials for Japan, nothing for us
Whether it's shields or mini-sites, we can't seem to stop torturing ourselves with Phantom Hourglass news. We're actually physically pained by the fact that Japan will be receiving the game as early as next week; meanwhile, we're still waiting for a US release date to be announced, wallowing in self-pity with nothing but Destination Software's Chicken Shoot to look forward to. We want to chase chickens into corners, carry them over our heads, or even slash at them with a sword until a flood of poultry pour into our screens to defend their friend -- not shoot at them! We cry fowl at Chicken Shoot!Nintendo's latest commercial for The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass depicts a young girl finding clues, taking notes, and counting Link's steps to unlock one of the game's many secrets. As you'll see past the post break, no chickens were harmed in the making of the video.%Gallery-3279%
Today's most stylistic video: DS Zelda controls
With Zelda: Phantom Hourglass nearly released--well, for Japanese gamers, that is--GameTrailers has posted a few brief gameplay clips that show the touchscreen controls. Gamers outside of Japan will have to wait until later this year to play the DS RPG/adventure. (Make the wait even longer by watching Japanese commercials for the game.)Start forming opinions on the controls. After the break, watch demos of movement, swordplay, and curved boomerang throws, all handled with the stylus.
Phantom Hourglass site opens with new videos
With less than two weeks to go before The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass' June 23rd release in Japan, Nintendo has launched an official site for the ARPG with several new videos. The clips mimic the commercials that've been advertising the handheld adventure in Japan, showing off Link's new touchscreen movement and controls. We know that you hate to pay long-distance fees for visiting sites outside of the country, so we went ahead and embedded the movies after the post break. Really, there's no need to thank us -- let's just say you owe us one. %Gallery-3279%
The Shields of Zelda
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/The_Shields_of_Zelda'; If you paid close attention to yesterday's Phantom Hourglass commercials, you might've spotted the lobster design (or is it a crayfish?) on Link's shield. What do you think of the new look? Wind Waker fans should recognize the crustacean shape, as it originally showed up on our hero's pajamas in the GameCube game. Link's shield has been as much a staple of the Zelda series as the adventurer's green cap, deflecting octorok attacks and pushing away charging enemies. Over the past two decades, the defensive device's design has evolved much from its original cross emblem to incorporate Triforces, various winged figures, and decorative accents. We've collected over a dozen of the different layouts that we spotted at The Hylia, leaving out mirror shields and other deviations (e.g. Ordon shield), and have lined them up for you to compare and constrast after the post break. Enjoy!
More Phantom Hourglass screens hit the 'net
A new set of screenshots from The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass have just trickled onto the web. This game looks more gorgeous every time we see it. The first eight images in the gallery below are new and show stills from cut-scenes, a couple of battle shots, sailing, and the interior of what looks like a shop. Set for release next month in Japan and what will feel like years later elsewhere (holiday 2007), we can't wait to get our hands on this title. Maybe it's time to crack open a book and learn enough Japanese to pick our way through the game?%Gallery-2856%
