Phantom Hourglass Japanese boxart FTW

by Jason Wishnov { May 22nd 2007 at 10:00AM }

It's stylish. It's classy. But we here at DS Fanboy think that Link is getting a little too cute, even yon cel-shaded version. This cuteness is only made more creepy by the fact there is an old man with oddly-styled facial hair standing right next to him. Damn sailors.

This boxart reminds us heavily of Wind Waker, and it makes us wonder how big a component sailing is going to be in this new adventure. Crossing the ocean became a bit tedious in Wind Waker, so here's hoping the process has been streamlined (LOLpun) a bit.

[Thanks, Braden!]

Tags: Boxart, Hourglass, Legend, Phantom, Waker, Wind, Zelda

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Commonc @ May 22nd 2007 10:34AM

I can't wait to play this game but I don't like the art style or look of Link. I never played Wind Waker and apperently this has the same look to it. I don't care for it, just my opinion

Jason Chapa @ May 22nd 2007 12:44PM

Wind Waker was a great game, even if you don't care for the art style. So I can't wait for this game.

Saphion @ May 22nd 2007 1:40PM

Jason just summed up my thoughts exactly.

Sirus @ May 22nd 2007 4:15PM

The best thing about that art style is that it ages a lot better than other more realistic styles.

The_Wind_Waker8 @ May 22nd 2007 5:28PM

Ooo a WFC icon... I wonder how the online portion will work exactly.

Ibrahim @ May 23rd 2007 1:03AM

"4. The best thing about that art style is that it ages a lot better than other more realistic styles."
Yeah, I'd have to say I agree. After actually playing WW, I realized it has a very nice style. Honestly, it looks more crisp than Twilight Princess, which I just got on Saturday (score!) and kind of looks pseudo-realistic. I'm really pumped for this game, it's not often we get to play two Zelda games in such a short time interval (same year in my case).

Kefka @ May 23rd 2007 6:37AM

While i didnt particularly like what i played of WW, the graphical style was great.

Am happy to see it have an outing on the DS.

The "long boat trips with a gay french sailor" bit is a touch worrying though...

GlitchCog @ May 23rd 2007 9:12AM

I didn't really like the art styles of OOT or Twilight Princess. Graphically, Wind Waker is exactly what I want to see in Zelda games. It's much much closer to what my mind imagined the world was like when I played Zelda on the NES than the realistic stuff. Games about magical fantasy lands with fairies and nature-altering musical instruments shouldn't try to look too real.

JeffyP00 @ May 23rd 2007 3:19PM

Yes yes yes!! This is the game I've been waiting to play. TP was pretty great, but simply pales in comparison to WW. This is the art direction Zelda was meant to take; an exciting, vivid, creative, expressive world. Screw the dingy "adult" and "realistic" direction these idiots have clamored for. That's boring and we've seen it all before. The art in WW was a huge breath of fresh air.
But it's not just the art style. WW had a huge degree of freedom and open-endednessm that was completely lacking on TP. The on rails feel of TP, and glaring lack of sidequesting felt like a huge step backwards for the series.
Obviously I think WW doesn't get the respect it deserves. Everyone "oh noes, its teh kiddie" and bitches. These people wouldn't know a great game if it hookshotted them in the face. I'm just hoping that this DS incarnation can live up to bar set so high by WW. That's gonna be tough. But I sure as hell am excited about it!