Veterans and newcomers to "The Legend of Zelda" series will enjoy the story and innovative game play in "Phantom Hourglass."

The story is similar to previous "Zelda" games: a boy dressed in green, Link, must rescue a princess in distress from the clutches of evil. 

"Phantom Hourglass," however, is a continuation of the Nintendo Game Cube game, "The Wind Waker," where the princess is a spunky pirate named Tetra, and the graphics are animated to look like living paper cut-outs.  This time, Link must rescue Tetra from the grasp of the Ghost Ship with the help of a treasure-obsessed Captain Linebeck and an annoying, talkative fairy with amnesia.  

Another similarity to other "Zelda" games is that it maintains its fantasy-adventure elements and numerous puzzles.  Players can use new skills to figure out where treasure hides in dangerous dungeons and islands.  It is the perfect game to play for short periods of time, as some puzzles can be taxing and frustrating during long playing sessions. 

What makes "Phantom Hourglass" different from the previous games is the inclusion of stylus controls.  Players move Link around with the touch screen and stylus.  They use the stylus to attack enemies and to obtain and use items.  Players can also map out where Link throws his boomerang or plot where he navigates his ship across the sea.  They can even use maps to mark important notes for solving puzzles.  The only flaw to these controls is even though the stylus is innovative and easy to use, sometimes movements are imprecise.  There have been many times when Link has accidentally fallen into deep sea water or down never-ending chasms. 

The multiplayer is simplistic.  Players take turns being either Link or guardian phantoms.  The object is for Link to dodge the phantoms while carrying cumbersome force gems to his base while the defensive phantoms attempt to capture him.  Players can use direct or download play between two DS handhelds, or they can use online play with the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.