Multiplayer "battle mode" for Phantom Hourglass. Our full hands-on impressions from the GDC show floor.

---

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is the latest Zelda game from Nintendo, and it is the first Zelda title for the Nintendo DS.

Using full 3D graphics and the same art style as Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass utilizes the unique control of the DS to augment Link's adventures. A demo for the game's battle mode was on display today on the GDC floor where we were able to get a hands-on with this multiplayer aspect of the game.

Battle Mode pits two players against each other with one player on the “offense” and the other on “defense.” These positions are represented by the colors blue and red which are used to color your Link, your base and power-ups. The game takes place over three rounds which are each 120 seconds long. Both players will get a chance to play offense and defense during each round.

The object of battle mode is to collect crystals and bring them back to your base. There are various sizes of crystals with larger ones being worth more points than smaller ones. When Link picks up a crystal his speed will decrease. The larger the crystal, the slower Link can move. After the three rounds are over, the player with the most points will be declared the winner.

On offense, you will be directing your Link around the maze with the touch screen. Where ever you touch, a fairy will appear and Link will follow it. The top screen is a map which displays the locations of crystals, safe zones, bases and power-ups. Enemies will only be displayed while you are holding a crystal. Crystals are collected by tapping them with the stylus while Link is next to them. The player can then travel with the crystal back to their base or hide in safe zones which are colored light blue on the top screen. Power-ups give Link a random boost in speed, increase the time limit or create a clone of Link to confuse the opponent.


Link is back

On defense, the player will be trying to prevent the other player from collecting crystals by manipulating three Iron Knuckles. These dark knights will attack the opponent if they get close enough and end their turn. The knights are controlled by tracing lines on the map which is on the bottom screen for defense. The top screen will display your nights as they try to capture Link while the bottom screen displays a similar map to offense. Defense can switch between knights by tapping their icon or pressing the L button. When the player draws a line for a specific knight, the knight will follow this line.

The idea is to manipulate your knights in such a way that Link cannot escape them. What makes this difficult is that there is a limit to the line’s length so the defense will have to plan ahead and predict Link's movements in order to stop him. There are also power-ups for defense which have the opposite effect as the offensive power-ups. There is no way for Link to defend himself from the knights. If they get too close, it is game over. Link can only escape them by going into his own base or a safe zone.

The staff at the event could not confirm whether or not battle mode would require both players to own a copy of the game.

-- Matthew Wirgler