Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective vs The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective follows Sissel, a spirit with the ability to possess objects and reverse time, as he uncovers his own murder and helps the living solve crimes. The game blends witty dialogue, quirky characters, and a supernatural mystery in a stylish, hand‑drawn world.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass continues Link’s journey on the high seas, blending classic Zelda exploration with innovative touch-screen controls. Players steer the Ocean King, uncover hidden islands, and unravel the mystery of the Phantom Hourglass to rescue Tetra and restore peace to the Great Sea. With its vibrant art style, real-time combat, and intricate puzzles, the game offers a rich single-player experience that challenges both reflexes and wits, making it a standout title for handheld adventure gamers.
- Innovative time‑rewind mechanic
- Charming characters and humor
- High‑quality hand‑drawn visuals
- Engaging, self‑contained story
- Innovative touch-screen gameplay
- Engaging story and characters
- Varied puzzles and combat
- Rich, colorful art direction
- Limited replay value after puzzles are solved
- Occasional trial‑and‑error frustration
- No multiplayer or online features
- Limited to handheld hardware
- No multiplayer campaign mode
- Touch controls can be imprecise at times
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
View all →Navigate the seas, solve puzzles, and battle foes in a timeless adventure
Witty pirate adventure where you outsmart ghosts and solve puzzles.
Alternatives to The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
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Classic handheld adventure reborn with vibrant colors and new puzzles.
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Control the seasons to save Holodrum in this classic adventure.
Link up with friends for a magical co‑op adventure in Hyrule.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataThe Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is the higher-rated, safer adventure pick, while Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective offers a budget-friendly, story-driven mystery puzzle experience. The main trade-off is paying $59.99 for critically acclaimed Zelda gameplay versus $4.99 for a lower-scoring mystery.
Key differences
- •Critic Score: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass holds a high critic score of 89/100, whereas Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective sits at 50/100.
- •Pricing: Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is significantly cheaper at an MSRP of $4.99 compared to $59.99 for The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.
- •Age Ratings: Phantom Hourglass is rated PEGI 7 and ESRB E (safer for younger audiences), while Ghost Trick is rated PEGI 12 and ESRB T.
- •Multiplayer Features: Phantom Hourglass includes cooperative multiplayer minigames via local wireless, whereas Ghost Trick has no multiplayer or online features.
- •Core Mechanics: Phantom Hourglass focuses on stylus-driven ship navigation and dungeon exploration with timed challenges, while Ghost Trick revolves around rewinding time four seconds and object-possession puzzles.
Gameplay & fun factor
Zelda features varied puzzles, combat, and an 89/100 critic score, outperforming Ghost Trick's trial-and-error puzzles and 50/100 score.
Platform availability
Platform hardware details are not specified beyond touchscreen/handheld optimizations.
Price & value
Ghost Trick costs $4.99, offering a much lower entry barrier than Phantom Hourglass's $59.99 MSRP.
Multiplayer / co-op
Phantom Hourglass features cooperative multiplayer minigames via local wireless, while Ghost Trick has no multiplayer features.
Content & replayability
Phantom Hourglass offers exploration, hidden treasure chests, and local co-op minigames, whereas Ghost Trick has limited replay value.
Difficulty & accessibility
Phantom Hourglass has a family-friendly PEGI 7 / ESRB E rating, compared to Ghost Trick's PEGI 12 / ESRB T rating and trial-and-error frustration.
Graphics & performance
Phantom Hourglass features rich, colorful art direction and animated cutscenes with an 89/100 critical reception.
Choose Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective if…
Budget-conscious fans of story-driven mystery puzzles and anime-style visuals.
Choose The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass if…
Adventure fans looking for high-rated, puzzle-filled exploration with local co-op minigames.
Common questions
Which game is less expensive?
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is less expensive with an MSRP of $4.99, compared to $59.99 for The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.
Do either of these games feature multiplayer?
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass includes cooperative multiplayer minigames via local wireless, while Ghost Trick has no multiplayer or online features.
Which game received better reviews from critics?
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass received a much higher critic score of 89/100, whereas Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective has a score of 50/100.