Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteYes. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass and The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks are connected in Nintendo’s official continuity. Phantom Hourglass follows The Wind Waker, and the search for a new homeland leads to the establishment of a new Hyrule Kingdom. Spirit Tracks takes place later in that kingdom, with a different immediate conflict and a later generation or era of characters.
That makes Spirit Tracks a chronological follow-up rather than a scene-by-scene continuation of Link’s rescue mission. You can play it first, but playing Phantom Hourglass before it makes the history of New Hyrule easier to understand.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What Nintendo’s official chronology says
Nintendo’s Zelda history places the two Nintendo DS games in this order:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
- The establishment of a new Hyrule Kingdom
- The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
The important link is the new kingdom. Phantom Hourglass is not an isolated ocean adventure that disappears from the series timeline. Its characters’ search for new land is followed by the founding of New Hyrule, and that kingdom becomes the setting for Spirit Tracks.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Nintendo’s official history does not give a precise in-world number of years between the two games in the retrieved material. The safest description is that Spirit Tracks occurs in a later generation or era after New Hyrule has been established.
How Phantom Hourglass fits after The Wind Waker
Phantom Hourglass begins after the events of The Wind Waker. Nintendo’s product description calls it a continuation of that game’s epic story and says that many months have passed since the earlier adventure. Link, Tetra and Tetra’s band of pirates have sailed in search of new lands.
This timing matters because the world at the start of Phantom Hourglass is not simply the same Hyrule seen in older games. The characters are traveling across unfamiliar seas, looking for somewhere new to settle. The voyage provides the historical bridge to the kingdom that appears later in the chronology.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The rescue that starts Phantom Hourglass
Nintendo’s manual synopsis identifies Tetra as Princess Zelda. During the voyage, she boards a mysterious ghost ship and disappears. Link then begins a rescue journey with the fairy Ciela.
The immediate story is therefore personal and urgent: find Tetra, investigate the ghost-ship threat and survive the unfamiliar sea. That is the central premise players experience, even though the game also contributes to the longer history of the Zelda timeline.
The role of the voyage in Zelda history
The search for new land is more than background flavor. It explains why the next part of this timeline is not another return to the old kingdom. The voyage eventually leads to the establishment of New Hyrule, creating a new setting for a later Zelda adventure.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How Spirit Tracks follows it
Spirit Tracks is set after New Hyrule has been established. Nintendo’s product description presents a different crisis: Link sets out to restore the spirit tracks and keep an ancient demon locked away.
The change in objective shows why the games are connected without being one uninterrupted quest. Phantom Hourglass centers on Tetra’s disappearance, a ghost ship and exploration of unknown seas. Spirit Tracks centers on a rail network and the threat posed by an ancient demon. The later game assumes the existence of the new kingdom but tells its own adventure within it.
What “later” means here
“Later” refers to chronology, not a specifically documented interval. Nintendo’s retrieved first-party pages establish the order of events but do not state an exact number of years between the games. Claims that assign a precise year gap go beyond what those pages establish.
The available evidence supports a later generation or era in New Hyrule. That wording also explains why players should not expect every character relationship from Phantom Hourglass to continue on screen in exactly the same form.
Are they direct sequels?
The answer depends on what “direct sequel” means.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesYes, in the historical and timeline sense
They are linked by Nintendo’s official adult-timeline sequence. Phantom Hourglass follows The Wind Waker; New Hyrule is established afterward; and Spirit Tracks follows in that setting. That is a canonical connection, not a fan theory based only on visual similarities.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
No, in the scene-by-scene story sense
Spirit Tracks does not present itself as the next chapter of the same rescue operation. Its train-based world, restored tracks and sealed ancient demon create a new immediate plot. The relationship is best described as a chronological follow-up set in the kingdom that grew out of the earlier voyage.
A useful analogy is a historical sequel: the later game inherits the consequences of the earlier game, but its characters and central problem belong to a later period.
Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks compared
| Aspect | Phantom Hourglass | Spirit Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline position | Follows The Wind Waker | Follows the establishment of New Hyrule |
| Primary setting | Unknown seas and the Realm of the Ocean King | New Hyrule and its spirit-track rail network |
| Immediate objective | Rescue Tetra after she disappears aboard a mysterious ghost ship | Restore the spirit tracks and keep an ancient demon locked away |
| Continuity type | Begins the voyage that contributes to New Hyrule’s history | Later adventure in the kingdom founded after that voyage |
| Hardware | Nintendo DS Game Card with DS touch-control design | Nintendo DS Game Card with DS touch-control design |
| Nintendo product-page release date | 19 October 2007, listed on Nintendo’s UK product page | 11 December 2009, listed on Nintendo’s UK product page |
The table’s setting and objective differences are exactly why the games can feel separate when played. Their connection is carried primarily by the timeline and the succession from the search for new land to the New Hyrule Kingdom.
What happened to Tetra and the search for a new Hyrule?
Tetra is Princess Zelda, and she is a central character in the setup of Phantom Hourglass. She travels with Link and her pirate band while they search for new lands. The game’s immediate story begins when she boards a mysterious ghost ship and vanishes, prompting Link’s rescue attempt with Ciela.
For the broader chronology, the key outcome is that this search contributes to the establishment of New Hyrule. Nintendo’s official history places that kingdom between the two games. In other words, the later setting exists because the earlier voyage led the characters toward a new homeland.
The retrieved first-party descriptions do not provide a complete account of Tetra’s later life or a detailed biography connecting every individual character across the generations. They establish the kingdom-level succession, not every personal event that occurred between the adventures. It is therefore accurate to say that Tetra and the search for new land are part of the chain leading to New Hyrule, while avoiding an invented account of what happened to each character afterward.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Why the games feel related even when the stories differ
Shared creative foundation
Nintendo’s Iwata Asks material describes the development progression from Phantom Hourglass into Spirit Tracks. The developers began with The Wind Waker as a foundation and carried forward the boat-play concept while developing the later game.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
That interview evidence supports two conclusions. First, Spirit Tracks was conceived as a follow-up project rather than an unrelated DS experiment. Second, the developers were interested in preserving a recognizable design lineage while changing the way players travel through the world.
Shared Nintendo DS identity
Both games were released as Nintendo DS Game Card titles and designed around DS touch controls. Their common hardware identity is not itself proof of story continuity, but it helps explain the familiar presentation and the way each game builds on ideas introduced by the other.
Different forms of travel
Travel is central to both adventures, but the method changes. Phantom Hourglass uses oceanic exploration and the Realm of the Ocean King as its defining context. Spirit Tracks replaces that seafaring emphasis with a rail network whose tracks must be restored. The shift reflects the move from an unsettled search for land to an organized kingdom with established infrastructure.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do you need to play Phantom Hourglass before Spirit Tracks?
No. Spirit Tracks has its own plot and immediate objective, so a new player can understand the train journey, the damaged spirit tracks and the ancient-demon threat without completing the earlier game.
Playing in release and timeline order is still the clearest way to experience the connection:
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
- Play The Wind Waker if you want the full lead-in to this branch of the Zelda history.
- Play Phantom Hourglass to follow Link and Tetra’s search for new lands, including Tetra’s disappearance aboard the ghost ship.
- Place the founding of New Hyrule between the two games when thinking about the chronology.
- Play Spirit Tracks as the later New Hyrule adventure.
If you only have time for one DS game, choose according to the type of story you want. The earlier title is the relevant starting point for the voyage and Tetra rescue. The later title is the choice for a self-contained adventure built around trains, spirit tracks and an ancient sealed threat.
What the release dates tell us
Nintendo’s UK product page lists Phantom Hourglass as a Nintendo DS Game Card released on 19 October 2007. The same type of Nintendo product listing gives Spirit Tracks a release date of 11 December 2009.
Those are publication dates for the games, not measurements of the in-world time between their stories. The roughly two-year release gap should not be converted into a claim that the fictional events are separated by exactly two years. Nintendo’s available chronology establishes sequence, while the precise story interval remains unstated in the cited material.
Recommended Free Tools
Common misunderstandings about their connection
“They must be the same adventure because both use Link”
Shared series identity and recurring names do not mean the plot is uninterrupted. The evidence for the connection is the New Hyrule succession and Nintendo’s timeline placement. The later game has a distinct premise and belongs to a later era.
“Spirit Tracks is unrelated because it has trains instead of boats”
The change in transportation is part of the setting’s development. The earlier game’s search for new land is followed by an established kingdom with a rail network. Different travel mechanics do not erase the historical link.
“There is an official exact year gap”
The retrieved official pages do not state one. Use “later generation” or “later era” rather than assigning a precise number of years.
“You must finish Phantom Hourglass to understand Spirit Tracks”
You do not. The later adventure has its own conflict. The earlier game is most useful for players who want to understand how the New Hyrule setting entered the chronology and why the two DS titles are grouped together.
The clearest way to remember the Zelda DS sequence
Think of the connection as a chain of cause and setting:
- The Wind Waker leaves Link, Tetra and the pirate band searching beyond the old world.
- Phantom Hourglass turns that search into a rescue adventure after Tetra disappears on a ghost ship.
- The search for new land leads to the establishment of New Hyrule.
- Spirit Tracks takes place later in that kingdom and follows a new crisis involving the spirit-track network and an ancient demon.
That chain answers the central question precisely: Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks share an official timeline and the history of New Hyrule, but Spirit Tracks is not a direct, uninterrupted continuation of the ghost-ship rescue plot.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
