2007 was a nostalgic year for me. I was only in sixth grade, and I didn’t have to deal with stressful adult responsibilities. More importantly, it was also the year when Phantom Hourglass was officially released in North America. I remember how elated I was when I heard about a sequel to The Wind Waker, even though the game was coming to the Nintendo DS. At the time, I never went anywhere without my Nintendo DS Lite, so I was looking forward to playing a new Zelda title on the go.
Looking back, though, I wish I had a proper carrying case for my console. I’m amazed my DS Lite remained in decent shape, despite it constantly being tossed around in my backpack. Needless to say, my poor console deserved better treatment. Eventually, I did obtain a proper case, but it wasn’t until recently that I discovered this particular Zelda carrying case that would have been quite useful to have back then.
To accompany the release of Phantom Hourglass, BD&A produced and manufactured a special Nintendo DS Lite Starter Kit Tin featuring Link. BD&A is a company known for producing Nintendo merchandise such as plush toys, action figures, and carrying cases. This Zelda carrying case was metal, and the interior consisted of a foam lining with grooves that held all of the essentials for your DS Lite.
The product features include:
- Silicon game cases
- Car adapter
- System wrap
- Replacement styluses
- Screen protectors
- Headphones
- Carrying case
I’ve seen this particular product listed on eBay and Mercari with prices ranging between $10.00 and $30.00, though I should mention that most of the listings I’ve come across were in used condition and did not include all of the original parts and accessories. It’s more difficult to find one of these starter kit tins in pristine condition, but they do surface from time to time. However, even without the product features, one can find other uses for the carrying case, such as a lunch box or a place for other small trinkets, as the foam lining is removable. Overall, it’s a nice, versatile item for any Zelda fan or collector.
Phantom Hourglass is 15 years old on June 23, 2022! We’re celebrating with dedicated articles all week.
