The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass will arrive in Japan later this week on the back of a near-perfect score from esteemed Japanese mag Famitsu. Link’s first appearance on Nintendo’s DS handheld has become only the seventeenth game in over two decades to score 39/40 in the publication; only six games have achieved a perfect score, and just one DS title (Nintendogs) has attained a higher mark.

In comments translated by 1UP.com, the four reviewers who covered the title seemed to reserve special praise for the puzzles, with one noting, "The way it allows players to use the unique features of the DS is quite natural. Particularly puzzles where you draw directly on the map are brilliant. It feels like you really are physically solving the puzzles."

Meanwhile, the introduction of stylus-based controls doesn’t seem to have done much harm, with another reviewer voicing his admiration for the accessibility of the interface. "It is so easy to pick up!" he enthused, adding that, "There have been many games using the stylus, but this one didn't feel frustrating for the most part."

Best of all, our import copy is on the way. Hurrah!