Nintendo to hand out free DS stylus

To celebrate the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass on DS October 1, Nintendo is to reward its American fans with a free stylus modelled on a quill pen.

Gamers who buy the game and register the title and hardware on mynintendo.com and then fill out a short survey will automatically receive the new stylus, subject to availability.

Nintendo has officially confirmed the October release date for The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, the first Zelda game for the DS.

"Since 1987 The Legend of Zelda franchise has sold more than 52 million units worldwide," said George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications.

"The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass stays true to the richness of the console Zelda franchise while introducing new controls that allow veterans and first-time gamers to become fully immersed in the adventure."

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass will be released in the UK October 5, but Nintendo refused to comment on whether the free stylus promotion would be running in Europe.