Nintendo making all-new Mario game for mobile phones
Super Mario Mobile Battle will be out this summer
Microsoft has dipped its toes in the mobile waters with licensing deals for Xbox franchises like Project Gotham Racing, and Sony is hawking its popular PlayStation brands to mobile publishers. But what about Nintendo?
Well, the Big N doesn't like to be left behind. It's just announced ambitious plans to develop and publish its own mobile games, based on its most popular console franchises.
First up: Mario. And better still, it's an all-new game for mobile, rather than a retro port.
The game is called Super Mario Mobile Battle, and it's out this summer. The basic ingredients are the same - jumping, coins, turtles - but Nintendo is promising some mobile treats, including use of the camera (although it's not saying how yet).
The game will also see the debut of a new character for the Mario universe, Loof Lirpa, with a range of cunning attacks and menacing quips.
We can't wait. What's more, Nintendo is getting all Web 2.0 about the game, leaking an early gameplay video online. Watch it here, and let us know whether you think Super Mario Mobile Battle will be a success.
