Metal Gear Solid Touch on the iPhone?

Update: Konami has since confirmed Metal Gear Solid Touch for iPhone and iPod touch.

You might recall we shuffled toward the edge of our seats recently when a teaser picture cropped up from Konami, intimating that the next Metal Gear Solid game could be for the iPhone?

Well, we just fell off our chair as the evidence suddenly piled up. A picture (via The Escapist) of a Japanese gaming magazine shows Hideo Kojima fondling an iPhone in front of a Metal Gear Solid Touch poster.

Naturally we rushed back to the teaser website to find an extra layer of click, taking us to the same Metal Gear Solid Touch logo.

In the meantime, news broke that Konami has confirmed Metal Gear Solid Touch, circulating these screenshots in a press release.

And here's what Neocrisis claims is the press release:

"METAL GEAR SOLID TOUCH is an original game that brings to life the world and characters of MTAL (sic) GEAR SOLID 4 GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS (MGS4).

With direct control through the touch panel, it's simple for anyone to move their alignment or switch to zoom mode.

Each stage's location and characters are based on the story of MGS4. The initial download will contain 8 stages, with additional stages to be added later.

There are many ways to enjoy the game as points earned by clearing stages unlocks images and wallpapers from the METAL GEAR series."

We've been deliberating around the office about the possibility of UK developer Ideaworks3D being involved in the production, after its rip-roaring success with the mobile and N-Gage adaptations of Metal Gear Solid and the announcement that its AirPlay platform now supports the iPhone.

The danger of hoax looms heavy, so we're erring on the cautious side for now, but there's no denying that evidence is piling up to suggest Metal Gear Solid Touch will be Snake's first iPhone outing. Watch this space!