The Rumour Mine: SSX returns, Marvel vs Capcom 3, and Final Fantasy XIV on iPhone

It's so difficult to pin down iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad game release dates that it's practically a rumour when you discuss a game's release at the best of times.

Take SSX, for example. Here it is back on the radar having disappeared from EA Mobile's release calendar earlier this year. It's coming, but actually pinpointing the sucker is like pinning the tail on a donkey while blindfolded. And in a different room.

To be fair, there have been plenty of other games that have arrived at the advertised time. The upcoming release of Final Fantasy Tactics, for instance, has been set since June when Square Enix announced its September 15th release date. If only it could always be so easy.

iPhone companion app in the works for Final Fantasy XIV

Several massively multiplayer online role-playing games have dipped their toes in the iOS waters with companion apps, but none has proved particularly successful - not because the apps weren't any good, but because the games themselves weren't popular.

Final Fantasy XIV obviously won't have any trouble in that department, which makes the prospect of a complementary iPhone app notable.

The ability to log into your account, check your character, send messages to fellow players, and play mini-games isn't revolutionary. However, it could prove to be the first successful execution of the concept.

Square Enix hasn't said a word, but don't be shocked when the app appears on the App Store later this autumn.

EA Mobile prepping SSX iPhone for holidays

Nobody does sports simulations better than EA - have you played Madden NFL 11, son? - but there's something to be said for the publisher's series of arcade sports games under the hilariously titled EA Big label. It's where snowboarding series supreme SSX hails from, after all.

EA Mobile long ago announced work on an iPhone and iPod touch-specific instalment of the much-loved series, but it disappeared from the radar last winter. Enquiries lodged with the publisher were met with a firm "no comment." That's likely to change soon as SSX nears its rumoured winter 2010 release.

According to a source close to the studio, the game was pushed back due to a combination of development delays and a desire to wait for the announcement of new iPhone and iPod touch hardware.

The game wasn't going to make it onto the App Store before the end of winter 2009, so the decision was made to push it back a full year in order to catch winter 2010 and the new iPhone 4 and fourth-generation iPod touch.

And so here we are, September 2010 and SSX is once again back on the radar for this winter. While it's not clear if the game will be out in December (please!) or whether it'll have to wait until January, either way it's finally coming soon.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds coming to iPhone and iPod touch

Wipe that surprised look off your face - if Capcom was able to nail Street Fighter IV, why not continue the success with a new fighting game? Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds is still quite a ways off - spring 2011 - but that doesn't make it any less exciting a title.

As with Street Fighter IV, the Japanese publisher isn't planning on announcing the game until a couple weeks before its release to the App Store, which is why nothing has been said of an iPhone and iPod touch version.

Unlike Street Fighter IV, however, the game supposedly packs a larger roster of characters thanks in part to the attendance of Marvel personalities. Considering the small roster was one of the main complaints about Street Fighter IV, this is sounding better every minute.

Online multiplayer will not be supported, although Bluetooth matches will be offered, and that's just dandy. Training, Versus, Arcade, and Survival modes will also be included, but there's no word on whether a single-player scenario or Story mode will make the cut (probably not).