If there were any doubt of Apple's intent to crack the burgeoning portable game market, today the former fruit company dispelled any lingering shards with their most lucrative grab yet. Confirming rumors that Hideo Kojima's popular Metal Gear Solid franchise would be experimenting with another platform (the most popular thought being the Xbox 360), Konami today revealed that a newer, smaller version titled Metal Gear Solid Touch would be hitting both the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch platforms in March 2009.
With eight levels available at launch (and plans to download more later), Konami's entry into the world of Apple gaming follows the trend of more traditional gaming developers (most notably Sega and Squre/Enix) pushing content onto Apple's growing platform base, which has seen digital gaming among its most popular download options via the touted Apple Apps store. Keep reading for more details on the announcement...!
According to reports the iPhone/Touch versions will include much of the content of the recent Metal Gear Solid 4, although don't expect the technological theatrics there were on display in the PlayStation 3 version. The game will primarily be a first-person shooter, although Hideo Kojima explains that much of the intrique and suspense of the franchise will be on full display. Calling this version a "simple MGS", the unique control mechanism of Apple's platform should make for some interesting gameplay decisions, if not a more straightforward experience.
Sources are indicating that Konami is also set to publish other marquee franchises for Apple's portable duo, including Silent Hill: The Escape, Dance Dance Revolution, and even Frogger. WIth the Metal Gear Solid franchise being one of the bright spots on any platform it finds itself on, this can only be considered a win/win for Apple, and perhaps another blow (at least to the ego) for Sony, whose own PSP was the previously recipient of portable Solid Snake adventures.
Big thanks to IGN!
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