Konami Announces Castlevania Wii Fighting Game

In a surprising move, Konami has announced that the newest development in the two-decades-running Castlevania series will not be an action platformer but rather a fighting game. Entitled Castlevania Judgment, the game is in development for Wii, and is being helmed by longtime series producer Koji Igarashi, known as IGA to his fans. It is planned for release this fall. The game will feature 3D graphics - it was not specified whether the gameplay itself will be 3D - and will allow online play via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Motion-sensing will be incorporated into its control mechanisms. Igarashi is also working on the recently-announced Nintendo DS title Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, which follows in the vein of the series' established gameplay. That title will wirelessly interact with Judgment to unlock bonus content. Character design is being handled by manga artist Takeshi Obata (Death Note); series fan favorite artist Ayami Kojima was not mentioned.