Konami sheds light on Boktai DS

Konami's Boktai series is making its way to the Nintendo DS, albeit with a major change, according to the latest issue of Japanese magazine Koro Koro Comic.

The Boktai franchise made its debut on the Game Boy Advance in 2003 as a role-playing game developed by Metal Gear Solid series creator Hideo Kojima. Kojima's name drew attention to the title, but what really made it stand out was the game's built-in solar sensor. Users wanting to defeat the game's armies of darkness were aided by playing outside, where the cartridge's solar sensor would detect sunlight and charge the player's weapon in response.

Koro Koro Comic reports that Boktai DS takes a huge turn from its predecessors, as it drops the solar sensor in favor of an in-game sun. The sun, which will be displayed on the upper DS screen, will change in real time, so players will still be well served by playing the game during the day. After dark, a moon will be displayed on the upper screen, the number of enemies will increase, and players won't be able to recharge their energy. The game also simulates weather, so a passing rain cloud can block out the virtual sun and leave a player at a disadvantage, even in the middle of the day.

Konami has not yet announced a release date or price for Boktai DS.