Japanese platformer Umihara Kawase to get 3DS sequel

Japanese magazine Famitsu announced (via Polygon) that a sequel to the cult series Umihara Kawase is in the works for the 3DS. The sequel is called Sayonara Umihara Kawase.

The 3DS sequel may be just as tough as the original SNES title.

Japan game import enthusiasts may be familiar with the name. It was a series of 2D platformers starring a young girl who had to navigate a surreal fish-themed world using her fishing line and hook as a grappling hook, much like Rad Spencer's arm in the Bionic Commando series from Capcom.

The first game was released in 1994 for the Super Nintendo, followed by a sequel called Umihara Kawase Shun, which came out in 1997 for the PlayStation One. Both titles have been ported to the PSP and DS, in 2008 and 2009 respectively. The series has never been made available outside of Japan, though the PSP version was close to being localized in English under the title Yumi's Odd Odyssey.

The game will focus on the titular character, now 20 years old prior to the PlayStation sequel. The original staff members of the first game, which include designer Kiyoshi Sakai and character designer Toshinobu Kondo, will reunite to finish development on the sequel.

Sayonara Umihara Kawase will be out in Japan this summer for 4,980 yen ($53). There is no word on whether the sequel will be localized in English.