Cave Story 3DS now due Nov. 8

Anyone excited for the August 9 launch of Cave Story 3D will have to cool their jets for a while. Today, publisher NIS America announced that the 3DS game has been pushed back until November 8. The extra time will be used to make "additional game improvements," according to the US arm of Nippon Ichi Software.

"We are currently undergoing improvements to enhance gameplay. Changes are in the small details, but in order to satisfy both the fans and the new players we need to make sure the game is done right. Please look forward to it this holiday season," NIS America producer Jack Niida said in a statement.

Today's delay marks the second time that Cave Story 3D has been delayed. In April, the game was pushed to its aforementioned August 9 release window from its previous June 28 berth.

Cave Story 3D will feature glasses-free stereoscopic 3D graphics but will still play like the 2D side-scrolling action adventure that inspired it. As the title's diminutive protagonist, players will find themselves in a cave with no recollection of the past but assurance that they must aid a group of adorable rabbitlike critters.

Originally known as Doukutsu Monogatari, Cave Story was first released as a free-to-play PC game in 2004. Developer Nicalis adapted it and released it as a WiiWare title last March, with a DSiWare edition following in November. Nippon Ichi has said it hopes the new 3DS version will "bring new life" to the game and make it accessible to expanded audiences.

For more on Cave Story 3D, check out GameSpot's latest preview.