Pirates, ninjas clashing on Wii

Next week, the Internet may at long last gain some resolution in the burning conflict between pirates and ninjas. After weathering a series of delays since Gamecock first revealed Blazing Lizard's Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball last year, the Xbox Live Arcade party game will be available through Microsoft's downloadable service beginning on September 3.

To ride the coattails of that game's release, Gamecock said today that the pirates-versus-ninjas schoolyard brawl will spread to the Wii this winter. Gamecock notes that, rather than a mere port of the Xbox 360 game, the Wii version will include an all-new story and challenge modes, as well as several custom control schemes.

Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball is the first game from Blazing Lizard, which was formed in 2007 by veterans of such games as Saints Row, Red Faction, and Descent: Freespace. Up to eight players can square off in a variety of game modes. Players can choose from seven different contingents, including the titular ninjas and pirates, as well zombies and robots.

Gamecock did not specify whether the game would be released at retail or through Nintendo's original game-download service, WiiWare. The publisher had not responded to requests for clarification as of press time. For an idea of what to expect from Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball on the Wii, check out GameSpot's coverage of the Xbox 360 game.