Top Gear shifting onto DS

The Top Gear series is revving up to make its debut on a new system. Tantalus Interactive today announced that it is developing Top Gear: Downforce for the Nintendo DS, and that Kemco will publish the game upon completion.

Previously, Kemco and Tantalus worked together on Top Gear Rally for the GameBoy Advance (although it was ultimately published by Nintendo). Tantalus has prior experience developing for the DS with SpongeBob SquarePants: The Yellow Avenger.

The developer is promising that the game is being built "from the ground up" to take advantage of the DS's hardware features. In addition to support for wireless multiplayer and data sharing, the game will have a top-down view of the action with 3D models and players will be able to use the touch screen to drop hazards across the track.

Top Gear: Downforce isn't scheduled for release until late this year, but more details will be unveiled next month at the Electronic Entertainment Expo.