Joe Danger heading to iOS, Android

Colourful indie stunt racer Joe Danger is coming to iOS and Android, developer Hello Games has announced.

Speaking in an interview with Gamasutra, studio boss Sean Murray explained that it's a "new game" built "from the ground up" and won't just be a slapdash virtual D-pad port.

"I think games that people love on the iPhone have something in common - their controls are made for the device," he explained.

"Swiping in Temple Run, slashing fruit in Fruit Ninja or pulling back a catapult in Angry Birds are controls that are best on a touchscreen. I hate the virtual D-pad, it never feels right to me. It feels like something that only exists to make porting games easier.

"Joe Danger is a game with a lot of depth to the controls. We want to make very much an arcade game on your mobile. You swipe the screen to make Joe wheelie, you nudge him in the air to affect his gravity, you can flick a barrier out of the way, or wrestle with the shark in the shark tank. You have such control that levels that would be impossible on console are much easier on the touchscreen."

There's no word on a release date, but an early build is playable at the PAX East event in Boston this weekend.

Hello Games is also working on a full console sequel to its 2010 PSN hit, due for release later this year. Check out Eurogamer's Joe Danger: The Movie preview for more on what to expect.