2006 for Metroid Prime Hunters

Nintendo of America latest release schedule has revealed that its lynchpin DS title Metroid Prime: Hunters has slipped into next year. The news follows just days after it emerged that the GameCube's biggest hope for 2005 - The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess - has also been moved back into 2006.

The first-person shooter for Nintendo's handheld was originally scheduled for an October 2005 release, but has now been given an unspecified launch date of early 2006.

However, another Metroid DS title, Metroid Pinball, has been given an October 24th 2005 release, bundled with the new DS Rumble Pak add-on. This accessory fits into the GBA slot of the DS, providing gameplay triggered vibrations.

More specific US release dates were given to a number of other high profile DS titles, with Mario Kart DS coming on December 14th, Animal Crossing DS on December 5th, the newly named Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time arrives a week later than expected, on November 28th, along with Viewtiful Joe: Double Trouble in the same month. Less specifically, SBK: Snowboard Kids DS arrives in November, while Age of Empires: The Age of Kings and Bust-A-Move are both expected in January.

With no Zelda to look forward to, Cube fans have less to get excited about than expected. Mario Party 7 (be still our beating hearts) has jumped from November 21st to the 7th, while the Capcom-developed Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble only gets a vague November listing. Super Mario Strikers (now known as Mario Smash Football in Europe) will be released on December 5th; following its European launch November 18th.

Game Boy Advance/Game Boy Micro will gain new titles, including Lego Bionicle: Maze of Shadows on September 13th and Rayman Classics in the same month, while Ford Racing 3 and SRS: Street Racing Syndicate will both arrive on October 4th. Other previously unannounced game, Dr. Mario/Puzzle League will launch December 5th.

GBA will also get Donkey Kong Country 3 on November 7th, with Mario Tennis: Power Tour (previously Mario Tennis Advance) getting a December 5th street date.