Worms on DS, PSP

Team 17 is Worming its way to PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS through publisher THQ, the pair announced late on Friday.

According to oft-vocal studio director Martyn Brown, both versions will feature classic 2D Worms gameplay "as vociferously requested by our fans," and have been in development for some time. Release details are expected "much later in the year".

Both versions will also benefit from wireless multiplayer options, as well as the traditional hot-seat multiplayer and single-player games that work in short bursts.

Brown also said PSP owners should expect 3D backgrounds, zooming, and full-width 16:9 proportions, while the DS will use the touch-screen for map-scrolling, weapon controls and stats, but work better with the finger than the stylus "to make it better for hot-seat situations".

"The gamecode is all new for both editions and not a port of earlier 2D games," he added.

The titles have yet to be officially named by either Team 17 or THQ, but more details are expected to follow soon. Team 17's next 3D Worms title, Worms 4: Mayhem, is due out on PS2, Xbox and PC at the end of July across Europe from publisher Codemasters.