Nintendo's next smartphone game is a big surprise

Update, 4.30pm: Following on from Nintendo's reveal of Dragalia Lost earlier today, a new trailer has emerged, offering a brisk look at the smartphone fantasy RPG, co-developed by Cygames, in action.

The trailer's primary focus is on scene-setting and ambience, but it does include a few snippets of gameplay. In among the fully voiced cut-scenes and anime flourishes, there's a glimpse at exploration in Dragalia Lost, and what appears to be an action-RPG-style battle system.

That's still not a whole lot to go on admittedly, but with Dragalia Lost's release pencilled in for this summer, there's still plenty of time to get the marketing wagon rolling in earnest.

Original story, 11.18am: Nintendo has announced a surprise new addition to its smartphone game release schedule: Dragalia Lost.

If the name doesn't sound familiar... well, it shouldn't. Dragalia Lost is a new action role-playing game co-developed with Japanese developer Cygames, of which Nintendo has bought a small stake. Artwork for the game shows a colourful, anime style.

Little else is known about the smartphone RPG, except that it will arrive at some point this summer. There's been no mention of whether the game will be a paid release or free-to-play.

Mario Kart Tour, Nintendo's other upcoming smartphone release, sounds like it will arrive afterwards, but still in 2018.

Dragalia Lost will mark the first time Nintendo has debuted a new franchise on smartphones. Earlier releases have all been tied to existing ideas or franchises: Miitomo, Super Mario Run, Fire Emblem Heroes and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. Here's hoping Dragalia Lost's microtransactions aren't quite as greedy.