The latest tidbits on Square Enix's interesting new DS sports title - Mario Basket 3 vs 3.

Thanks to Famitsu and IGN, we can bring you the latest news on Mario Basket 3 vs 3. From the name it is easy to gather the game features two teams of three playing against one another. The top screen displays the on-court action in full 3D, while the bottom screen shows an overhead perspective with characters appearing as 2D icons.

While the D-pad is used to move your player around, the stylus is utilised for dribbling, passing and shooting. Swiping the screen left or right passes the ball, while swiping it up while near the hoop will hopefully get your shot to score. Dribbling is performed by tapping the touch screen to bounce the ball - the faster you do it, the faster you dribble. Touching different parts of the screen allows your character to turn on the spot.

Many people wondered how Square-Enix, famed for their brilliant RPGs, got to developing a basketball game featuring Mario. Apparently development on the title started within Square-Enix without Mario characters, but once the game began to take on a Mario sports title form, the company approached Nintendo to collaborate.

This means not only will we expect the usual gang of characters available to play as, but also typical Mario items will feature - item blocks, coins, etc.

Characters will each have a special move, complete with special stylus command to perform it. As for what characters will be in the game, the developers aren't saying, though screenshots so far have shown Mario, Luigi, Peach, Wario, Koopa and Bowser.

You'll be able to team up with your friends for local wireless play, and download play will be available for your mates who don't have a copy of the game. More as we get it.