Grab your MechWarriors and get ready for the 32nd century - Majesco is bringing MechAssault to the Nintendo DS!

Publishers Majesco have announced today that they are bringing the MechAssault franchise to the DS in MechAssault: Phantom War. The game will be developed by Backbone Entertainment (the team who recently finished the DS turn-based strategy version of Age of Empires).

MechAssault: Phantom War brings the franchise to the DS in a third-person futuristic shooter. Players assume the role of a MechWarrior, an elite fighter trained to control the ultimate war machine of the 32nd century, the BattleMech. Gamers experience fast-action, 3D combat on the top screen, while the lower touch screen positions them inside the cockpit at the controls.

"MechAssault: Phantom War fuses the best game play elements from the series with new features that take advantage of the unique mechanics of the Nintendo DS," said Ken Gold, vice president of Marketing for Majesco Entertainment. "The touch screen lets players intuitively 'touch' the cockpit controls to hack into giant 'Mechs, eject pilots, switch weapons and check battle techniques."

Players will be able to command over 20 types of vehicles, including 'Mechs, Tanks, Turret and BattleArmor and wreak havoc on the enemy and environment with an arsenal of powerful, fully upgradeable weapons. There will be 24 single player campaigns across four planets and three exciting multiplayer game types, as well as a brand new story drawn from the popular BattleTech series (which spawned highly successful games like MechWarrior & MechCommander for the PC and MechAssault & Crimson Skies for the Xbox).

Use the touch screen to sneak into enemy territory, hijack enemy 'Mechs and wield the most secret weapon in the Inner Sphere, or play against up to four of your mates simultaneously in wireless multiplayer combat. Unlockable 'Mechs, maps and cheats will further enhance gameplay.

Many thanks to Joshua 'Owl Waxer' Orr for the head's up!

Update: We've now got five screens from the title for you to check out below:

Click for Screens (5 new)