Arkadium, a developer for smartphone platforms iOS and Android, has announced a new title; unlike its usual games, which are all solitaire or mahjong based titles, this new game will be a platformer. Titled Release the Ninja, the game differs from other platformers on smartphones in that it is controlled entirely by native touch controls, meaning no virtual controls are required.

The trailer, which sets the premise of the game up, shows off some interesting, if standard, platforming design, and promises over sixty levels and ten abilities gained over the course of the game. The graphics look predictably happy go lucky, and there seems to be some emphasis on combat too.

It will be interesting to see how a platformer built for native touch controls that don’t rely on virtual inputs will be; it sounds like an interesting experiment that could either set the title apart and make it a gold standard, or one that could go horribly, horribly wrong.

Either way, we’ll keep you posted.

Kenny Rosenblatt of Arkadium stated, “These are the first games we are releasing as part of the multi-year, multi-game partnership with Microsoft Studios that we announced in January. We have taken strong evergreen titles and worked on transforming them into new experiences that make game play even more addictive and fun.”

The three in question are: Solitaire Collection, Minesweeper and Mahjongg. So let it not be said that Arkadium’s work won’t be recognised (though a good many may not know it was them who did it). But the new versions will also offer customized content, new modes of play and touch controls for devices.