Konami remaking Rocket Knight

Konami Digital Entertainment announced that Rocket Knight is currently in development for the Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network and for PC download via Steam. The popular 2D side-scrolling title first released on the 16-bit SEGA Genesis and later on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Rocket Knight debuts on next generation consoles fifteen years later with updated graphics and all new environments, while maintaining much of the core gameplay of the original.

In Rocket Knight, players take on the role of a fiery opossum named Sparkster who returns home to the Kingdom of Zephyrus after 15 years to find it in ruin. Using a rocket pack, players must steer clear and overcome a hostile wolf army looming to take the lives of the Zephyrus people. A 2.5D action adventure title, Rocket Knight brings new worlds, each with massive platform levels and a rocket flying level.

As players navigate through the challenges, their rocket pack can be used to ricochet off walls, launch Sparkster through obstacles and enemies in his way, and rocket drill through weak walls to create new passageways. Along with burst projectiles that shoot from Sparkster’s sword to attack distant foes, a burst vortex can also be created from players’ rocket pack to repel enemy bombs back at them. If all else fails, players can use Sparkster’s prehensile tail to hang from and slide down rails in order to avoid danger.

Rocket Knight is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and will be available for download in 2010.