Joe, he is your father

It's official: Shinobi is returning, with SEGA now unveiling the first screenshots and details of the upcoming 3DS title.

Players take control of Jiro Musashi, father of the 16-bit hero Joe, and must make use of melee combat, ranged attacks and ninja magic to restore peace to the Oboro clan, we assume.

The game will also make sure of StreetPass functionality and feature in-game achievements and challenges to unlock too.

The first full-length trailer and screenshots are here, with the full game set to launch in September. Shinobi fans, let your voices be heard in the comments below.

Shinobi is back in full 3D after eight years

LONDON AND SAN FRANCISCO – (May 26th, 2011) – SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced Shinobi™ exclusively for Nintendo 3DS™. Developed by Griptonite Games, Shinobi is the long anticipated return of the fan favourite series and includes the classic side-scrolling action gameplay players have loved since the original. Coming to stores in September 2011, Shinobi introduces several exciting new features such as StreetPass™ and a large assortment of achievements and challenges to unlock.

“For years the fans have been asking for a new Shinobi,” said Gary Knight, Senior Vice President of Marketing of SEGA West. “With Shinobi on Nintendo 3DS we’re able to answer their prayers and bring this legendary series to the next level.”

Shinobi tells the story of Jiro Musashi, the leader of the Oboro clan and father of Joe Musashi, the hero of the first iterations of Shinobi. Players will become a true ninja legend by mastering a brand new combo system switching between melee, ranged and acrobatic attacks. They will also need to rely on Jiro’s ninja magic to get an advantage over their enemies and get out of tight spots.

Shinobi will be released for Nintendo 3DS in September 2011.

[source blogs.sega.com]