Fatal Frame – also known as Project Zero – is one of the horror genre's most famous franchises. Created by Koei Tecmo, it began life on PlayStation 2 in 2001 but has more recently been exclusive to Nintendo hardware, as Nintendo has co-funded and co-developed recent instalments.

2008's Mask of the Lunar Eclipse was exclusive to Wii, while 2012's Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir was only released on 3DS. The most recent entry, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, arrived on Wii U in 2014.

With the series turning 20 this year, co-creator and producer Keisuke Kikuchi stated that he wanted to celebrate the milestone in some way, but that the decision was ultimately Nintendo's due to the fact that it has publishing rights to the franchise.

It turns out we are getting a new entry in the Fatal Frame lineage this year, but not in the form you might have wanted. It has been confirmed that a Japan-only pachinko machine is being released, with Yamasa Next in charge of development. The same company has produced other pachinko machines based on video games, including Tekken and God Eater.

Does this mean that a new console game is in the offing? Switch would be the most obvious platform given Nintendo's relationship with the franchise, and our fingers are firmly crossed that Koei Tecmo has an announcement to make later this year – but we have a feeling we might end up being disappointed.

[source gamespot.com]