Z.O.E officially bound for Game Boy Advance

[06.27.01] » The portable version of Konami's mecha franchise gets a name and release date.

   Online retailer NCS today confirmed previous rumors that Konami will release a Game Boy Advance installment in its Zone of the Enders franchise.

   NCS reports that the game will be titled Z.O.E 2137 Testament, while GameSpot VG lists it as Z.O.E 2173 Testament. Depending on which date is correct, the GBA game will either be take place before the direct-to-video animated movie Z.O.E 2167 Idolo or directly after the PlayStation 2 game set in 2172. The latter concept seems more likely, as it provides a follow-up to the cliffhanger ending of the PS2 title. (A comprehensive Z.O.E timeline through 2172 is available on the official Z.O.E site.)

   GameSpot VG also reports that Z.O.E 2173 Testament will be developed in-house by Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, the developers of the original Z.O.E game for PlayStation 2. Previous rumors had pegged third party Winkysoft as the developer.

   According to NCS, Z.O.E 2173 Testament is due out September 27th in Japan at a price of 5800 yen ($47 US). More details on the game will likely come at Nintendo's SpaceWorld show this August.