Square returns to Nintendo systems

    Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun revealed in their Saturday morning edition that Square has finally reached a deal to return to Nintendo's systems after a five-year absence. The joint development project will be headed up by Square's Akitoshio Kawazu, who created the Romancing SaGa series and is part of the Final Fantasy development team. Funding will come from NCL's Fund Q, which Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi started to help advance GameCube development. Kawazu will start a new development team to develop games exclusively for the Nintendo systems. The new team, which will be called Game Designers Studio, should be in place by the end of the month.

    No specific titles were mentioned in the report, although it was mentioned that Square is already working on GameCube and GameBoy Advance titles. Square's statement that Final Fantasy XI will be released for multiple systems makes it a prime candidate for release on the GameCube, though it remains a PlayStation 2 and PC exclusive for now. Square has also previously stated a desire to release Final Fantasy V and VI on the Game Boy Advance, making these likely projects.

    The first GameCube and the GameBoy Advance titles from the agreement are scheduled for a 2002 release. These will be the first titles Square has released for a Nintendo system since they cut ties with the company in 1996.

    Sony was not available for comment.