Kingdom Hearts 3D confirmed for North America in 2012

The twisted and torturous turns of the Kingdom Hearts series will continue on Nintendo 3DS in 2012, Square Enix has announced, confirming that Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] will indeed be released in North American and Europe too. The new adventure is said to be "the opening chapter of the final conflict" of the current KH "saga."

"With the tenth anniversary of the series on the horizon, the current Kingdom Hearts saga is approaching its climactic conclusion," director Tetsuya Nomura said in the announcement. "The story of this game will serve as the opening chapter of the final conflict, and, as always, will be full of surprises."

"With its revolutionary new game system, this title will not only be a bold, exhilarating tale of adventure, but also a first look into the future form of the KINGDOM HEARTS series," he added.

Returning characters Sora and Riku will be "dual protagonists," both coming under your control, and will venture to new Disney lands such as La Cité des Cloches from 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame.'

Dream Drop Distance will support Nintendo's strange Circle Pad Pro, if you have a strange hankering for the peripheral.