In a partnership with Artematica Entertainment, publisher Black Bean has aquired the right to bring a new line of adventure games to players around the world, the first of which is the console rights to Diabolik: The Original Sin for the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS.

Diabolik: The Original Sin is a somewhat unusual blend of third-person combat and stealth and point-and-click elements, casting players as a master thief, Diabolik, as he sets out on a mission to rescue the love of his life, Eva. He’s your arcitype anti-hero, is Diabolik - he’s selfish, ruthless and a master of disguise, caring for nobody but his beloved, Eva.

“Diabolik: The Original Sin” features an unconventional character and graphic style, an immersive gameplay and a crime story rich in intrigue, love, vengeance and greed.

“Bringing Diabolik: The Original Sin to the market on multiple formats is a thrilling opportunity for us” – commented David Pain, General Manager of Lago/Black Bean Games – “We are delighted to be working with Artematica whose skill, creativity and track record in the adventure sector will ensure we deliver a great game appealing to adventure gamers and to a broader gaming audience”.

“After years of mutually profitable collaboration, we’re excited about this long-term partnership with Black Bean” - said Riccardo Cangini, CEO of Artematica – “finally an Italian joint-venture showing the skills and the determination required to obtain a relevant position in the international market”.

The screenshots above are for the also-in-development PC version of the game, but given the static background and stylised comic book frames based on the cult 1960s comic book, Diabolik, created in the 1960s, we imagine there won’t be too much difference between them and the console builds.

Diabolik: The Original Sin is currently scheduled for release in Autumn 2008.