Oh, a Dolphin version would be so sweet! One of the few games I really loved on the PSX. Bring it on! Well Konami is rather tight lipped in this quick little interview on IGN64. Looks like Konami could have Dev. Kits, and workin' up some magic. All assumptions aside, Konami...serve me up some of that sweet ISS action too please. :)

As the buzz about Dolphin slowly starts gaining a smidgen of momentum, many N64 fans eager to make the switch to Nintendo's next system want to know which ducks the Big N has lined up to make the new console a success. While IGN64 is confident that big shot second party companies like Rare, Factor 5, Retro Studios and Left Field have development tools, we were curious about Konami's status in the great Dolphin dev kit derby.

Konami is a giant third party videogame corporation with development and publishing interests around the globe so it's not financially dependent on Nintendo like the companies mentioned above. However, with last fall's announcement that Konami and Nintendo were forming a joint company called Mobile 21 to develop software and Dolphin compatibility for Game Boy Advance, Konami took a significant step closer to Nintendo.

This Konami-Nintendo connection lead us to ask Konami of America one all-important question that we present to you now in its transcribed form.

IGN64: Do you know of any plans that Konami has for Dolphin?

Konami of America: Specific plans? No. But Konami has always been an agnostic game developer. We'll look at each system for its own merits and develop for it. Nintendo being Nintendo, you know, Konami has supported Nintendo for the longest time and we will continue our support of them.

IGN64: So you don't have any development kits.

KOA: (makes universal 'X' sign by crossing forearms, leans back in chair and glares at microphone.)

IGN64: Wow, we really love charades but we don't have a camera on you and this digital recorder can't capture the essence of what you're trying to say.

KOA: That one I can't say (laughs)

IGN64: No, no. See, it's a "yes" or "no" question. Or you can say that you don’t know.

KOA: This (question) is one of those where it's just like, uh-uh. (makes universal 'X' sign again, this time by crossing knife edged hands.)

And that is how it went. While we will stress that Konami of America has neither confirmed nor denied our assertion that the company has Dolphin development kits, IGN64 also recognizes the look of fear and nervousness that come packaged with a typical Nintendo non-disclosure agreement.

Konami would admit that it's enthusiastic about bringing its full lineup of sports franchises to the next generation Nintendo console. Many N64 gamers would probably be more interested in some of Konami's non-sports franchises that never made it to the console like Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill and even an updated Contra title.

"As for action games, that's always been one of Konami's strong points. So some of (the next generation titles) may be franchise titles," said Konami's Ken Ogasawara, "Who knows, one of our designers may create a new character or a new type of game. And we'll bring those over to the system. But none of that's been announced for (America)"

Nintendo suggested at its recent summit that third party support for the Dolphin will be tremendous. Howard Lincoln, who steps down as Chairman of Nintendo of America next week, didn't explain why he felt that way, but it's possible that he had Konami in mind when making those statements.