I remember quite a few years back playing the original Age of Empires, and Age of Empires II. That was during my RTS phase that also included Starcraft and Warcraft II on the cheap Macs back in junior high, and then Age of Mythology when it came out (which, by the way, has a terrific soundtrack).

Why am I telling you all this? I’m not quite sure, but I like to share my own feelings of nostalgia that have been brought up by the announcement of Age of Empires: Mythologies for the DS. It makes me a little confused as to the naming, though. Is it Age of Empires? or is it Age of Mythology? Age of Empires: Age of Kings for the DS was a solid title that just needed a little more… stuff. Here’s hoping that Age of Empires: Mythologies (which will be using the same game engine as Age of Kings) can improve on the downfalls of its predecessor to give us a terrific RTS experience on our favourite handheld.

No official word about online play (the most notable missing piece from Age of Kings), though there’s a teasing line in the press release, “…single-cart game sharing, allowing players anywhere to go head-to-head worldwide.”

Worldwide, eh? They probably mean that any person who has the game can play against anybody, anywhere in the world (as long as if they’re within fifty feet of you). Full press release after the jump!

THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that Age of Empires: Mythologies is scheduled to debut on the popular Nintendo DS(TM) system in fall 2008. Inspired by the hit Windows PC series Age of Empires and developed from the ground up for Nintendo DS, Age of Empires: Mythologies will allow players to strategize as legendary heroes, commanding massive armies and shaping the destinies of three unique cultures in both single and multi-player campaigns.

“Age of Empires: Mythologies will combine one of the most successful Windows PC franchises of all time with the innovative style and controls of Nintendo DS, bringing a totally unique experience to handheld gamers,” said Kevin Kraff, vice president of global brand management, THQ. “With three playable civilizations, a fast-paced combat system and extensive multi-player options, Age of Empires: Mythologies will be one of the must-have tactical strategy games this year.”

About Age of Empires: Mythologies

Age of Empires: Mythologies is inspired by the hit Windows PC series Age of Empires and built on the Age of Empires: Age of Kings’ critically-acclaimed game engine. Featuring three playable civilizations with individual campaigns - the Egyptians, Greeks and the Norse - Age of Empires: Mythologies will allow players to lead mighty heroes and legendary monsters, call down divine powers of the gods, and change the tide of battle with an all-new active combat system. Age of Empires: Mythologies will also offer an immersive multiplayer experience with unique maps, customizable rules, a new skirmish mode and single-cart game sharing, allowing players anywhere to go head-to-head worldwide.